Albano Laziale is a city in the suburbs of Rome that has been the home of some of the capital's most important families since ancient times. There is one of the largest archaeological sites in the country with preserved fortifications, baths and catacombs.
In Roman times, Albano Laziale was home to the villas of many senators and representatives of the aristocracy. The city was surrounded by walls and was an important trade and craft center. Today, it is home to one of the largest archaeological reserves in Italy. It includes, among others the remains of the city walls with the Porta Pretoria gate, the amphitheater, the Cellomaio Baths, the water cistern, the Pompeian villa, tombs, catacombs where the first Christians were buried in the 2nd century, and the 7th century basilica of Santa Maria della Rotonda standing on the site of the Roman nymphaeum.
In medieval times, Albano Laziale became part of Church property and was incorporated into the Papal States. This did not stop its development, on the contrary, more palaces and villas began to appear in the city, in which church dignitaries and representatives of the aristocracy lived for part of the year. A dozen or so city palaces and numerous villas from the 14th to 18th centuries have survived to this day. Within the old town, you can also see many churches, including a baroque cathedral.
