Introduction

Alatri is located on a little hill on the slopes of the Ernici Mounts. It is a village full of art and history, it is part of the Ciociaria and it is universally recognised as the "City of Cyclops" due to the exceptional state of conservation of one of the most famous ancient architectural examples in Italy. We are talking about the Acropolis of Civita, symbol of the "megalithic cities" situated in Lazio. During the pre-romantic age, Alatri represented a powerful stronghold occupied by the Ernici, an ancient population who dominated the mounts named after them and the adjacent areas. Its historic centre is characterised by several alleys typically mediaeval which unknot around the Acropolis. These alleys are enriched with ancient squares and noble palaces like the Gottifero Palace situated in Cavour Street 5, which includes the headquarters of the Civic Museum, and the Conti-Gentili Palace, situated in Roma Street at the street number of eight. There can be visited two two marvellous monumental fountains, both dating back to the Nineteenth century: the Pia Fountain situated in Piazza of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Church Fountain, in Umberto Street, near the Church of Saint Francis.