Happy TravellerWelcome to Marino, a charming city located in the Lazio region of central Italy. Situated on the Alban Hills, just 21 kilometers southeast of Rome, Marino is a hidden gem that boasts a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and mouthwatering local cuisine. With a population of 37,684 and a territory of 26.10 square kilometers, Marino is bounded by other communes, including Castel Gandolfo, Albano Laziale, Rocca di Papa, Grottaferrata, and Ciampino.
History:
The territory of Marino was inhabited by Latin tribes from the 1st millennium BC. The ancient cities of Bovillae, Mugilla, and Ferentum were part of the Latin League. Under the Roman Republic, it was a summer resort for Roman patricians, who built luxurious villas in the area to escape the heat of Rome. In 846 AD, Bovillae was destroyed by the Saracens, and the population moved to the more easily defendable area of Ferentum, which was fortified under the new name of Marinum. From 1090, it was a dominium of the Counts of Tusculum, and later a fief of the Frangipane and, beginning in 1266, the Orsini. In 1272, San Bonaventura founded the first confraternity of Italy there. In 1347, it was besieged in vain by Cola di Rienzo. Fifty years later, it was the site of the battle between Alberico da Barbiano and the French troops supporting Antipope Clement VII. In 1419, it was bought by the Colonna, who maintained it until 1914. Marino hosted famous historical figures, from Charles VIII of France to Alfonso II dEste and many others. Vittoria Colonna was born in Marino in 1492 and lived there for part of her life. In 1571, Marinos people welcomed Marcantonio Colonna, a protagonist of the Battle of Lepanto, with a triumph, remembered yearly by a festival. It was visited by the Anglo-Irish aristocrat James Caulfeild, 4th Viscount Charlemont on his mid-18th century Grand Tour; he later named his estate of Marino, Dublin after it, and built the Casino at Marino for his home. It became part of Italy in 1870. On 14 March 1880, the railway Rome-Ciampino-Marino was opened for service. On 1 April 1906, an electric tram line replaced the former. In 1954, the electric tram line was replaced by buses. On 2 February 1944, during World War II, Marino was heavily bombed by USAAF B-25 aircraft from the US XII Air Force. In 1974, Ciampino became a separate comune.
Main Sights:
Basilica of San Barnaba: This 17th-century basilica is in Baroque style, with an imposing façade dating to 1653, and a Latin-cross plan with a nave and two aisles. Among other works of art, it houses the Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew by Guercino and a bust of St. Anthony Abbot by Ercole Ferrata.
Church of the Santissima Trinità: This church was built in 1640 and houses a Mystery of the Holy Trinity, now recognized as from a pupil of Guido Reni.
Santa Maria delle Grazie: This church has a single nave with side chapels. It is home to a painting of St. Roch attributed to Domenichino and, in a niche at the high altar, a fresco attributed to Benozzo Gozzoli (15th century).
Chiesa del SS. Rosario: This church was built in 1713 and is an example of Rococo art.
Palazzo Colonna: This 16th-century palace is a must-see for history buffs.
Fontana dei Mori: This fountain depicts prisoners from the Battle of Lepanto.
Mithraeum: This site features an important fresco (2nd century AD) portraying the God Mithras slaughtering the bull.
Festivals:
Grape Festival: Every 1st Sunday of October, Marino celebrates its famous Grape Festival. For about one hour, some of the city’s fountains spill wine instead of water, recalling the memory of the old vintage and the historical event of the return to Marino of Marcantonio Colonna with 260 Marinesi from the Battle of Lepanto (7 October 1571).
Doughnut Festival: Every 2nd Sunday of October, Marino celebrates its Doughnut Festival. The doughnut (ring-shaped cake) made with flour, raisins, and must (grape juice) is a typical product, a marinese cake, of limited production, only in the time of the grape harvest, a tradition based on a 17th-century recipe.
Sports:
Marino Calcio 1926: This football club is a source of pride for the city.
Twin Towns:
Anderlecht, Belgium
Boulogne Billancourt, France
Hammersmith, United Kingdom
Neukölln, Germany
Zaanstad, Netherlands
Paterna, Spain
Irving, United States
Nafpaktos, Greece
Famous Citizens and Residents:
Vittoria Colonna, poet
Giacomo Carissimi, musician
Alessandro Crescenzi, footballer
Domenico Pacini, physicist
Orlando Fanasca, footballer
Roberta Gemma, pornographic actress
Luca Ippoliti, futsal player
Giuseppe Ungaretti, poet
Umberto Mastroianni, artist
Anton Giulio Majano, film director
Emidio Pesce, racing driver
Hans Werner Henze, composer
Jacoba of Settesoli, disciple of St Francis of Assisi
Come and discover the hidden treasures of Marino, a city that is sure to capture your heart and leave you with unforgettable memories.
