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Cori is an ancient town, located 50 km south of Rome and surrounded by olive trees
and vineyards. According to the myth, it was funded by Dardanus, who escaped
with Aeneas after Troy's destruction. Excavations at the top of the Acropolis
reveal that the site has been inhabited since the 8th century BC.
The urban structure dates back to 6th-5th century BC. Polygonal defensive walls were built around Cori's hill, which is also naturally protected by two ditches. This technique was improved and used during the following centuries to build large walls on the slopes of the hill to support the Acropolis, the Forum, the market and the residential area of the Latin town which then became Roman, as well as the houses, the medieval churches and, finally, the Renaissance palaces. Each epoch has left important traces that can now be found in the medieval alleys. On the Acropolis, the ruins of the temple of Hercules overlook the Pontine plane, from the Circeo promontory to the Pontine island, up to the slopes of the Albani hills. The Roman round towers rise above the town wall and can be seen walking downhill from piazza Signina. Further down, between Cori Monte and Cori Valle, opposite the town hall lies the medieval church of S. Oliva funded over the remains of a Roman temple and the 15th-century Augustinian cloister housing the archaelogical museum. In the middle of Cori Valle, lies the square of Pozzo Dorico. The Roman bridge Della Catena, the medieval arcade and the 14th-century Annunziata chapel are also relevant historical sites. Pozzo Dorico This ancient square can be reached through some narrow porticoed alleys. It was built over the remains of a Roman building. On one side, it overlooks the roofs and the plain below, on the opposite side, it is delimited by a 9 meters high wall, over which rise the bell tower and the medieval church of SS. Salvatore. Opposite the church there are two Corinthian columns and the remains of the cella with traces of the Dioscuri temple's mosaic floor (early first c. BC). Church of S. Oliva The church of S. Oliva was built in the thirteenth century over the remains of a Roman temple, which can still be seen on the façade. At the end of the fifteenth century, an Agustinian monastery was built around the church. S. Agostino chapel was also built on this occasion. The frescoes of the apsis and the barrel vault may be dated back to the first half of the 16th century. The capitals in the upper order were made by Antonio da Como in 1480. The Temple of Hercules The temple is located on the eastern side of the large polygonal area (4th-3rd c. BC) which once housed the Acropolis. Today's remains of the doric temple are the pronaos and the fine door of the cella decorated with a dedicatory inscription, dating back to the 2nd century BC. According to the tradition, the temple was built in honour of Hercules, but from the discovered materials it appears that it was originally dedicated to a female deity. In 1899, the temple was declared National Monument. The Oratory of SS. Annunziata The tiny room with barrel vaulted roof, declared National Monument, was built in the second decade of the fifteenth century. It is covered by three cycles of frescoes painted in the first half of the century. Italian wines - Wine producers - Cantina Cincinnato Cincinnato - The History Cincinnato - The Wine Cellar Cincinnato - The Members The Territory - Cori The Territory - The Vineyards The Territory - The Vines Our Wines - Selections Our Wines - Classic Wines Our Wines - Organic Wines Our Wines - Special Products Recognitions News Order Info How To Reach Us Contact Us Italian version |