VILLA MANNI IN CICILIANO

Casa Manni is a historical residence built on top of the ancient thermal baths located in the archaeological park of Trebula Suffenàs. The complex stands at an altitude of 600 metres above sea level, on the slopes of the hill on which Ciciliano is located, in the locality of Ospedale Santa Maria Maddalena, southwest of the Passo della Fortuna and to the right of Via Empolitana (13 km from Tivoli).

The centre of the ancient Roman city of Trebula Suffenàs is nestled in a thicket of oaks and holm oak trees that extend for about 4 hectares along a terraced terrain. The archaeological park includes a forum, administrative offices, thermal baths, three Roman basalt roads, mosaics and the remains of a perfectly preserved temple.

THE HISTORY OF VILLA MANNI

We owe the discovery of the remains of the ancient city of Trebula Suffenas, starting from 1948, to the deep passion for antiquity and the local territory of Corrado Manni, the architect behind the excavation works carried out during the construction of the Villa in Ciciliano, along the via Empolitana to the east of Tivoli and between the Ruffi and Prenestini mountains.

The remarkable archaeological findings of what turned out to be the heart of this inhabited centre, thanks to Franco Sciarretta's studies in the 1970s, are enshrined in the garden lying on a gentle slope near the Passo della Fortuna, a crossroads of fundamental – and fortuitous, as its name suggests – importance for the ancient transhumance routes that were present there and for connections with Tibur (Tivoli) and Praeneste (Palestrina), and therefore with Rome.

Founded by the Suffenates, Trebula was conquered by the Romans at the end of the 4th century B.C. and in the early 1st century B.C. it was elected as a municipality and duly grew in importance, protected by the noble Plautii Silvani family, which had close ties with the imperial family of Augustus.

Large sections of roads, a paved square bordered by a square wall (believed to have been the Forum), and a series of buildings related to a domus datable between the Republican era and the end of the Empire, are preserved here and are now visible alongside the structures of a thermal complex. This consists of a series of rooms, the most important of which is an apsidal hall whose walls were covered in marble and a black and white mosaic floor, decorated with mythological scenes and sea monsters, a section of which was detached and placed in front of the Fountain of Proserpine at Villa d'Este in Tivoli.

A large number of archaeological materials were embedded into the modern walls, given the taste for all things antiquarian and in line with the style of the time, resulting in its extraordinary appearance and framing the antique vestiges which the Manni Family, firstly Valeria and now Francesca, have tended and embellished in situ with dedication and affection.

The Park is now open to the public for visits of Trebula, as the owners’ intention is to ensure this highly important testimony is restored and rooted in its territory, representing a strong asset for its future economic and cultural development, in the hope that research activities related to this significant archaeological site may be resumed.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES AT VILLA MANNI IN CICILIANO

GUIDED TOURS

The centre of the ancient Roman city of Trebula Suffenàs extends over approximately 4 hectares along a terraced terrain. The archaeological park includes a forum, administrative offices, thermal baths, three Roman basalt roads, mosaics and the remains of a perfectly preserved temple. Tours and guided visits can be organised of the archaeological park.

PRIVATE EVENTS AND WEDDINGS

Trebula Suffenas is an ideal place to celebrate private events and charming weddings. It is possible to celebrate your civil or religious wedding in the romantic chapel of S. Maria Maddalena in this unique setting.