Abandoned Villages: The Ghost Town of Monterano

The abandoned city of Monterano is located in the province of Rome, about 50 km away.

To reach it, you arrive at the town of Canale Monterano and then take the road to the left of the main church; follow the signs for the Natural Reserve and venture along a partly unpaved road that leads to the entrance gate of the ghost village: no bars, shops, or restaurants… only silence, art, and nature to admire.

The History of Monterano

The area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. Later, it was land of the mysterious Etruscans, who consecrated it to Manth, god of the underworld. From 390 B.C., the Roman Empire took control, as evidenced by a Roman mausoleum and cliffside burials. After the fall of Rome, Monterano passed under Byzantine rule and became an episcopal seat thanks to its strategic position.

The city was abandoned at the end of the 18th century, due to a malaria epidemic and the French occupation, which exploited a dispute with nearby Tolfa. The remaining inhabitants fled to Canale, giving rise to today’s Canale Monterano.

What to See in Monterano

Arriving at Monterano feels surreal: Bernini’s works blend perfectly with the wild nature surrounding them.

The Roman aqueduct greets visitors.

The Baronial Palace of the Altieri family, redesigned by Bernini, still shows its charm.

Bernini also created the whimsical Fontana Capricciosa, with a lion sculpted as if striking the rock to release water.

Other highlights include the Octagonal Fountain and the Convent of San Bonaventura, now the symbol of Monterano, alongside its church reclaimed by vegetation.

The Monterano Natural Reserve offers trails, the sulfurous Diosilla waterfall, and ruins such as the Church of San Rocco, Porta Gradella, and the Cathedral’s bell tower.

Monterano and Cinema

This ghost town has fascinated filmmakers worldwide, serving as a set for nearly a hundred films. From Ben Hur to Pasolini’s The Gospel According to St. Matthew, from Brancaleone alle crociate with Vittorio Gassman to Il Marchese del Grillo with Alberto Sordi, Monterano has been immortalized in Italian and international cinema. More recently, it appeared in Luna Nera and Le 3 rose di Eva.