Civita Castellana

Civita Castellana, the ancient "Falerii Veteres", already inhabited int he 9th century B.C. This ancient capital of the Faliscan territory rebelled against Rome and was destroyed by Furio Camillo. The Romans made it a colony, transferring it five kilometers to the northwest, changing its name to Falerii Novi. This had a brief life and fell under the first barbaric invasions. Overall what remains to see are the of the ponderous city wall with entry dedicated to Jove and the Abbey of Santa Maria in Falleri, located within the site (unfortunately only open occasionally, but even from outside it is worth a look). The ancient Via Amerina reached Faleri Novi, and a paved part that reaches the city wall is still visible.
After the fall of Falerii Novi, the survivors returned to the more defensible site of Civita Castellana, which prospered, especially under the Borgia government. To this period date back the Porta Borgiana and most of all the Forte Sangallo, the other heavy fortress designed by Antonio da Sangallo "il Vecchio", who was succeeded by his grandson called "il Giovane". Since then, other than a military building, the fort became a papal residence equipped with every comfort. In the 19th century, however, it was used as a prison. Today the fortress is home to the Archaeological Museum of the Faliscan Countryside, in which there are remains from all over the region, especially of Etruscan origin and of great value (it is definitely worth a visit).
Not to miss are also the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore and the the Cosmati Duomo. The Ionic-columned portico is Romanesque, decorated with precious mosaics; the interior was restructured in the 18th century but holds the original Cosmati-style pavement. Going along the historic center, you arrive at Piazza Matteotti, at then center of which you can admire the Fountain of Dragons, commissioned in 1585 by Pope Gregory XIII Boncompagni. Also facing the piazza are the 16th-century Palazzo Comunale, the 18th-century Palazzo Morelli, and the Church of San Pietro, today known as San Francesco, from the 12th century.
Civita Castellana is famous today for its ceramics industry. Its inhabitants have transformed a very ancient tradition into the primary economic resource of the city, especially in the area of sanitary ceramics. The Museum of Ceramics, located within Palazzo Petroni Ambrosilla, is also interesting.