Rocca di Papa’s Mayor, Massimiliano Calcagni, has unveiled an ambitious plan to reclaim the summit of Monte Cavo, which potentially may help with the restoration of the sacred space surrounding the temple of Jupiter Latiaris. In an exclusive interview on Monday, November 6, the mayor highlighted the municipality’s commitment to preserving the historical and cultural significance of this ancient site.
Council of State Ruling and Antenna Removal
The mayor’s initiative follows a landmark legal decision in August by the Council of State, the ultimate authority in Administrative Justice. The ruling dismissed an appeal from IDA Spa, the company that contested a demolition order issued in 2003. The order, initiated during Mayor Carlo Ponzo’s tenure, aimed to remove antennas that were deemed incompatible with the landscape and historical value of the summit. With the recent ruling affirming the illegitimacy of certain antennas, Rocca di Papa is now poised to restore the sacred space to its former glory.
Historical and Panoramic Significance
The judicial decision emphasizes the incompatibility of intrusive pylons with the historical and archaeological richness of the area. Monte Cavo, with its panoramic views of the eternal city and the Pontine islands, has been a site of strategic and religious importance throughout the history of the Latin and Roman civilizations. The temple of Jupiter Latiaris, perched over 940 meters above sea level, served as a focal point for the confederated Latin cities, hosting annual festivals and playing a pivotal role in the peace brokered by Tarquinius the Superbus between Rome and the Latins.
Restoring the Temple of Jupiter Latiaris
Mayor Calcagni’s restoration plan may help to revive the sacred space around the temple site, emphasizing its unique historical and cultural significance. The temple, a testament to the Latin peoples and later the Roman civilization, held a strategic position on the summit of Monte Cavo. The Via Sacra, a preserved steep path leading to the temple site, further underscores the historical importance of this sacred site.
Cultural Continuity and Preservation
The temple’s history is intricately linked with the peace established between Rome and the Latins, leading to an annual festival at the temple. Despite the transfer of the cult of Jupiter Latiaris to Rome with the rise of Rome, a visual connection was maintained with the ancient sacred mountain of the Latins. The Capitoline Hill in Rome, home to the temple of Capitoline Jupiter, retained a visual axis with Monte Cavo, emphasizing the enduring cultural significance of this sacred space.
As Rocca di Papa prepares to remove non-essential antennas, the initiative reflects a dedication to preserving the historical and cultural legacy of this unique site for future generations.
Images courtesy of Marco Rufo, COVER snc. and website proromanis.eu
