| History
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 Il primo varco di accesso al paese Montasola and the surrounding area still show clear
traces of ancient Roman settlements. Numerous funeral inscriptions and
two epigraphic fragments mentioning Novum Forum emphasize its
Roman past. In the Piani-Marmi area, near the left shore of the Aia
Stream and along a narrow ancient route, can still be seen ruins of some
Roman funeral monuments. The first inhabited center used Roman structures,
too, that probably belongs to a rustic villa (Curtis de Lauri). During the early Middle Ages, near the ruins of the ancient settlement,
the monks of the Abazia di Farfa joined the area. They tilled the soil
and, so, they favoured the birth of a new inhabited area, located on
Monte Asola (now called Monte San Pietro). At the beginnings of the X century, however before
year 936, the Curtis de Lauri was taken from the monastery and on the
site was founded the Castellum de Lori. From the XII century, this castle depended directly on
the Holy See, which, in 1191, collected the population under the Castrum
of Montasola, founded on august 11 of the same year. In 1278 his
inhabitants vowed fidelity and homage to Pope Nicoḷ III. Montasola rebelled against the pontifical dominion
during the second half of the XIV century, so much to be declared 'terra
bandita' (banished land) After having been occupied by Luca Savelli, on April
the 16th 1368 the castle became Feud of Francesco Buccio Orsini.
Montasola remained in the hands of the Orsini family until the beginning
of 1400 when it was assigned to Battista Savelli. In 1501 the castle was
seized by Pope Alessandro VI and definitely bought by the Apostolic
Chamber in 1592. A Hospital was built at the beginning of the XVIII
century. In November 1817, with the final re-arrangement of the
Territorial Order of the Sabina province and of the Rieti delegation,
Montasola, with 431 inhabitants, was part of the Torri in Sabina
Municipal District [Comune di Torri]. Montasola became autonomous
municipality in 1853 (Comune di Montasola). Entering the historical center of Montasola you walk
through the medieval gate. Beside stands the castle tower, built on a
circular plan. |
