Ariccia | ||
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Comune | ||
Comune di Ariccia | ||
Ariccia and Vallericcia
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Location of Ariccia in Italy | ||
Coordinates: 41°43′N 12°40′E / 41.717°N 12.667°E | ||
Country | Italy | |
Region | Lazio | |
Province / Metropolitan city | Rome | |
Frazioni | Cecchina, Fontana di Papa | |
Government | ||
• Mayor | Emilio Cianfanelli (PD) | |
Area | ||
• Total | 18 km2 (7 sq mi) | |
Elevation | 412 m (1,352 ft) | |
Population (31 May 2015) | ||
• Total | 19,449 | |
• Density | 1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi) | |
Demonym(s) | Ariccini or (dialect) Aricciaroli | |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
Postal code | 00040 | |
Dialing code | 06 | |
Patron saint | St. Apollonia | |
Saint day | February 9 | |
Website | Official website |
Ariccia (Latin: Aricia) is a town and comune in the Metropolitan City of Rome, central Italy, 16 miles (25 km) south-east of Rome. It is in the Alban Hills of the Lazio (Latium) region and could be considered an extension of Rome's southeastern suburbs. One of the Castelli Romani towns, Ariccia is located in the regional park known as the "Parco Regionale dei Castelli Romani".
Ariccia is the center of a region that was extremely important in Roman and pre-Roman mythology and religion because of its association with the goddess Diana and the god Virbius. Legend also recalls that it served as a temporary burial place of the Greek hero Orestes. Ariccia was one of the oldest cities of ancient Latium, and as the leader of the Latin League was a serious contender against Rome during the early days of the Roman Republic.
In modern times, Ariccia has become famous for its porchetta, pork that is slowly roasted with herbs and wild fennel, and it has been known since historical times for its wine. The comune of Ariccia includes the frazioni of Vallericcia and Fontana di Papa. It is bounded by the communes of Albano Laziale, Castel Gandolfo, Genzano di Roma and Marino Laziale.
There is a connection between the town's name and Aricia, the wife of Hippolytus (Virbius), the Roman forest god who lived in the sacred forests near Aricia. According to a vague reference by Caius Julius Solinus, Ariccia was founded by Archilocus Siculus ("Archilocus of the Siculi" or Sicels) in very ancient times.