Italy, Anagni

Famous since the pre-Roman time of the Ernici, freed by the Romans in 306 BC., the sacred and political center of Anagni is located in the acropolis. The town was originally protected by ‘cyclopedian’ walls, then this was replaced in Roman times by the technique of "Servian" walls (IV-III sec. A. C.). A very interesting feature of the city area is called "Arcazzi", three large arches supported by pillars isolated from the walls, to which they were somehow re-attached. 'Anagnia' was the summer home of the emperors Marcus Aurelius, Comodo, Lucio Settimo and Caracalla who has conferred the title of City. But the true brilliance came during the eleventh century when Anagni was the centre of international politics of the Middle Ages and of the life of the papacy, especially thanks to the Caetani family. It is endowed with the birth of four great popes: Innocent III, Gregory IX, Alexander IV and Boniface VIII and was also an official residence of the Popes. Here they found a prestigious safe haven and for this it is called the "The City of Popes". In 1160 during the battle between Alexander III and Frederick Barbarossa, the Pope called a meeting of the cardinals and prelates to excommunicate the emperor, the antipope Victor IV and their supporters. But the most famous episode is that of the 'Slap of Anagni' received by Pope Boniface VIII in 1303 from Giacomo Sciarra Colonna in the fight against the French King Philip IV the Fair. The city is dominated by the imposing medieval cathedral, dating back to 1074, with an imposing side wall and the three apses. The interior, with three naves, has a mosaic floor made by Master Cosmos and his children. From the side aisles you descend into the beautiful crypt of San. Magno, with cycles of frescoes by Benedictine masters providing evidence of the transition from the Byzantine to the Romanesque painting technique. Along the main street leading from the door of the cathedral is a historic reverse path from modern to medieval times, you can note the Barnekow palace. Every year the city hosts an important Festival of medieval and Renaissance Theatre ' which takes place in the famous landmarks (among others, the Bonifacio VIII Palace, Casa Barnekow, Sala della Ragione).