Municipality between the hills of the province of Rome, situated in a dominant position over the Tiber Valley, the area of Monterotondo was inhabited since ancient times, as confirmed by the excavation of exhibits of the Upper and Middle Paleolithic Ages. In pre-Roman times this area served as a trading point between the Latin centers of Numentum and Crustumerium and further south with the Sabine settlement of Eretum and to the north, the right of the Tiber, with other settlements inhabited by Etruscans, Capenati and Falisci. Although the current town was founded during the Middle Ages, the name has clear Latin origins and derives from "Campum Rutundum," referring to the rounded shape of the hill, where the first settlement was built. Despite the recent archaeological discoveries confine the ancient city of Eretum in the district of Colle del Forno (municipality of Montelibretti), the historical memories continue to assign its location near to Monterotondo and for this reason its inhabitants are called Eretini.
From the XIII century, Monterotondo shared the historical vicissitudes of the noble Roman families who held the lordship, precisely, the Orsini up until the early XVII century, the Barberini, the Grillo and, finally, the Boncompagni.
Sites of Interest:
- the charming old town of medieval origins, which developed following the natural slope of the Colle Ginestra;
- the Basilica of Santa Maria Maddalena, built in the XVII century, in which are preserved several relics of saints and paintings of the artists C. Maratta and G. Crescenzi and a beautiful frescoed ceiling of D. Pistrini;
- the Church and Convent of the Capuchins;
- the Church of Our Lady of Grace with its single nave plan, preserves within some really valuable artworks, including a Holy Family of Savonnanzi and a beautiful altarpiece in Caravaggio style;
- the Church of San Rocco, with a miraculous portrait of Our Lady;
- the magnificent Baron Palazzo Orsini- Barberini, today seat of the Town Hall, with rooms finely painted by Calandrucci of Palermo, by the Flemish artist Brill and by Girolamo Sciolante of Sermoneta;
- the Archaeological Museum, inside which are preserved relics from the excavations of Eretum, Numentum and Crustumerium;
- the Clock Square with Palace of the Prior;
- Porta Garibaldi, a national monument, known as Porta Romana, which was changed into its current name after the city's conquest by Garibaldi, October 26, 1867;
- the Nature Reserve of Macchia della Gattaceca and Macchia del Barco.