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About This Work
This detailed topographical engraving depicts the city of Palestrina built into the slopes of Mount Ginestro. The layout clearly shows the urban structure integrated with the monumental ruins of the ancient Roman Temple of Fortuna Primigenia, including the semi-circular theater-like terrace at the summit. A decorative cartouche sits in the lower-left corner, while a comprehensive Latin legend in the upper-right identifies key churches, gates, and historical sites.
Athanasius Kircher was deeply fascinated by the architectural and mystical history of Palestrina, where he spent time studying the 'Nile Mosaic.' This map, published in his work 'Latium' (1671), represents Kircher's efforts to reconstruct the grandeur of ancient sacred sites and reconcile classical history with 17th-century topography through his unique polymathic lens.
Inscriptions(Italian)
PRÆNESTE URBIS LATII Vetustissimæ exactißima descriptio. Anto. Agapito Ber nardini pittore. Locorum principalium per literas descriptio. A I S. Francisci P.P. Reformatorum B Temp Annunciata C I S. Mariæ in Trullo D I S. Cæsary E I S. Rosaliæ F I S. Antony P.P. Carmelitarum G I S. Andreæ monaster. H I S. Ægidy I I S. Agapiti Ecclessia Cathedralis K I S. Hieronymi L I S. Stephani M I S. Mariæ de Angelis monastier. Virg. N I S. Crucis P.P. Cappuccin. O I S. Luciæ 1. Palatium Ill.mi & Ex.mi Principis Barberini sub forma theatri ubi quondam Templum Fortunæ,.. 2. ubi olim Pharus in Navigantium Salutem extructa 3. Basilica Aemiliæ juxta Templum fortunæ... 4. Palatium Episcopale, ubi olim erat pavi- mentum Musico opere elaboratum. 5. Porta S. Francisci 6. Porta del Sole 7. Porta S. Crucis 8. Porta S. Martini 9. Porta Ulæ 10. Porta S. Casary 11. Porta S. Mariæ 12. olim Piscina Templ. Fortu.
Translation
PRÆNESTE A most accurate description of the most ancient city of Latium. By the painter Anto. Agapito Ber nardini. Description of the principal locations by letters. A Church of S. Francesco, of the Reformed Fathers B Church of the Annunziata C Church of S. Maria in Trullo D Church of S. Cæsary E Church of S. Rosalia F Church of S. Antony, of the Carmelite Fathers G Monastery of S. Andrea H Church of S. Ægidio I Church of S. Agapito, Cathedral Church K Church of S. Hieronymo L Church of S. Stefano M Monastery of S. Maria de Angelis of the Virgins N Church of S. Croce, of the Capuchin Fathers O Church of S. Lucia 1. Palace of the Most Illustrious and Excellent Prince Barberini in the form of a theater, where once was the Temple of Fortune... 2. where once a lighthouse was erected for the salvation of sailors 3. Basilica of Aemilia next to the Temple of Fortune... 4. Episcopal Palace, where once there was a pavement elaborated with mosaic work. 5. Gate of S. Francesco 6. Gate of the Sun (Porta del Sole) 7. Gate of S. Croce 8. Gate of S. Martino 9. Gate of Ula 10. Gate of S. Casary 11. Gate of S. Maria 12. Once the cistern of the Temple of Fortune
Connected Texts
Athanasius Kircher, Latium (1671)
This map was produced for Kircher's chorographic study of the history and topography of the Roman countryside.
Provenance & Source
Object
Engraving
map
Digital Source
Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Athanasius Kircher: Latium. Id est nova et parallela Latii tum veteris tum novi descriptio … Amsterdam 1671
Public domain
1794 × 1407 px
858c7625f9eef0781d67e6dfda6265b9092833bb
March 1, 2009
March 24, 2026
Linked Data
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