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The Rocca and the Palazzo dei Monaci (Monastery)
The palazzo is on two floors with underground tunnels carved into
the soft tufa rock. The first floor is
divided by wide arches made of tufa, now closed up. These were originally used
as shops, grain stores, dispensaries and stables. The corridor leads into
an internal courtyard from where the upper floor can be reached. This floor was
used as living quarters for the monks and possibly their guests.
Casa Galilei was an annex built onto the main building as guest quarters and is
contemporary with the main building (i.e. 16th century). The restoration work
exposed a suspiciously pristine ‘chimney’ shaft leading up to the main
monastery building that the monks may have used to eavesdrop on their guests.
The palace was inhabited by monks until the late 18th century. After
that, it was used first as a communal residence, then a school and finally was
sold into private hands in the 1970s. At this time, many artists moved out from Rome to take up
residence, attracted by the picturesque surroundings, the pace of village life
and the lower prices. The
building was not the subject of any general renovation plan until recently,
but has now received funding from the European Union and a massive restoration
project is under way that affects Capena's whole historical centre. |
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This building occupies the site of a pre-Roman Etruscan
burial ground. It first gew up as a fortified stronghold or 
Maps drawn up during restoration work carried out in 1851 describe the
purpose of the various rooms. The rooms along the front of the building
overlooking the square were for entertainment: loggia, reception room, dining
room, etc. Service quarters and guest rooms were located to the west.
To the south there were rooms for the monks, and their chapel.
