Rambles in Rome: An Archæological and Historical Guide to the Museums, Galleries, Villas, Churches, and Antiquities of Rome and the CampagnaForbes, S. Russell
History
Rambles in Rome: An Archæological and Historical Guide to the Museums, Galleries, Villas, Churches, and Antiquities of Rome and the Campagna
Forbes, S. Russell
Art -- Rome; Rome (Italy) -- Guidebooks; Rome -- Antiquities
On the plateau at the east end of the lake, to our left of Nemi, his
excellency Sir John Savile Lumley, the British ambassador, has
recently made some most interesting excavations--uncovering the vast
area of the Temple of Diana at Nemi, and at the same time discovering
numerous objects of interest, which proved without doubt to whom the
shrine was dedicated.
The front of the temple was formed with a portico of fluted columns,
and its rear was towards the lake, so the temple faced east. The whole
Artemisium shows traces of many restorations, not the least
interesting being that made by Marcus Servilius Quartus, consul A.D.
3, whose tomb is on the Via Appia (Tacitus, "A." ii. 48; iii. 22).
When Iphigenia, priestess of the Temple of Diana at Tauris in the
Crimea, fled with her brother Orestes, they carried off the statue of
Diana, to whom all strangers cast on the coast were sacrificed, and
founded a temple near the Lake of Diana, now Nemi, on the Alban Hills
(Ovid, "Ep." iii. 2; "Met." xv. 485). "The temple is in a grove, and
before it is a lake of considerable size. The temple and water are
surrounded by abrupt and lofty precipices, so that they seem to be
situated in a deep and lofty ravine" (Strabo, v. 3, 12).
THE FOUNTAIN OF JUTURNA.
This issues from the hill under the village, and serves the mill on
the border of the lake. "Tell me, nymph Juturna, thou that wast wont
to minister to the grove and looking-glass of Diana" (Ovid, "F." iii.
260). "The springs by which the lake is filled are visible. One of
them is denominated Juturna, after the name of a certain divinity"
(Strabo v. 3, 12).
_A ramble through the woods brings us to the adjoining lake at
Palazzolo_, which is generally seen in the distance from the opposite
side of the lake.
PALAZZOLO.
"And near, Albano's scarce divided waves
Shine from a sister valley."
_Situated on Lake Albano, or it may be reached from Albano or Marino
by other roads passing round the Lake Albano._ It is a Franciscan
monastery. In its gardens is a tomb supposed to be that of Cneius
Cornelius Scipio Hispanus, B.C. 176.
_A path through the woods leads up to Monte Cavo._
THE ALBAN LAKE
is 150 feet below Lake Nemi. Its outlet conducts its waters to the
Tiber. This lake also occupies the crater of an extinct volcano; it is
six miles round, and of unknown depth. The outlet was made at the time
the Romans were besieging Veii, B.C. 394, to lower the waters which
threatened to flood the Campagna. It is 1509 yards in length.
_Situated on the bluff overlooking the lake is_
CASTEL GANDOLFO,
formerly the summer residence of the popes. Its palace was erected by
Urban VIII. This palace, and the charming situation, are its only
features of attraction.
_On the opposite shore, which can be reached either from Palazzolo, or
by a path from the Albano or the Marino end of the lake, is the
supposed site of_
ALBA LONGA.
Built by Ascanius 1152 B.C., destroyed by Tullus Hostilius 666 B.C.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account