the history

The site where the Cornazzano Estate stands has a historical value that is difficult to find in other places in the world. It has been inhabited by man since prehistoric times and even today bronze and iron objects dating back to ancient civilizations can be found on its grounds. During the Etruscan period, the site of Cornazzano was right at the center of communications between the nearby and powerful Etruscan cities of Vulci and Cerveteri. Many Etruscan tombs can still be found, in particular the oldest ones such as the so-called “upside-down barrel” and “cylinder” tombs. With the conquest by the Roman civilization, Cornazzano took on the structure of a castrum used at one time for the defense of the ancient communication routes (Cassia – Claudia) and for agriculture. It was in this period that the great hydraulic engineers of ancient Rome built the underground aqueduct and the large circular cistern, still in situ and perfectly functioning. During the Middle Ages, Cornazzano became one of the oldest fiefdoms in Lazio, elevated to a county as early as 1250 AD. The territory belonged to the Orsini Princes Family and then to the Gabrielli Princes Family, which died out in the 19th century. In the last 100 years it first belonged to the Ferrari Marquis Family of Collesape and subsequently and still today belongs to the Gargallo Marquis Family of Castel Lentini. Since ancient times, therefore, and still today, the Cornazzano Estate has a historical tradition that sees a succession of civilizations and historic families in the care and management of these enchanted places, just 20 km from the center of Rome.