and out of it with the same name and passing through the Playâ—… many Aâ—…ms and Branches are drawn from it to overflow the fields whereby they become most productive of Grass Hay Corn c. It hath some minerals of Iron and Copper It s chief Town is Brenna towards the end this vale divides it self into two parts one whereof exteâ—…s to the County of Tirolâ—… the other reaches the valley Tellina The second is the Vale Troppia which takes its commencement 6. miles off the City and extends it self 20. miles long to the North circumscribed with Mountains and washed with the River Mâ—…la In some places t is narrow and â—…is most 〈◊〉 nearest the City wherein 10. miles off the City is the rich and Noble Castle and Town Cardone much talked off for the good Harquebuses there made It affords Iron Mine and that gives cause of the Iron works there built The last is the Vale del Sole 22. miles long conjoyned with the other through which passeth the River Chiese which issues from the Lake Iseo washing it for 10. miles space affording good Fish especially Trouts here also are some Iron works This Vale divides it self into many Branches by many 〈◊〉 tâ—… and in many places is well and neatly planted with Vines and fruitfull Trees These two last Vales are in the power of the Venetians and produce Soâ—…ldiers of great gallantry The whole Brescian Territory affords neer 800000. Souls besides what the City it self contains The first and shortest way from BRESCIA to MILAN Going out of Brescia by the gate San Giovâ—…nni for Milan are seen â—…caglio Pontoi so called from the similitude of Ponto Oglio the River which washes that Castle Walls Then Martinengo Triviglio and Cassano much famed for the mortal stroke there received by Ezzelino the Tyrant of Padoua from the Romans on the right hand the Campagna Giare di Adda then the Castle Caravaggio head of all the Giara di Adda strong by site and Art rich and abounding Here in the yeer 1422. they fable an appearance of the blessed Virgin where she reposed they dugg a Well whose Waters are good for all infirmities there also they erected a most stately Church At Cassano you repass the River Adda then travaling 10. miles arrive at Cassina the white Hostery then 10. more to Milan this way from Brecia to Milan is accounted 50. miles long The second Voyage but longer from BRESCIA to MILAN THis way is more straight and long than the other which they take out of the Gate San Nazario and at 20. miles end arrive at the Orzi Novi whence passing the River Oglio they come to the most noble Castle Soncino where in Winter time they make a certain pleasant Bread with Almonds they also make Latten Candlesticks the Inhabitants are both Civil and courteous This Castle is endowed with the Title of a Marquisate and belongs to the State of Milan over the Gate whereof are set the Arms of Spain In Soncino the Tyrant of Padeua Ezzelino would needs dye born of Saxon blood and 70. yeers old who having received a mortal wound in one Knee from the Army in Cassano would not permit them to dress the wound nor apply any remedy where he unhappily and Meritoriously abandoned this Life five miles farther lies Romanengo and so much more far Crema which on the East is washed by the River Serio This Crema was antiently one of the four principal Castles of Italy but is at present a City and an Episcopal Seat t is placed in an ample plain fortified with Rampants and Ovals well enriched full of civil People replenisht with Houses abounding with human necessaries and under the Government of the Venetians The Domo the Tower the Piazza and the Palace of the Podesta are worth a visit The Podestà which the Venetians commissionate thither governs 46. other places here the women get well by whitening sowing thread and weaving of Linnen Cloth Thence passing the River Torno 10. miles farther is Lodi Laus Pomponia by the â—…omans a great City on the side of the River Ada famous for the Cheese made there not much inferiour to the Parmisen then Malignano a Castle honoured with the Title of Marquisate of the Noble Family of the Medici at Milan and so to Milan this way is 62. miles long All which way is like a Garden the high-ways streight Level on both sides whereof run chanels of Water on each side of which are planted Trees up which run their Vines and the Fields are some Meadows and the rest yeeld plenty of Corn. The third Journey from BRESCIA to MILAN by the way of BERGAMO PArting from Brescia by the Gate San Giovanni passing the Torrent Mela are seen the Castles Cacaglio and Palazzuolo afore named and on the other side of the River Oglio the Village Malpaga built in a fayr plain by Bartolemeo Coleone of Bergamo who there ended his days at 76. yeers of Age and was buried in Bergamo In honour of whome for having been the most valiant and faithfull Captain of the Venetian Army is erected his Statue on Horseback gilt all over with a Marble Basis before the Church San Giovanni and Paolo in Venice On the left hand lies Orgiano and S. Maria of Basella a Church with a fayr monastery for preaching Fryers whence passing a Noble Bridge over the River Serio you arrive at Bergamo 30. miles from Brescia BERGAMO THe City of Bergamo is so antient that its founders are not known yet some avert they were the Orobii which in greek signifies Inhabitants of the Mountains Giovanni Annio of Viterba with Giovanno Chrisostomo Zancho much labour to demonstrate and prove the Antiquity of Bergamo and wherefore so named by many etimologies of the word as well in Greek as in Hebrew and in the end conclude it to be thus called in Hebrew which in Latin sounds Inonditorum clypeata civitas vel Gallorum Regia Urbs quae a Graecis Archipolis a recentioribus autem Latinis tum princeps tum Ducalis Civitas appellari solet And a little further say Igitur Bergomum Regalem ve terum Gallorum urbem extitisse nomen ipsum manifestissime docet Others are of opinion that â—…was first built by the Tuscans and afterwards restored and enlarged by the Galli Cenomani Its Country towards the East is plain sertile and productive of Fruit. On the North and VVest rugged Mountainous and barren T is rendred a very strong City by those thick walls which inviron it and those bulwarks and other engins of War which for its detence against Enemies the Venetians have erected T is small and seated on the side of the Mountains It hath two Burroughs conjoyned with it where they have raised stately edifices as well for Divine worship as private Citizens habitations In one of which is yeerly kept a Fayr which begins on the day of Saint Bartolemo and continues for many days whither
holy conversation whom Cardinal Federick his Nephew succeeded a worthy imitator of his Uncle Before a Palace near the Porta Lodivica is an Altar of Marble Stones where on one side is earveâ—… Diana Luci fera as Cicero calls her with a burning Torch as Lucillus writes in his Satyrs Et Regyna videbis Maenia tum Liparas facelinae templa Dianae For this Godess was in this manner adored in the Island Lipari and at its Feet is a Blood-hound with the eyes towards the Goddess on the other fide is Apollo Medico leaning on a Tripode with a Bow in his right hand and a quiver of arrows hanging at his shoulder near his feet a Scepter and the Serpent Pitone who is therefore called by the Poets Pitio Citaredeo before the said Altar may be read this inscription AEsculapio Hygiae Sacrum C. Oppius G. L. Leonas VI. Vir. Aug. Honoratus In Tribu GL Patrum liberum Clientium Adcensus Patroni Sanctissimis Communicipibus suis. DD. Quorum Dedicatione Singulis Decurionibus * III. Augustalibus * II. Et Colonis Cenam Dedit L. D. D. D. There are in Milan II. Collegiat Churches 71. Parochials 30. Convents of Fryers and 8 of Regulars 36. Monasteries of Nuns 32. Confraternities or Fryeries which with diverse others amount to 238. Churches with 120. Schools where Boys are instructed in Christian Doctrine and other Learning It hath therefore worthily attributed to it the name of Milan the great and the estimation of one of the four great Cities of Italy that is Roma Venetia Milano Napoli and Autonio Callo reckons it one of the ten greatest of Europe it well may be accounted and taken for the greatest of any Metropolis in a Dutchy Going forth of the Gate Camasina towards the North and the Mountains at 25. miles distance one arivies at Como which reaâ—… affords nothing worthy observation but the Town Bersalina where Saint Peetro the Martyr was slain by the Hereticks and in that place where he wrote the 12. Articles of Faith with his blood there is a Grott where they continually digg Earth and yet it appears no hollow Over that place they pretend likewise to see a great splendour which God sheweth for the glory of that holy Body there inhumanly slain COMO COmo is a City famous for the genteelness of her Citizens and flourishing Muse of Paolo Giovo is seated in a Plain environed with Mountains and near the Lake Lario or Como within which and opposite to Como is a small Town built as it t were in a Peninsula and at the lower end thereof stands a Palace where the abovenamed Paolo had embellished a Library with a noble collection of Books and the pourtrays of the most illustrious persons as is expressed in his books called gli Elogii but at present there remains nothing of it more than certain pictures upon the Walls The Images Books Robes of Prete Janni King of AEthiopia the Bowes and other Arms of the Antipodes with many other curiosities not else where to be found and of good valew are removed thence to the Palace of the Giovii within Como in the Dome or Cathedral Church on the left hand is erected the sumptuons Tombe of Benedetto Giovo the famous writer in the City likewise may be read many epitaphs and writings testifying their antiquity and constant fidelity to the Rouâ—…an Common-Wealth The Lake Como is 36. miles long and somewhat more than three miles broad upon which when calm the Citizens in their boats recreate themselves near the end stands the Fountain of Pliny and Belacio a Palace of the Signori Spondati invironed with spatious Gardens which are adorned with fair Arbours and the Walls clothed with Gessamines Roses Rosemary and other sweets together with some Woods of Juneper Trees which harbour all sorts of Birds Ten Miles distant from Milan and between it and Como stands the stately Castle Monza which is washed by the River Lambro It was amplified by Thedorick first King of the Goths and Teodolinae the Queen there erected a magnificent Temple dedicated to Saint John the Baptist endowing it with great riches among others with a Saphyr of inestimable price a Brood Hen and Chickens of Gold and many other vessels of Gold therein also are preserved many reliques in Vessels given to it by San Gregory Then appears Somasca upon the Mountains a Town often named for the Original of the Religious order of the regular Priests of Somasca a little more forward you see near the Banks of the Lake Como the impregnable Castle Leaco whence you passe by water to Como and then advancing a little farther the Traveller cometh to the Country of the Grizons through which runs the River Adda On the left hand of Monza rise the Mountains of Bianza which afford most excellent Wines and three miles distant from Monza on the right hand lies a well-manured Campagna wherein Francesco Secundo Sforza defeated the French Army commanded by Lotrecco where after the death of many thousand Souldiers on both sides he obtained a glorious victory On this fide also before the arrival at the River Varo the boundary of Italy appears the small River Martesana an Arm of the Adda which runs under the Gorgongiola over which stands a Bridge whence they descend to Milan and thus we have described the places on the Eastern Part. Issuing out of the Gate of Milan Vercella towards the West you meet the compleat Town Ro near by which passeth an Arm of the Tesino to Milan on the other side of which Rivolet is Ensalaro with many other Castles whence taking the right-hand way you arrive at the Lago Maggiore at the very source of the River Tesino which goes to Pavia near which stands Angiera whence the Signori d' Angiera now Viscounts take their rise Then at 17. miles distance from Milan upon a Mountain being as t were one of the Boundaries to the Lake appears the devout Temple of Santa Maria del Monte whither resort great concourse of People to obtain their requests from God at the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary Then passing the Tessino you find Viglebia a new small City but fair where stands the magnificent Palace called the Ssorzesca so named from Lodovico Sforza Duke of Milan who built and gave it to the Religious Order of the Dominican Fryers who to this day possess it From whence on the right hand way lies Novarra and the Country Lemellina and on the left hand the Castle Mortarra heretofore called the fayr Wood but afterwards from the great slaughter of the Longobards there made by Charles the great sighting with Desiderius their King it was named Mortara On the same side also is the Castle Valese and the Town Vatalle under the Mountains where in burnt Earth is effigiated the Sepulchre of our Saviour with all the mysteries of his passion in divers little Chapels to which much Application is made with great
third book of the Roman history whence issuing forth by an obscure breach he at unawares put to sack the quarters of the Captain Clodiâ—…s and of the rest who were at the siege who never conceived the least thought of it Whither at this day any subterranean wayes or caverns leading from the Vineyards to the mouth of the Mountain are found out I cannot tell Pighius assuredly tells us that he observed at the top of the mountain about the mouth certain vents whence proceeded a continual heat wherein putting his hand he perceived clearly a heat although small and without smoke or vapour but our Country man Raymond observed in his view there a certain hill rising in the midst of the Vorago that still vomits thick smoke which he saies the fire within hath raised within few years that it dayly encreaseth and when grown to a fuller bulk Caveat Neapolis Thus much touching the Vesuvius Between the mountain Vesuvius and Attella in the Mediterranâ—… are scituate Mereliano Acerra and Sessola at present ruinated of old possessed by the Camps of the Leborini where the Romans and the Samnity fought most fiercely hither reach those mountains of Capua called by the Antients Tisata and those that extended towards the Mole Northwards here is Forche Caudino and other Castles with many inhabited places among which the chief is the Castle of Aciola at the foot of these mountains lies Caserta the City and Country of the great Cardinal Santorino called Santa Severina near which lye Maddalone Orazano and Argentino Behind Tifata on the back of the Mountain is scituate Sarno flowing with waters by means of the River Sarno which there takes its rise these are mediterranean places about Naples and Campana whence you go to the Marca The Kingdom whereof Naples is the Metropolis coÌ„menceth from Latium that part where the River Ufente runs into the Terreno Then towards the Apenines it passeth to Terracina thence to Frigella or Ponte curvo Ceperano Rieti Tagliacozze a Ducal City and Matrice where Trent begins its source Then follow the way along the River for eighteen miles to Colonia de gli Ascolani where the River dischargeth it self into the Adriatick Sea that part of the Kingdome opposite to the Promontory called of old Leucoperta now Capo Dell'armi respecting Sicilia is distant from Poggio forty eight stadii each of which contains 125 paces whose head is called Tarlo T is 418 miles of way to go by Terracina Bossento and Reggio towards Naples This Kingdom of Naples is one thousand four hundred and sixty eight mile in circuit whereto some have assigned ten provinces others nine others seaven and we thirteen The Terra di Lavoro taking in Naples hath three Arch-Bishops twenty five Bishopricks one hundred sixty six Castles surrounded with walls and one hundred and sixty Towns the Principality named Di quà on this side hath twelve Cities two hundred and eighteen Castles the Principality Di là beyond eleaven Cities one hundred forty and one Castles the fairest among which is Consa La Baâ—…ilicata hath ten Cities ninety three Castles the fairest Venesa La Calabria di quà hath ten Cities one hundred sixty two Towers and Villages La Calabria di là wherein is Reggio hath sixteen Cities and one hundrd and thirty Castles The Province of Otranto hath besides Brindesi thirteen other Cities and one hundred fifty eight Castles or Towns The Province de Bari hath fourteen Cities and fifty Castles La Capitaota thirteen Cities and fifty Towns whereof the most notable is Manfredonia The Countrey of Moliseo four Cities one hundred and four Castles the fairest Trivento L'abruzzo di quà hath five Cities one hundred and fifty Castles the chief Teate L'Abruzzo di là besides Aquila hath four other Cities and two hundred eighty four Castles but with more brevity to speak of them this Kingdom hath twenty Arch-Bishopricks one hundred twenty five Bishopricks ten Principalitys twenty three Dutchies thirty Marquisates fifty four Earld omes with authority over their subjects fifteen Lords who have jurisdiction four hundred forty three petty Lords with title and authority a thousand Towns enclosed with walls and villages in great number The most famous Islands of this Kingdom are Enaria Procida Lipari and thirteen others of small fame The Offices of this Kingdom are great Comestable who is Viceroy Grand Justiciary Grand Admiral Grand Chamberlain Grand Prothonotariy Grand Mareschal Grand Chancellor as also the Sindico or Judge who publiquely performs his office in attending the busineâ—…s of the City Naples which hath five kindes of assembly of the Nobles di Nido di Porta Nova di Capuana di Montagna di Porto which congregations or assemblies although under other denominations the City Capua likewise enjoyes Many Cities most antient and adorned with signal conditions have been in this Kingdom whose memory is yet in being except Osea Metaponto Sibari and others hereafter spoken of The Foster Children of this Kingdome truly famous in Letters were Archita Eurito Alemeone Zenone Leucippus Parmenides Timeus Ennius Lucillus Pocuvins Horatius Ovidius Statius Juveâ—…al Salustius Cicero and San Thomasus besides others more modern I wil be silent of such sommi Pontifici or Popes the Emperors Kings the valorous Captains of war and the thousands of Prelates Princes and Heroes as likewise of the male and female Saints who perpetually contemplate the Countenance of God as this Kingdom hath happily given birth to These following have been Lords of the Kingdom of Naples to wit the Greeks the Goths the Vandals the Longobards Sarazens the Turks the Hormeni the Suevi the French the Catalonians the Arragoâ—…ians the Flemmings or Spaniards and sometime the not to be forgotten Romans The Journey towards POZZUOLO THe Mountain Pausilippus though very high is well manured with vineyards and rich Townes also in old time as we collect from Pliny and others it extends into the Sea in form of a Promontory and shuts up the way between Naples and Pozzuolo and was an intollerable toyle to the Travellers to pass over or go round it before t was cut in two t is now by the industry of the passengers through their hollowing it for the head and levelling it for the feet become the mistress of waies being strait plain and easy therefore the Graecians to the purpose by a word in their tongue called it Pausilippo as if they would say a remover of troubles and labour by which surname the Graecians of old called Jupiter as we read in Sophocles The mountain is hollowed within for one thousand paces in length twelve foot wide and as much more in heighth on which as Strabo writes two Carts may commodiously meet and pass under earth Seneca calls the cavern Cripta Neapolitana though now the name is changed for Grotta where he writes to Lucullus in the 58. epistle to have run the whole fortune of the Atlesi for that he found copiously in a part of the muddy way implaistrings and in the same cavern abundance of the dust
Maggiore marked as in this place 8 To Bersello pass the Po 1 From Bersella to Corezzo are thirty five miles which according to the custome of the Modeneses are divided into 4 posts   posts 13 posts from Milano to Trento § The City Milan posts From Milan to Castelnovo the posts are set down in the posts from Milan to Venice by Bergamo and Brescia 10 to Volgarna 1 To Peri 1 To Vo 1 pass the River Adice  To Rovere â—… To Trente a City of Italy and Germany 2  Posts 16. FRom Brescia to Trento there is another way to wit by the Lake Garda but the posts are not layed that way nor is the Lake Garda at all times passable without danger  Errata Page 2. l. 13. r. the Germans p. 10. l. 32. r. behold p. 12. l. 35. r. Grisons p. 20. li 9. r. cattel p. 33. l. 10. 11. r. when I was in Italy in honour of whom p. 38. l. 41. r. malignity if ib. l. 42. r. iâ—… by p. 46. l. 39. r. Vicenza p. 48. l. 41. r. for p. 50. l. 48. r. faith p. 54. l. 38. r. likewise p. 55. l. 25. r. viscounte p. 59. l. 10. for sable r. pretend p. 59. l. 34. r. Ramparâ—…s p. 64. l. 31. r. form 67. l. 2â—… r. many p. 72. l. 2. r. me p. 75 l. 7. r. dele re a p. 76. l. 38. r Lake p. 81. l. l. r. as p. 83. l. 26. r. or p. 84. l. 3â—… r. such as have p. 87. l. 15. r. by for be p. 89 l. 4. r. tuines â—…â—…2 l. 30. r. passing p. 93. l. 36 r. in those p. 98. l. 45. r. Florence p. 99. l. 6. r. Ombrosa p. â—…39 l. 16 17. r. incomparablenesse page 144. l. 32. r. entire p. 150. l. 1. r. and by p. 163. l. 13. r. God p. 163. l. 35. â—… â—…ratorians reside p. â—…65 l. 22. r. P allas p. 167. l. 45 r. Cardinal President p. 170. l. 4. r. Martyr iâ—… l. 43. r. old â—…he Temple p. 174. l. 18. r. Pliny in the ib. l. 1 9. dele in ib. l. 46 r. time p â—…78 l. â—…3 r. depuâ—… him p. 179. l. 7. r. carcasses p. 18â—… l 38. r. diseased p. 183. l. 4. dele and p. 191. l. 31. r. Tyter p. p. 208. l. 39. r. ran into the p 210. l 18. r. denominated ib. l. 32. r. Palme p. 235. l. 47. r. Salutation p. 236. l. 25. r. 1465. p. 292 l 17. r. same ib. l. 19. r. Tully p. 245. l. 18. r. bring p. 248. l. 10 11. r. Artemisio THE HISTORY OF ITALY BEING An exact Description of all the Cities Towns Castles and Villages of ITALY with the most remarkable particulars in each of them The first PART Wherein is conteined the Journeys or Voyages from Trent to Venice from Venice to Milan from Milan to Rome The way from Trent to Venice TRento or Trent is a City of the Province of Marca Trivigiana or Marquisate of Treves and is seated in a Valley on the confines of the said Province It hath Walls round it which are about the compass of a mile and are washed by the River Ladice towards the North Large and Fair Streets paved with Flint-stones and stately Houses Its Churches are very beautiful though not large There is one most sumptuous and Royal Palace which was lately restored by Bernardo Clessio Bishop of the said City Towards the East part thereof enters a little River upon which are raised many edifices to work Silks in as also to grind Corn and from the said little River are brought many Rivolets which run along the Streets and into the Houses of the Citizens Without the Gate called Saint Lorenzo upon the Ladice there is a magnificent Bridge of one hundred forty six paces in length but of Wood which conjoyns the Ladice with the other little River The surrounding Mountains by being continually covered with Snow precipitous and so high that the heads thereof seem to touch the heavens are rendred inaccessable Between these Mountains are two wayes the one goes towards the North the other towards Verona It hath but little Champaign or Fields but those are pleasant and Rich planted with Vines and fruitful Trees amidst which passeth the Ladice In this place may be seen the Castle and Fort called Pelen appertaining to the most Noble Family of the Troppi The Citizens speak good Dutch and not ill Italian Trent is now reduced under the power of Germans and is a refuge for all Italians when any disgrace happens to them in their own Countrey They gather but little Corn but in lieu thereof they have good quantity of delicious Wines both White and Red. In the Summer the Air is good but the Sun beats upon it most vehemently on those dayes it remaineth in the sign Leo And in the Winter 't is so very cold by reason of the Frosts and Snow that there is no living their Stoves are not sufficient to provide against it because the cold is so fierce that it turneth the Rain into Snow before it can fall to the Earth and that which occasions the greatest wonder here is that in that time their Wells or deepest Pits are void and empty of Water In stead of Mules Asses and Horses of Burthen they serve themselves of their Oxen and Cows with Charrets so easie to carry goods that they run up by the Mountains as if it were in a Plain though 't is very true that the wayes are so well helped by the Cliffs or Craggs that the Beasts may go any where with little labour This City was greatly illustrated and enriched certain years past by the General Council held here for that there met then five President Cardinals Two Legats of the Council for his Holiness Pius the fourth Chief Bishop or Pope of Rome being Cardinals also that is to say Cardinal Loreno and Cardinal Madruccio Three Patriarchs Thirty two Arch-bishops Two hundred and thirty Bishops Seven Abbots Seven Generals of Religion One hundred forty and six Doctors of Divinity between Seculars and Regulars The Embassadour of Ferdinand the Emperour as well in the name of the Empire as of the Kingdoms of Hungary and Bohemia as also the Embassadours of the King of France of the King of Spain of the King of Poland and of Portugal of the Dukes of Bavaria of Savoy of Venice of Florence and of the other Catholique Princes The Council was held in the Church of Saint Mary where there is a very fair Organ In the Church of Saint Peter are the Ashes of the blessed Simeon Martyred by the wicked Jewes In the Church of the Fryers Heremitans lies buried Cardinal Seripando who was Legate of the Council a man famous for Holiness and Doctrine The Cannons are all illustrious persons and have authority to choose the Bishop Lord of the City and Prince of the Empire which dignity three Cardinals of the most Noble Family of the Madrucci have enjoyed successively of which one named Altiprando lives at
present a religious Person and a lover of Learned men BASSANO FRom Trento the way lies to Bassano travelling towards the East by the Valley of Sugana called by the Antients Euganea because a People of that name dwelt there This Plain is eighteen miles in length and two only in bredth whence you may go to Venice but 't is too long a journey Five Miles forth of Trent is situated the rich and populous Countrey of Perzene At the Head of the Valley near Primolano are the confines between the Venetians and Germans Upon the high Mountain of Primolano is there built a most strong Bulwark of the Venetians called Strada where a few Souldiers can repel the Dutch when ever they offer by violence or force to advance forwards At twelve miles distance from thence towards the East among the Alps is the City of Feltre by the which way at the right-hand-shore of the River Brent three miles distance from Scala is seated Cavolo a Fort of the Germans inexpugnable in respect that 't is founded upon a great Rock directly hanging over the high-way with a Fountain of living water in it whereto neither Man nor Goods can be mounted from the Earth unless fastned to a Rope and that wound up upon a wheel from which because 't is a very narrow way underneath between the Mountain and the River with small labour may their enemies be slain with Stones cast on them as they march along Thence five miles distant is the River Cisimone wch disembogues it self into the Brenta where the Dutch and Feltrini daily load great quantities of Timber and Wood as well for the use of Building as for firing which they afterwards transport to Bassano to Padoua and to Venice Seven miles distant from Bassano on the Right-hand-shore of the Brent lies the Countrey of Valstagna placed at the foot of the Mountains and famous for the Sawes there made thence distant three miles lies the Countrey of Campese where in the Church of the Fryers of Saint Benedict lies buried he that wrote la Macharonea Bassano lies at the foot of this streight Valley and is washed towards the West by the Brent called antiently Brenta or Brentesia the which hath its Sourse or head beyond the Alps of Trent twelve miles near Levego Over the Brent a little forth of the Gate of Bassano is built a great Bridge of Wood which conjoyns both the Rivers Between the Alps and this Castle there are some Hills which produce most abundantly all things requisite as well for necessary living as delicacy but most particularly they abound with Olives and precious Wines The River Brenta runs thorow the Territory of Vicenza passeth by the City of Padoua and in the end dischargeth it self by the Fenny or Moorish grounds into the Sea In this River they take excellent Fish as Trouts Pollard or Chieven Eyles Pyke Tench Lampreys Barbel and Crabfish In no place are the men more ingenuous in Merchandize than in this particularly in weaving of Cloth in turning most neatly in Ivory and in Carving in Nut-Trees There is never a year that they dress less than fifteen thousand pound weight of Silk and notwithstanding that that which is made in China is esteemed better than is made in any other part of the world nevertheless 't is known that this of Bassano is more subtile or thin and more light Hence the Family of the Carrareci drew their Original and Eccellino the Tyrant as also Lazaro surnamed Bassano a person not meanly learned nor less acquainted in the Greek tongue than in the Latine he lived a long time in Bologna with great satisfaction to the learned afterwards he rendred himself at Padoua to the end that he might illuminate those who were studious of good Letters At present Giacomo dal Ponte an excellent Lymner greatly illustrates this Country together with four of his Sons called vulgarly the Bassani Bassano hath under it twelve Towns which with it self contein to the number of twelve thousand Souls MAROSTICA AT three miles distance from Bassano towards the West is seated a strong place named Marostica a Castle built by the Lords of Scala near the Mountain and fortified with Walls and two Sconceâ—… Antiently this Castle stood in the neighbouring Mountain which looks towards the East where at this time are to be seen the Foundationâ—… Here the Air is most perfect and the Countrey as pleasant and produceth excellent fruits in great abundance but it most excels in Cherries of all sorts which are so infinitely pleasant and so well â—…elished that therefore in many places they are called Marosticane There are many Fountains of clear Water and thence about two miles is a Lake called Piola whose waters abate and rise in the same manner as they in the Golf of Venice with great admiration to the beholders The Inhabitants of this Castle are extreme contentious whereupon an Elegant Poet wrote thus Restat in Civibus Marii discordia vetus Quae cum Syllanis saevit in urbe viris Within this Castle are many Churches among which is that of Saint Bastiano where the Fryers of Saint Francis dwell wherein lies the Body of the blessed Lorenzuolo the Child Martyred by the wicked Jews who antiently there inhabited Francesco of the Family of the â—…reschi hath much illustrated this Castle who publickly Read the Civil Law in Padoua and likewise Angelo Mateaccio who hath composed some Books of the Laws At this present adds no small Fame to this his Countrey Prospero Alpino the most excellent Physician publique Reader of the first matter of Simples in the Academy of Padoua who hath written De plantis AEgypti De Opobalsamo and De Praesagienda vitâ—… morte AEgrotantium lately published And is now employed besides his publick Reading in composing and ripening some other noble Work for publick view Thorow the middle of this Castle runs the little River called Rozza whence about a mile passeth the Sillano so called because in Antient Language it signified a Stream of running water 'T is believed that the Antient Romans much frequented this Place for that the Inhabitants to this day retain certain Latine words though something corrupted Before the Church of Saint Floriano stand two Marble Stones of great antiquity upon the one whereof is written thus TI Claudio Caes. M. Salonius ⸫⸫ es Martina Chara Conjux quae Venit de Gallia per mansiones L. Vi commemoraret memoriam Mariti sui Bene quiescas duleissime mi Marite TREVISO THe Antient City of Treviso is situated on the East of and at the distance from Bassano twenty five miles This City was founded by Osaride the third King of the Greâ—…ans who being adopted Son of Dionisius therefore conceded unto him AEgypt and Reigned in Italy ten years And because after his death there appeared to the AEgyptians an Ox they supposing it to be their King Osiris worsnipped it as a God and called it Apâ—… which in their language signifies an Ox for which reason
the Castle Vichiera Tortona Allessandria Montferrate and then Piedmont The Journey from MILAN to BOLOGNA by the VIA EMILIA afterwards to FLORENCE and Lastly to ROME INtending to travel from Milan to Rome you must proceed out at the Roman Gate and after some space towards Lodi you meet on the right hand in the Territory of Milan the rich and famous Monastery of Chiaravalle to which the Abbot Manfredo Archinto among other Farms gave the great Vineyard Pilastrello which was formerly called the Vineyard of the Poor for that the wine there collected and thereof made was usually dispenc'd among the Poor being to that end preserved in one entire Vessel the greatest in the World which contayned 600. measures each of which held about threegallons was conjoyned with great Beams and encompassed with large Hoops which when empty hath for its grandure been held a worthy object to many People and to some Princes Kings and Emperors among which was Charles the fifth who disdained not to enter therein Somewhat further from whence in the Territory of Pavia lies the Town Landiciano and at tenn miles distant from Lodi the noble and rich Castle Meregnana and close by it runneth the River Lambro which brings to it delight and all sorts of provisions near it is the place where Francis the first King of France flew 16000. Switzers by whose deaths Massimilian Sforza happened to lose his Seignory and liberty thence six miles stands the Castle S. Angelo washed by the Lambro where every Wednesday is kept a fayr Market thence three miles you see the place where antiently stood Lodi the Old On the left of this fair way lies Cremona and other places whereof we have formerly treated in the voyage from Brescia to Milan on all fides you behold this Country abounding with Fruit and manured with Vineyards LODI THis City was founded by Frederick Barbarossa three miles distant from the old Lodi at whose foundation laying the said Federick with himself brought all his Princes and endowed it with many privileges which under the shadow of the Empire preserved it a long time in Liberty Afterwards it chose for its Lords the Vestarini it s own Citizens and in the end submitted to the Dukes of Milan The old Lodi was called antientiy Laus Pompeia for that it was restored by Pompeius Strabo Father of Pompey the great and this new Lodi was made a City by Corrado the second Emperour at the request of Erimberto Arch Bishop of Milan and though at his instance yet it no way abated the envy reigning in the breasts of the Milanesi for they in the yeer 1158. under Ussi for the great hatred between them destroyed it being not at all satisfyed with their throwing down of the Walls and driving away the Inhabitants un till they had inforced the Citizens to live in villages separate one from another at such distance that they might not assemble nor take Counsel how to restore their unhappy Country prohibiting them traffick and sale of any thing or to joyn in allyance under penalty of losing their patrimony and banishment into the like punishment fell such of them as went out of the place they were confined to under which misery and servitude they continued for 49. yeers But the Milanesi were severely chastized for this their cruelty by God the just Judge Their City Milan being not long after sacked and burnt by Frederick the Emperor This City situate in a plain is of two miles compass and a round form having a pleasant and sertile Territory environing it which produceth all sorts of Grain delicious Wines ane lovely Frui â—… The Pasture and Meadows are alwaies in a flourishing green being well preserved from the scorching heat by the overflowing of the Waters which for that conveniency are conveyed in 4. or 5. Chanels one above another almost to a wonder and so much to their advantage that they mow their Meadows 4. or 5. times a yeer which with their pasture affords them so much milk as is incredible to such as have not seen it wherewith they make abundance of Cheese and some of them weigh 500. weight here also they dry with salt those savory Calves Tongues so much admired every where It hath many Rivers and they afford excellent Fish particularly most delicate Eels The City contains 12000. Souls and many noble Families among others that of the Vestarini who a long time Reigned over it It hath also given Birth to many Persons no less eminent in Letters than Arms. It received the light of the Christian Faith from the preaching of Saint Barnabas at the time when Milan was therewith enlightned S. Bassano was Bishop of this City to whom a Church therein is dedicate enriched with sacerdotal habits embroideries of Gold and Jewels Cups Crosses Censors and other valewable Vessels T is washed with the River Adda over which there is raised a Bridge of Wood fix miles off which is the rich Abbacy of Borgheto and six miles thence stands mount Columbano much celebrated for the delicate Wines and fruit on the left hand of the Strada Ricca lies the Town Samalia with an Hospital and the Abbacy of the Fryers of Saint Gyralamo a little fartherly Lorlesco and Pusturlingo built by the noble Pusterli of Milan whence crossing the River by Boat about a mile lies Piacenza PIACENZA SOme will have this City to take its name from the Pleasantness of its fite and the beauty of its buildings nor have we any other Original for Piacenza T is seated near the Poe in a delightfull place having a flourishing Champagua and fruitfull Hills The first yielding plenty of Corn and other things for humane sustenance the later incomparable Wines delicate Fruits and Oyl The Meadows alwaies green by reason of the artificial flowing from the surrounding Rivers are continually stocked with great herds of Cattel whence they extract that cheese which for its goodness is so much cryed up through Enrope that when they would commend any Cheese they call it of Piacentia It affords also certain springs of salt water from which with fire they extract the whitest salt and some Mines of Iron and Woods filled with Creatures for the Chase. It was reduced into a Colony of the Romans together with Cremona in the 350th yeer after the building of Rome by their expulsion of the French out of that Country as Livy saies who of it makes an honourable mention in divers places as well as divers other Historians whence t is gathered that t was very flourishing in the time of the Romans since when it hath suffered many calamities more by civil than forein invasions In the 70th year after the Nativity of our Saviour when Vitellius waged War against Otho the Amphitheatre standing without its Wall was burnt which made Silio to say Quassata Placentia bello It is embellished with noble structures As the antient Fountain erected by Augustus Caesar the sumptuous Church of Santa Maria the Virgin the Church of
some time as may be drawn from his verses and many Illustrious persons were born here COTIGNOLA BEtween Imola and Faenza stands Cotignola a Castle small but strong near the River Senio encompassed with thick Walls and profound Dikes the Castle was built by the Forlevesi and Faentini but the Walls and Ditches by Giovanni Aguto Captain and Standard-bearer to the Roman Church to whom t was given by Pope Gregory the 11th It was the Birth-place of Sforza Attendolo the first of the Sforzesean Family who wrought himself at a Pickax and yet in less than one hundred yeers his line and Family hath yeelded one Empress many Queens Marqueses Dukes Counts Captains Bishops Arch-Bishops Cardinals and other eminent persons FAENZA FAenza is divided by the River Lamone which passeth between the Bourg and the City where there is a strong bridge of Stone which conjoyns the City with the Bourg and the Via Emilia T is ancient and the first Founders are unknown it enjoys a serene healthfull Ayr a fertile Territory and a people good-natured and lovers of their Country Here they make the best and finest Vessels of Earth of all Italy It hath produced men eminent in all the Sciences It was several times destroyed by Totila King of the Goths Frederick Barbarossa and by a Captain of the Brittones but Frederick the second Nephew of the first built that Fort cast down and levelled the Walls in rhe yeer 1240. which now are seen for that by their fidelity to the Church they gave him great difficulty to take it The Manfredi then got it and rebuilt the Walls from them the Bolonians took it from them Mainardo Pagano its Citizen a great Captain and from him the Venetians from whom after the rout they received at Giarad Adda by Lewis the 12th King of France it returned again to the devotion of the Church under whome it hath ever since continued BRISIGELLA THis Town is seated in part on a Plain and in part on the side of a hill it hath two Forts the one on the East called the Tower where with the touch of a Bell they give notice how many Horses enter the other on the West both set at the outmost part of the Town It hath two Fountains the Water of the one so sweet and light that none is accounted better the other so gross and heavy that they give it not to their Beasts but account it only fit for cooling their Wine and cleansing and dying their silks which shine more here than elsewhere and that is attributed to the crudity of this water It s Territory is called la Valle d'Amone from the River so named which having its sourse from the top of the Alps of Florence with little water in a short course driving Mills runs thorow the Valley to Faenza This Valley and Territory contains 48. Villages every one having its own Parish and a sufficient allowance for its Pastors The Farmers are rich and civil they muster 800. Men who are well exercised youth and the best armed of any in the Ecclesiastick State Which Villages are all contained under the name Bresigiella The said Valley is so fertile in Wine Oyl Corn and other necessaries that though there be 18000. Souls yet one yeers crop affords sustenance enough for all them for two yeers were it not exported into other Countreys It hath one noble Palace belonging to the Signori Spadi which hath all the coumodities of Church Fishponds Fountains Gardens Vineyards Wood for Foul Conservatories for Snow with all sorts of trees of exquisite fruit Citrons Lemons Oranges Pynes and other delights that may be required this is alwaies so well accommodated with all necessaries for the Kitchin houshold-stuff and Plate that whenever any Prince or Embassador arrives they need not transport thither the least thing there is one Oake which five men cannot brace This Town hath one eminent Collegiate for the Prelates every Wednesday they keep here a Market so great for all things that it attracts infinite People for which they pay no toll It flourished in Arms two Ages past through the nobility generofity and Valour of the Family of Naldi the statues of Vicenso and Dionisio Naldi are in Venice erected And in Religion and Learning by many famous Men. The Voyage or Journey from MILAN to CREMONA to MANTOVA to FERRARA and to RIMINI IF you would see the places distant from the Via Emilia when you are arrived at Lodi you must go towards the Adda Eastward and at twelve miles distance meet Castiglone and see Castle Novo and Pizzichotone a famed Place for that Francis the first King of France being taken Prisoner by the Imperialists under Pavia was reteined there till by Order of the Emperor Charls the fifth they embarked him at Genoua for Spain hence t is but 15. mile to Cremona all good and direct even way CREMONA the Faithfull CRemona is built on the banks of the Poe in the 7th Climat on the West parts of Italy t is eight miles in circuit environed with Walls Bastions and Ditches and hath one Cittadel on the Eastpart the most stupendious strong and formidable work in all Italy Its first Founders are not known but their judgements approved for its good Ayr. It was a good Colony of the Romans and alwaies maintained such fidelity to its Princes that among the Cities of Italy it merited the surname of faithfull In the time of the Triumvirate of Augustus Antony and Lepidus it suffered much misery its Territories being divided also among the Souldiers whose neighbourhood to Mantoua made it participate in misery and caused Virgil to lament in his 9th Ecloge Mantoua vel miserae niâ—…ium vicina Cremonae Cornelius Tacitus relates its then wofull sufferings Afterwards in Anno 630. it was all cast down by the Gothes Longobards and Slaves and 600. yeers after that destroyed by Frederick Barbarossa and depopulated But afterwards it was restored and amplified and governed in liberty till through civil discords Uberto Palavicino got the dominion who driven out certain lesser Lords kept it in servitude as now Cavadabo now the Ponzoni now the Fonduli now the Visconti whoever of them was conqueror got it and with the conquered it alwaies suffered Also the Venetians French and Sforzeschi had it by Arms but now the King of Spain reigns in it and maintains in great tranquillity Sigismond the Emperor to gratifie Gabrino Fondalio granted it license for a publique University with all such privileges immunities and exemptions as those of Paris or Bologna enjoyed The ordinary buildings are so great that they may be termed Palaces reared with great expense and excellent Architecture Ir hath broad streets with Orchards Gardens and Mills as well within as without the City a chanel for driving them being brought from the River thorow the City It hath one Tower so high that it is reckoned among the wonders of Europe which was built in the yeer 1284. Upon it at one instant were Pope John the 22th
Sigismond the Emperor with Gabrino Fondulio Lord of the City who afterwards was sad at the heart that he had not precipitated the Emperour and Pope to eternalize his memory as did Herostrato who only to commemorate his name gave fire to and burnt that stupendnous Temple of Diana built in Ephesus at the common charge of all the Potentates of Asia in two hundred yeers It hath a Cathedral with a good Revenue and many other stately Churches wherein are kept many Reliques of Saints and much riches several Hospitals and other pious places The Families of Cremona are for the most part descended from the Romans who there made a Colony others from the veterane Souldiers who for reward of their Labours had houses Lands there assigned them and others from the Goths Longobardi French Germans and other people of Italy it hath given birth to many eminent Ecclesiasticks Lawyers Physicians Souldiers and Poets The people are of an industrious and accute wit and have invented several sorts of Stuffs Silks and Clothes and make excellent Swords Without the Gate Puleselia stands the Church San Guglielmo where is a large Pond which did formerly contain troubled and stinking water but San Domenick and Francis who dwelt there making the sign of the Cross over it they were there by miraculously converted into clear and sweet waters Near the Porta San Michaele stood a Temple dedicate to the Goddess Februa whereof nought appears now Close by the Walls runs the noble River Oglio On its West part lies nhe Territory of Lodi on the North Bergamo and Brescia on the East Mantona and on the South Piacenza Between Towns and Hamlets this City possesseth 41. places and all its Country round about is a plain planted with trees in excellent order with Vines clinging to them and most productive of all grains herbage and other necessaries From Cremona to Mantoua leads a direct even road and upon or near it lye Piadena the Country of Bartolomeo Platina close by which passeth the Oglio Canesdo where the Oglio spends it self in the Poe the Castles Asola and Acquanegria Bozzolo a Town and San Martino where Scipion Gonzaga the Splendor of the College of Cardinals lies buried Then the River passed which crosseth the Road you leave the Bourg Marcheria and Gazuolo where there is a sumptuous and royal Palace of the Gonzaghi whose also are the 3 Castles from Gazuolo to Mantoua twelve miles But the way from Cremona to Mantoua on the left side of the Poe lies thus first to the Town San Giovanni and Ricardo then to Ponzono Gusnola and Casal Maggiore and then to Sabioneda an imperial City very fair and stately a draught whereof was taken by order of the Duke Vespasiano Beyond which lies Viadona and Pomponesco where lies the passe over the Poe whence t is eight mile to Mantoua in the way are Montecchio a mannor of the Palavicini Colorno under the Parmesans the Castle Bresegello of the Dokes of Estè formerly a City but destroyed by the Lougobardi whose King Alboino there slew Totila King of the Gothes and by that victory made himself Lord of Italy Gonzaga where the Duke of Mantoua hath a noble Palace Reggio Huolara Luzzara and Guastallo entitled with a Principality thence to Borgo Forte and so to Mantoua MANTOUA FOr its antiquity gives place to no City of Italy being founded not only before Rome but before the destruction of Troy which happened according to Eusebius Saint Jerome and others 430. yeers before the building of Rome Leandro Alberti shewes that Mantoua was built 1183. yeers before the coming of our Lord into the flesh And as it was more antient than the rest so was its Original more noble being founded by Ocno Bianoro the most antient King of Tuscany who was Son of Tiberino King of Tuscany and Manto Tebena his Queen and so called it Mantoua from the name of his Mother It was first inhabited by three noble people the Tebani Veneti and Toscani as Virgil the Prince of Poets celebrating the nobleness of this his Country testifies in his 10. book of his AEneades Ille etiam patriis agmenciet Ocnus ab oris Fatidicae Manthus Tusci filius amnis Qui muros matrisque dedit tibi Mantoua nomen Mantoua Dives avis sed non genus omnibus unum Gens illi triplex populi sub gente quaterni Ipsa caput populis Tusco de sanguine vires T is seated among the Marishes created by the River Mencio is strong by nature and art large and well built adorned with sumptuous Palaces and fair Churches noble Piazzaes spatious recreative places and direct streets T is a merchandizing City and copious of all trading through the conveniency of the waters The people are of an acute genius and not less disposed to Learning Arms and all Sciences than to Traffick and Merchandizing In the Church of the reverend Fathers of Saint Domenick is the Tomb of Giovanni de Medici Father of Cosmus great Duke of Tuscany where may be read this Epitaph Joannes Medices hic situs est inusitatae virtutis Dux qui ad Mincium tormento ictus Italiae fato potius quam suo cecidit 1526. In the Church of the Carmelites lies Batista Spagnuolo General of that order with this Epitaph Reverend P. Magister Baptiste Mantuanus Carmelita Theologus Philosophus Poeta Orator Clarissimus Latinae Graecae Hebraicae linguae peritissimus In the sumptuous Temple Saint Andrea is some of the pretious bloud of our Lord and the body of San Longino the Martyr Montigna Padouano lies likewise buried here with this Inscription Ossa Andreae Mantiniae famosissimi Pictoris cum duobus filiis insepulchro per Andream Mantiniam nepotem ex filio constructo And underneath are these two verses Esse parem hunc noris si non praeponis Apelli Enea Mantiniae qui simulacra vides In the Duomo where the lngenuity of Giulio Romano a famous Architector hath expatiated it self lies the entire body of San Anselmo Bishop of Lucca In San Egidio lies Bernardo Tasso Mantoua hath eight Gates is in compass four miles hath in it 50. thousand Souls and the aforesaid Lake or Marish lies 20. miles round it near it is the Royal Palace of Te built by Giulio Romano Five miles off Mantoua West-ward stands a Temple dedicate to the Virgine Mary filled with presents and vows wherein lies the body of Baldassar Casiiglione in a fayr Tomb. Twelve miles distant from it South-ward is the magnificent and sumptuous Monastery of Saint Benedict seated in a Plain near the Poe which was built by Bonisace Marquess of Mantoua Count of Conossa and Uncle of Matilda in the yeer of our Saviour 984. which for its Magnificense Riches and sumptuousness of building and what more imports for its observance in Religion antecedes all the other Monasteries of Italy The Fryers Benedictines have possessed it for 200 yeers from whom have issued many Religious filled with sanctity good doctrine and
amplitude antiquity is famous among authors being well fortifyed by its proper scite and nature against all stoâ—…my winds from its neighbouring mountains and the Countrey about it Giulio Capit placeth the Ports of Gaeta and Terracina among the other publique great and noble Acts of Antonio Pio Augusto as if formed by him Taking the Strada Appia between Mola and Suessa you will meet some grand structures of Sepulchres of the antients but laid wast and among other that which is shewed for the sepulchre of Marcus Tullius Cicero being supposed to be the same by Giovanni Pontano in whose time they say a piece of Ciceroes Epitaph was there found Yet Corona Pighio will not believe that Sepulchre can be so antient t is built orbicular covered at top by bricks which are supported by a pillar standing in the midst on the right hand of it lies the port whence certain stone steps conduct up to the Room above which are filled with thorns and bushes it takes name from the Dukes Palace standing opposite to it SUESSA THis City merits a most peculiar view being no less famous for its antiquity then the frequent recordation of antient writers in her as Dionysius Halicarnasseus writes in his 5th Book the Pemetini retired themselves when driven out of their Country Pometia destroyed by Tarquinius Priscus King of the Romans whence it began to be called Suessa and now Sessa it was also named Suessa by the Aurunci as Livy testifies who being overcome by Titus Manlius the Consul aiding their adversaries the Sidicini recovered this place with their wives and Children This City is scituate in the Campagna Vestina near the Monte Massico on the Strada Appia in a pleasant fertile Country and was esteemed for being the principal City of the Volsci as well as for being a Confine to the Romans t was made a Colony about 440. yeers after the birth of Rome as may be collected from Livy though Velius writes that people were sent thither and a Colony made three yeers after Luceria it groaned under frequent losses and important destructions both in the Carthaginian war and in the civil Factions but afterwards from these misfortunes rousing it self it flourished under the Emperors chiefly under Adrian and Antonini Pii as we draw from the Titles of Statues from the Elogies and inscriptions on Marble Tablets extant in divers places thereabouts On the right hand of the Church of the Preaching Fryers stands the tombe of wood of Augustinus Nifus a most learned Philosopher of his times Looking towards the Sea on the right hand you may observe populous places yet but villages excellently cultivated which are called the Casati di sessa At twelve miles distance from Mola you meet the River Liris in its descent from the Apenines and passage to the Sea pleasantly irrigating the neighbouring Meadows In these Marius hid himself in his flight from Sylla here also lies the Torre di Francolesse where Hannibal being besieged by Fabius Maximus escap't through that famous stratagem of making his enemies drunk these Meadowes were esteemed by the Romans as highly as any under their dominions as may be easily comprehended from Cicero who magnifies beyond measure the Strada Herculatea calling it a way of great delights and Riches contiguous lies the Monte Caecubo famous for being the producer of so generous wine and for having such celebrious Fens near which very much pleased Flaccus when he praised the Attick victory of Augustus in these verses Quando repostum Cecubum ad festas dapes Victore laetus Caesare Tecum sub alta sic Jovi gratum domo Beate Maecenas bibam This River Liris terminated old Latium which passed you came into the Meadows Minturna asore specified where you may see the Monte Massico and Falerno Sinvessa and Minturna and divers others places whose description you 'l meet with under Scotio in the mean time behold Capua CAPUA Capua of old the head of the Champain then was stigmatized with the Character of great arrogancy and wilful obstinacy as a-among others may be collected from Marcus Tullius who speaking against Publius Rullus Protests that the Campani the inhabitants of the Plain or Champain are haughty minded and proud of the goodness of their Fields the quantity of fruits the wholesome air and beauty of their City From which abundance sprung that foolish request which the Campani made to wit that one oâ—… the Consuls might be chosen out of Capua whose delights were such that they overcame and enervated the army of Hannibal before his arrival there invincible and powerfull above all others Cicero calls Capua the Seate of pride and mansion of delights and saies that it creates in the people such customes as if they proceded from the principal of generation when it may be rather supposed they happen from the nature and air of the place and custom of living and eating and hence it falls out for the most part that the genius of the place generates inhabitants like it self The new Capua is scituate on the banks of the river Vulturnus two miles distant from the old Capua the delight of Hannibal and Paragon with Rome and Carthage where the ruines of Theatres Acqueducts Temples Porticoes Baths Palaces and other Structures shew its former magnificence there also may be seen many great subterranean vaults and conservatories for water and pieces of vast columns sufficient testimonies of the power and pride of the old Capua although the new adjacent City hath drawn thence a great part of those infinite reliques Strabo will have Capua to be named from the Champain and Publius Maro likewise who calls the City Campana as also Tullius and Livius its Citizens and the other inhabitants Campani from their manuring great Fields in that happy plain of Campania now Terra di Lavore which most Authors as well modern as old extol for the most fruitful plat of earth in the Universe in a word t was the subject of Virgils Georgicks Yet the Poets Maro Lucan Silius and other sings that the Capi Trojani companions of AEneas gave to it Inhabitants walls and denomination Of her were first Patrones the Opici and the Ausoni and afterwards the Osci a Tuscan People from whom t was called Osca as Strabo writes these latter were driven out by the Cumani and they by the Tuscans who augmenting her power by adding eleuen other Cities made her the Metropolis and as Livy writes called her Volturno from the approaching Rivers name At last the Romans finding her potent a neighbour and in the heart of Italy a perpetual enemie and no less emulous of their Empire then Carthage it self terrible and fierce through the friendship and company of Hannibal reduced her under their dominion by raising many Forts about her besieging her to Famine and the slaughter of all her Counsellors and then they sould all the Citizens and other people together with the Campana forbidding for the future the City to have any head or publique assembly Magistrates
otherwise then by enchantment or witch craft which made him mock at the plebeian simplicity laughing at the vulgar who for the most part attribute that to the Magick art which appears wonderfull and produceth stupendious effects from their incapacity to comprehend the cause but to return to our voyage From the Bucca Coronea we are brought to Zolfettara as at present they call those places which were of old celebrated with the invention of various fables of old Poets for these wonders of nature who sing that the Gyants buryed under this mountain even from hell cast forth of their throats Flames at that time when earthquakes happen Et montes scopulos terrasque invertere dorse These Mountains are full of Sulphure Allum and Vitriol the chief whereof as Strabo writes stood pendent at a few paces distance from the Colonna of Pozzuolo now distant from the castle Novo about a mile from the form of which place t is guessed that the top of this Mountain was at last consumed and emitted into the profundity of the near valley by the continual fires whence that which of old was a high and eminent top or head is now a great ditch in the plain of a valley and that which was of old the ribs and flanks of a mountain are now the upper part of shelfs and rocks which surround the plain with a certain fence in length about a thousand and fifty foot in bredth about a thousand foot Pliny writes that they were nominated from their whiteness Leucogei and the plain or Level Campagna Phlegerea from the flame and fire there ever extant which Silius the Italian confirms Cornelius Strabo calls this place the Piazza and shop of Vulcan where likewise some fable the Gyants to be overcome by Hercules here the Mountains seem continually to burn at their roots for that on all sides they emit smokes by many mouths which smell of sulphure which smokes are blowen by the wind all over the neighbouring Countrey and sometimes to Naples Antiently these Hills as we draw from Dion Cassius and Strabo emitted greater fires as also those about the Lucrino and Averno which are not a few burnt and emitted like furnaces gross smokes and flames Now the plain as also the hill Phlegrei are deprived of their perpetual flames and are cavernous in many places and become yellowish as from the materiall and colour of sulphure the earth when spurned by the foot resounds like a drum through its concavity underneath where you may hear with wonder under your seet boyling waters grosse and inflamed smokes to make a horrid noise and run too and fro through the subterranean Caverns which the force of the exhalation hath made which how great you may thence guesse stop any of those mouths or holes with a good great stone and you shall suddenly and with violence see it amoved by the strength of the smoke Here they compose medicinable pots of brimstone In the same plain or level lies also a great marish filled alwaies with a black scalding hot water which sometimes useth to change place and the waters making themselves hard as tryed sewit useth being cold to bind it self to the sides of the Vessel t is melted in do thereby and with the force of the exhalation increase or diminish When I was there it boyled with great noise and smoke as if it had been a huge chauldron filled with blackish mud and therefore exceeded not then its bounds and limits but I remember that at my view thereof this Vorago mounted and cast up of asudden like a Pyramides eight or nine foot high beyond the common stature of man that thick water yellow and of the colour of sulphure which also the people of Pozzuolo affirm adding that sometimes t will rise from sixteen to twenty four feet When the Sea is in a storm this water is of various colours though for the most part like sulphure and sometimes other according as the subterranean winds are disturbed by the sea blasts and being in vigoured among the flames with all possible force expels some of the earth mixed with divers colours from the deepest veins These very winds when most quiet under ground the top of the Fens or moors being only disturbed cause a gross thick water coloured with black to be cast out These things of such occult nature do certainly afford usefull and welcome matter for consideration and study to such as love to search thereinto which Cicero very pertinently terms the natural food of the mind And hence we certainly know that the globe of the earth is not in every part solid and massy but in some places hollow cavernous and full of vains and pores like as is the living body of any animal and that with the continual motion of the imbodied elements water and air it becomes penetrated and is by the same nourished increased or diminished together with its several kinds and changes of plants and that the earth soops up vast quantities of the Sea waters disperst on it by means of those pores the which being encountred by some fierce winds occasion a motion of those waters in its inmost part and in the straitest passages and the same winds there split in sunder among the rocks and stones grow violently hot and kindle vast fires the which conâ—…uming whatever they meet empty the internal parts of the earth and drawing to themselves through those pores the neighbouring winds together with great smokes they there augment beyond measure searching out an egresse with horrible noise and shakings of the earth and mountains Pellunt oppositas moles ac vincula rumpunt As more at large Cornelius Severus a most learned Poet hath declared in his AEnea and hence proceed the earthquakes whirlpooles and openings of the earth the forcing out of flames the rivolets of fire boyling fountains and hot vapours Dion Cassius writes that in his time the said Mountains of Pozzuolo had more fountains of running fire in the likeness of water that through the excessive heat the water took fire and burnt and the fires with the mixture of the waters acquired a fluxible corpulency in such sort that these contrary elements did not separate and we find even in our time that the flames and sulphure conserve and nourish themselves in these waters and that they endure for so many ages and never consume but alwayes continue and gush out in the same conduits the which Severus the Poet graciously sets down in these verses Atque haec ipsa tamen jam quondam extincta fuissent Ni furtim aggeneret secretis callibus humor Materiam silvamque suam pressoque canali Huc illuc ageret ventos pasceret ignes So also he writes of the Phlegrean Fields and of the same place between Naples and Cuma whereof we now discourse viz. Ejus ab aeternâ—… piâ—…guescens ubere 〈◊〉 In merces legitur As at present the King exhausts a great toll from that brimstone and merchandize of allum Wee observe furthermore
that these sulphurious or brimstone waters commixt with the saltness of the Sea and with the ashes of burnings turn into stone after they have cooled themselves by running a short course and that they communicate the same faculty to those rivers and brooks with which they commix whereof though a clear experiment cannot be had yet that innate quality in all the rivers of Italy as the Tybâ—…r the â—…everone the Lake of Luca in the Nera and others of vesting the sides or brims of the banks and the Conduits whereby they paâ—…s as also the conserves and receptions of their standing pools give sufficient proof Besides t is as clear as the Sun and dayly observed that their continued washing of wood plants arms bodies and roots of trees the stubble of herbs and the leaves by little little are covered with a kind of scurf of stone and by revolving become by chance formed like comfits of aniâ—…eeds fennel cinamon and almonds and so much resembling such that with no great difficulty some more greedy then wary have been cousened with them and in truth what Vitruvius Seneca Dione Pliny and others have writ of the wonders of Vesuvius and Pozzuolo seems beyond reason to wit that the waters receive that nature and particularity from the tenuity of the ashes of the burned sulphure which ashes the fire having in part reduced as small as atomes in part dissolved into liquid moisture and in part expelled by the vapours of the subterranean fires through the veins of the earth and by springs we observe to be converted into that dust which the antients called Pozzuolo from the place and that they unite so soon as they attain the waters and cooling with them attain the just substance of stone and that the waters which run by those places mutually receive a certain nature of connexing to any thing so that they easily cleave to the body they touch and make it become stone And for wonders of this kind scarce can any be found like those in the caves of the Apenines near the old chanel of the Aâ—…iene by Vico Varo where the waters distilling through the clefts and chinks in the Rocks in their fall by little and little form it self like stone in the likeness of high Collumns in divers forms branchy bodies of trees and monstrous bodies of Centaures and Gyants in which Caverns or labyriâ—…ths of pure darkness with candles may be found out objects which in one word may worthily be said to feed and satiate the mind of the curious searcher into the secrets of nature but beware that the light be not extinguished by the frequent flappings of the night batâ—… who thither retire as to a secure retreat by millions to avoid the light of the day Thus beholding the hills Leucogei and the various surges of medicinal fountains of baths hot baths and the Cavernes you go to Pozzuolo amids the great and spatious ruines of the antient Colony POZZVOLO THe Roman Empire flourishing that maritime tract of Campania about Cuma Misena and Pozzuolo was in great reputation for the temperature of the air the pleasantness of the scite the quantity of good waters and the extream fertility of the fields and therefore replenished with great possessions of the Gentry and proud Palaces of the principal men And to speak truth no other part of Italy nor of the Provinces or the world appears more proper for the consumption of the Romans riches then that peice of Campania lying betweeen Capua and Naples and extending to Cuma where with good reason the common saying was that Bacchus and Ceres contended for superiority the luxury and sensuality of which maritime places and Islands made the old Poets in their antient fables of delights call these the house and habitation of the Syrenes And this caused some old Poets and them of no small esteem to aver those things which happened between Ulisses and the Nymph Calipso to have been acted in the Island of Pozzuolo and not in Ogygia a place of the Thebans or in the Island of the Promontory of Lacinio which Goddess by some called the daughter of Atlas by others of Oceanus and Tethys was held a Nymph of the Sea and reigned in the Isle Ogygia receiving Ulysses when he escaped drowning and took this name from her adornments of body and delights she liued in Homer calls her a Nymph very well adorned with fair riches And in truth who considers the shores of Pozzuolo must in truth conclude that to his imagination a more pleasant delightfull and glorious place cannot be found out than it nor a Seat more inclined by nature to receive and carress Travellers thence t is that the Poets of old feign that Ulysses there fixing and dwelling recollected his many past peregrinations and perils and also in the Isle Ithaca whereof Dion Cassius and â—…hilostratus Lemnius in the Life of Apollonius make mention And although at present the whole is filled with ruines and every thing lies even with the earth through too intollerable sufferings by war and time yet are there objects enow which such as will reape any profit from the curiosity of the antient arts and histories ought maturely and with great industry to consider But to begin Pozzuolo is a City scituate on a hill in the midst of a shore of the Sea which though very fair and large cannot yet be at all compared in any part with the riches and grandezza of the antient Colony as may be clearly extracted from the wayes pitched with flint and the foundations of publique edifices whereof the Sea hath swallowed up one part earthquakes and wars the other It was a most antient Colony of the Graecians which the Samii conducted hither in the time of Tarquinius Superbus in the sixty second Olimpiad as the Chronologer Eusebius writes and Stephanus â—…ysantius confirms which happened about the time that the republique of the Samii was ty ranized by the three Brothers Policrates Silus and Pantagnostus At that time also Pythagoras Samius flying from his own Countrey in Morava attained the potent City of Italy Croione where he layed down a new Philosophy then called Italian and by it acquired a high esteem with whose Laws the Italian Cities being reformed from the Graecian by the indeavours of three hundred of his Scholars as Diogenes Laertius writes received the government of Aristocracy under which they lived happily for many Ages Others will likewise that the Colony of the Samii from the observance of the Justice of the most holy Empire wherewith it was governed was called Dicearchia by which name all the Greek writers stiled it and many times after their example the Latin Strabo writes Dicearchia was once the Piazza of the Cumani and that afterwards the Romans called it Pozzuolo either as some will from the many deep piâ—…s or as others from the sulphurious stenches of the waters there arising It became under the power of Romans in the warr with Hannibal when Capua was taken by
assist the oppressed Souldiers and to satisfie his curiosity in the occasion of those fires he was stifled by the ashes and vapours of this burning mountain as aforesaid where with his uncle Pliny was also G. Celius the son of his sister who related this story more at large to Tacitus the Historian And certainly waters were preserved in these Fabricks for use and delight both in Lucullus his Villa and many other places very numerous in that piece of a fair country all over which run pipes shores and chanels All the Sea shore and strond is deformed by the ruines of Towns and Villages of old full of houses and inhabitants in particular that part between Formia and Surentum moves compassion in the passers by at Sea which in the flouri shing time of the Roman Empire presented to their view at a distance the effigies of a continued City by the quantity of structures and proud Palaces beautifyed with all splendour pompous and vastly expensive and would any take that pains now as by a strict serutiny to take a particular account or to draw draughts and exquisite descriptions enough of importance might be found to satisfie his own Curiosity and to fill up a new commentary nay a just volume The Palaces were wont to be very pompous in those parts on the Maritime coasts being 150 miles in length Which was so filled with Palaces Cities Towns Burghs Baths Theatres and such other proud and magnificent Fabricks beginning at Baia and so continuing to F. Herculanus and Voliurnus that they seemed not separate but one great and fair City to which no prospect could be comparable But in this our time all things there are ruinated except Naples the head of the Kingdome and residence of the Viceroy and some other great Princes The Ville or Palaces of pleasure of the ROMANS THat we may gratefully please the studious in these things we thought it not from the purpose to run over some of the more noble Villes which the Romans had built in these parts That famous Palace then of Lucullus stood in the Terra Forma near the Promontorie of Misenus discovering the top of the near high hill and the other lesser between the port gulf of Baia where he first bought of Cornelia the Villa of Sc. Marius banished by L. Sylla which he amplified with Fabricks Gardens and sumptuous Fishpools the spaces of which Gardens appear to this day towards Cuma not far from the Cento Camere and footsteps of the Pescheries at the shore of Baia with grots and standing pools cut into the foot of the Rock by art that they might be a refuge and defence to the Fish from the scorching Sun in hot weather as M. Varro sets forth saying that L. Lucullus had given order to his architectors to consume as much money as they pleased so they made a sufficient defence for the Fish against the heat of the Sun and provided them secure retreats under the mountains so that when this work was compleated he might say he needed not envy Neptune himself for goodnesse of fish which shews that he had fishpools in many places And in the said Marcus Varro Q Hortensius the Orator reprehends M. Lucullus for that he had not after the example of L. Lucullus his Brother provided for the conveniency of his fish a retreat into the Fresco from the scorching beams of the Sun T is thought the Villa of M. Lucullus stood at the foot of the mountain Misenus towards the Isle Procyda antiently called Prochyte where under the waters may yet be perceived great ruines of Pescharies Villa Di Q. HORTEENSIO QUintus Hortensius had his Mannor house in the breast of Baiano near Bauli whereof some reliques yet appear on the shores and some are covered by the waters t is most certain and famous that he had then most fair fishpools wâ—…th some grots cut into the mountain for the refuge of his fish from the Suns ardoui so much were they then given to the like pleasures for which C. Cicero taunting him calls him God of the Sea and the most happy in his pescheries in that he had so domesticated the fish that they came at his câ—…ll when they heard his voice and much condoles the death of â—…is Muraena the Bennet fish which t is thought by sâ—…me will stay a ship if it stick to it of whom a friâ—…nd of his 〈◊〉 a pair of his Mullets he answered he woud rather give hâ—…m two mules out of his litter Pliny writes that after Q. Hortâ—…rsius Antâ—…nia the â—…other of Claudius the Emperor possessed these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pools with the same humour and that she so much loved a 〈◊〉 that she caused ear-rings of gold to be put on him in the wateâ—…s and that those places were so famous for this fact that mary 〈◊〉 to â—…auli purposely to behold it T is not certain 〈◊〉 Neâ—…o tâ—…e Emperor caused Agrippina his mother to be slâ—…in in this very Villa but if nâ—…t there t was not farr from it as may be collected from Cornelius Taciâ—…us in the 14th book of his Annals Domitia the Aunt of Nero had a Villa in that neighbourhood whereof in the 13 book of Tacitus is some memorial and Dion â—…ssius saies that Nero having poisoned Domitia his Aunt possâ—…ssed 〈◊〉 of her Livings near Bauli and Ravenâ—…a the contrary whereof â—…lius I am pridrius reports of the Emperor Alexander Severus to wit that besides many Palaces he built in Rome in honour of Julia Momea his mother he built one most sumptuous with its Pescherâ—…es calling the place Mamea which Ferrante Lofredo Marques of Trevico supposeth to stand in the midst of Baia where he likewise erected many other in honour of his Parents The Villa Of C. PISO THis stood under the mountain near the hot fountains hither Nero leaving the other charges of importance often retired for his solace as Tacitus declares in the 15th book of his Annals T is supposed that in this Villa Nero entertained his mother Agrippina at table many hours under pretence of the festival Quinquatrus a feast celebrated to Pallas five daies but with intention to make her return by night to her Villa at Bauli having before hand given order that in the return the Bark wherein she was should be sunk and she thereby be drowned as Suetonius and Tacitus relate The Villa of C. MARIUS of CAESAR and of POMPEY IN these confines likewise C. Marius Caesar and Pompey had their houses of pleasure as Seneca tells us in the second Epistle but they stood on the very tops of hills so that they had more the faces of Castles and Forts and places made purposely to protect the Countrey below then of Pallaces for solace Pliny speaks of that of Marius in the 6th chapter of the 18 book which was afterwards possessed and amplifyed by Lucullus near the Promontory of Misenus towards the Port. But the Villa of Caesar stood above Baia and on the top of the Mountain as Tacitus
testifies in the 15th book of his Annals whose vast foundations remain to this day under their old name neare the Temple of Venus That of Pompey they say was on the third Mountain between the Avernus and the contiguous Tritullian hot baths whence the surname they yet retain and there some yeers since was found a statue of Pompey The Villa Academica of Marcus Tullius CICERO Pliny in the second Chapter of his thirty first book declares that the Villa of Cicero made so famous by his writings was in these quarters between the Avernus and Pozzuolo upon the Sea shore with a most delicious grove and a spacious hall to walk in wherefore Cicero called it an Academy in imitation of that at Athens wherein they ordinarily disputed walking Here Cicero made his sepulchres and so much was he pleased with it that he often spoke of it and entitled some of his books from it Questiones Academicae Academick questions Atticus being in Athens Cicero in almost every letter recommended his Academy that he might send to him from Greece whatever could be had for ennobling it with fair ornaments wherein Atticus failed not according to the occasions in statues pictures and other the like ornaments Whence Cicero in his Epistle ad Attiticum praiseth his diligence and the things sent him Cicero being retired hither in the calamitous times of the Republique to spend away the time toyl and troubles with Books many of the Principal Romans repaired thither to visit him and take some counsel Of them was C. Caesar after the victory he obtained in the civil warr C. Octavius the Successour of Julius yet before he made himself Emperour with infinite others but after that Cicero was banished the Villa Academica was possessed by C. Antistius who was the Legat of Caesar and followed his faction in the civil wars A little after Ciceroes death in his Villa sprung up fountains of hot water good among other things for the eyes and sight celebrated by Tullius Taureus the freeman of Cicero with an Epigram set down among the works of Pliny who wrote this successe and judged that Epigram worthy of memory We must believe that this Villa stood where now the Stadio is taking that name from the length of Ciceroes hall whose ruines yet remain so distinctly as that it may be measured how long t was and although this Stadio seem to stand too far from the Sea in respect of that we read touching Ciceroes Academy yet this will not create any difficulty since the Sea may be in so long a space of time through divers causes retired because truely this Villa in Ciceroes time stood over water at leastwise conducted from the Sea by certain channels so that he eating at table might cast into the waters for the fish to eat angle and fish at his pleasure The hot fountains are extant in a neere field in a cavern underground at the root of the hill which are also of wonderfull nature because they increase and decrease according to the flowing and ebbing of the sea by day and by night in their increase they cast abundance of water into the bath and when full part of the water returns to the fountain and part runs into the Sea by a certain small chanel or gutter made to that purpose This Bath vulgarly called Bagno Ciceroniano the Ciceronian bath and by phisicians Praetense or Tritulliano is as gallant and entire an antiquity as any in the Tract of Pozzuolo These waters were so soveraign not many years since over most diseases that over every bath was written for what cures t was good of which inscription some letters yet stand but the phisicians of Palermo as they tell the story finding those waters prejudicial to their custom went with instruments expresly demolish't those writings so that for the present they are unusefull the said phisicians being all cast away in their return Thus much shall suffice touching Ciceroes famous Villa for that Leander and other writers treat sufficiently of its nature and others thereabouts From the commencement of Ciceroes Academical questions is comprehended that the Villa of Ter. Varro a most learned Roman was not far distant but the determinate place is unknown The Villa of SERVILIUS VATIA SEneca demonstrates in his fifty second Epistle to Lucullus that on the shore between Cuma and the Lake Avernus stood the Villa of Servilius Vatia the magnificence and vastness of which Fabrick may be comprehended from the fragments yet extant He saies two Caves were here built with great expence into the one whereof the Sun never entred and on the other it shone from morning to night into which ran a delicious water through as pleasant a Meadow with many Fish Hither Servilius a noble and rich Man retired himself at such time as Tiberius Caesar afflicted many noble Romans and applyed himself to honest Labour far from Rome in peace for which he was styled happy and obtained the fame of knowledge in his affaires above others by that meanes avoyding dangers Touching the dead and other notable things others have abundantly writ let this therefore suffice for the purpose of the Baianian celebrious Villa's since of the other particulars in the times of those old Roman Princes t is impossible to treat exactly all things being so wholly ruinated and destroyed that scarce any footsteps remain The old City of BAIA The most fair foundations and pitched Piazzaes of the old City Baia lye underneath the waters scarce any fragments remaining on the Land but in the neighbouring Mountains in every corner lye baths hot baths and structures of Admirable Architecture notwithstanding that many great Fabricks were burnt many thrown down by earthquakes and many swallowed up by the Earth In the Sea may be clearly seen the great old Piles of the Port of Baia like those of Pozzuolo built of Brick with intollerable expence which now seem like Rocks as do the enclosures and foundations which of old stood for defence of the Lakes Lucrinus and Avernus against the storms of the Sea which was genenerally believed to be made in this manner to wit that Hercules by his strength upon two carts abrest drew as large a peice of Earth as was requisite and that a mile in length to the place and there fixed it and therefore Posterity for a perpetual remembrance and acknowledgement of so great a benefit erected to him a Round Temple near Bauli whereof some fragments yet are extant But afterwards that repair being wasted by the Sea C. Caesar again restored and bettered it as may be collected from Virgils Georgicks and from Servius his Commentator with whose opinion Suetonius seems to accord saying that Augustus perfected the Julian Port near Baia whence t is supposed that Julius Caesar had first setled it which must have been in his first Consuâ—…lship by Commission of the Senate who gave him that charge at the instance of the Receivers of the Customs and Tolls upon their allegation that the
Pollux and Helena ravished by Paris of the other Castor and Clytemnestra Thence the hill a pleasant descent is reduced into four long Piazzaes and so levelled contains before the front of the palace four great and spatious gardens into each of which at each end and in the middle three pair of stone stairs artificially composed conduct by a facile descent whose sides are bathed by divers purling streams running towards their Lakes Every garden is divided in its orders hath places to sit in and fair collumnes erected in divers parts so that such as go walking from one part to another through places and passages covered over with leaves and vines and other verts alwaies flourishing enjoy a most beautifull prospect and no less sweet odours from the circumjacent flowers which make a pompous shew In the appartments growes fresh grasse which with the flowers by their variety wonderfully entertain the eye and fancy of whoever regard them nor can any satiate himself in the view of those infinite and wonderfull statues pillars Fountains and other objects there presenting themselves The passage from the Piazza before the Palace on the right hand leads through divers walks trees and small groves wherein are placed several Fountains as that of Tothyde that of AEsculapius that of Nigga that of Aretusa and Pandora and that of Pomona and Flora. In the descent into the first garden shews it self the Colossus of Pegasus in Pamosso a horse feigned to have wings under whose shadow a fair Fountain casteth up her waters very high and in the wood rocks is a Cavern and near them a statue of Venus Bacchus near which is a Lake into which some rivolets run among rocks with a murmuring noise between two Colossus one of the Sibilla Tiburtina the other of Melicerta the son of Athamas and Ino whom the Gentiles did honour for one of the Gods of the Sea Below which lye the statues of the Rivers Aniene and Herculano conjoined to certain vessels out of which some waters run into the Lake as also out of the Urns round which stand ten Nymphs In the midst are two Grotts the one of the Sibilla Tiburtina the other of Diana the Goddesse of the woods both which are adorned with fountains statues Curral mother of Pearl and a pavement exactly wrought with mosaick work On the other side of the garden you have a fair prospect of Rome in a semicircle round which appear her most memorable Fabricks and in the midst sits Rome in the habit of a warlike Goddesse between her seaven hills this statue is of marble bigger then a man in shape of a Virgin in a short girt coat with naked hands military buskins and a sword hanging in a belt from the right shoulder Her head is covered with a murrion in her right hand she holds a spear in the left a shield she sits as aforesaid in the midst of her wonders in the City and on every side appear her sacred Fabricks as the Pantheon the Capitolian Temples the Circs the Theatres the Amphitheatres the Collumnes the Obelisks the Mauseoli the Arches Triumphant the Pyramides the Acqueducts the Baths the River Tyber with the wolf and Twin Brothers pouring water into the City out of an urn in the midst of which running waters riseth an Island cut in the shape of a ship which bears on the main yard an Obelisk and the ship seems to be laden with these four Temples the Temple of AEsculapius in the poope and those of Jupiter Berecinta and Faustus it beares in the prow Thence descending to the lower garden you find on the left hand in a semy circle called the great a green grove placed between certain Rocks amid which run fountains this may be called the residence for birds for on the arms of the trees you see many images of little birds singing more sweetly then the natural who clap their wings as if alive receiving their motion from the aire and the waters with miraculous artifice by means of certain little reeds hid in the armes of the trees sometimes to please the spectators they will make a screech owle to appear and then on a suddain as if the birds were sensible of fear they are all silent but that again withdrawn in an instant they all begin their notes and sing most melodiously In the middle of this garden is a round standing water Lake and in it a capacious vessel and a fountain named from the Dragons which vomit out of their throats great store of waters having trumpets in their hands which also emit plentifull waters with a horrid noise imitating the sound of the trumpet On the right hand lies the Grotto of Nature adorned with many statues and in it an Organ with fair pipes the which perform an harmonious consort of various and artificial musick by the motion of the waters The next garden is not only beautifyed by the fair fountains but by the quantity of Swans and fish preserved in their several stations separated with rare artifice In the three greater fountains are certain Beacons called Sudanti and other boundaries round them which cast water very high in such quantities that in their fall they seem natural showers refreshing the air and cooling the earth making noise of waters in their fall as if the winds were high sprinkling and washing at a good distance In the midst of these conserves you see the effigies of the great Father Oceanus placed in a semicircle like a Theatre and in the middle thereof a marble chariot like that of the Venus Marina drawn by foure Sea horses on which sits a great Neptune seeming to threaten with his Trident. Lastly descending into the last garden near the rock you find in one part a Fountain of Triton and on the other a Fountain of Venus Clonina and in the rest of the level besides the Pescheries four Labyrinths difficult enough for any one to get out of that 's once in placed one by another in foure compartments amidst forreign plants The entrance and outlet of these gardens are embellisht with great Fabricks built of Tiburtine stone with great expence Thus much concerning the Villa of Tivoli of Cardinal Hippolito E stense The noble sepulchre of Cardinal Hippolito da Este in the Church will recompence your pains in the sight of it being composed with marble of various colours on it stands a great white marble statue of the said Cardinal of great cost and fair appearance The Castle also affords many worthy objects but what is more considerable is the precipitous descent of the River which falls with such noise and fury from high cliffs of mountains that for the most part its vapours render the air foggie and many times at a distance there seem to hang celestial rainbowes cloudes being at most times over it This River infamed by the writings of the antient takes its rise at the mountain of the Trebani and runs into three noble Lakes which give name to the adjacent castle called
Sea this fish bears a great price in May or June as also of the sword fish particularly at Messina which t is written they cannot take unlesse they speak Greek and to say no more both the Seas and the Rivers abound with all sorts of excellent fish They have also in divers places many baths of hot cool sulphurous and other sorts of water usefull and advantagious in several Infirmities but those are in the River Sen◅ntina near the Cities Sacra and Himera are salt and un wholsome to drink We will not speak of the Fountains of sweet water that are found over all Sicilia and many Rivolets accommodated as well for the life of Man as the enriching their Lands by the overflowing And to speak in brief this Island is not at all inferiour to any other Province either for its fatnesse or abundance but somewhat exceeds Italy in the excellency of their grain saffron honey Beasts skins and other sustenance for the life of Man in so much that Cicero not improperly called it the Granary of the Romans and Homer said that all things grew there of their own accord and therefore calls it the Isle of the Sun Sicilia is likewise admirable for the fame of those things which told exceed our beleef as the Mount Etna Mongibello who sending forth continual fires from its bowels hath not withstanding its head on that part where the fire issues deeply covered in snow to the midst of Summer Not far from Agrigento or Gergento is the Territory Matharuca which with assidu al vomiting of divers veins of waters sends forth a certain Ash coloured Earth and at certain times casting out an incredible Mass of that Earth the one and the other Fields may be heard to roar In Menenino is the Lake Nastia called by Pliny ◅fintia where in three eddies you behold boyling water which alwaies gurgles with an egregious stink and somtimes spues up flames of fire hither antiently resorted all such as through their superstition were to be sworn to any thing It hath likewise in sundry other places divers other Fountains of admirable Qualities and nature for an ample account whereof the reader is referred to Thomaso Fazellio to the end we may abridge our relation here Sicily was inhabited by the Cyclopes which is verified besides what Authors affirm by the bodies of immense bignesse and heigth which in our daies are seen in the Grots or Caves Those Cyclopes being monsters of Men or Gyants whom the Sicani succeeded and them the Siculi or Sicilians Then the Trojans the Candiots the Phenici the Calcidonians the Corinthians and other Greeks the Zanclei the Guidii the Sarasini the Normans the Lombards the Swedes the Germans the French the Arragonians the Spaniards the Catalonians the Genouans and at length many Pisans Lucchesians Bolognians and Florentines all which people at several times inhabited divers parts of this Island untill Charls the fifth Emperor took Corona and after a little time leaving it to the Turks all those Greeks that dwelt there transported themselves into Sicilia The People are of an acute and quick wit noble in their inventions and industrious by nature and said to be of three tongues for their velocity in speech wherein their expressions proceed with much grace to facetiousnesse and quicknesse they are held loquacious beyond measure whence the Antients borrowed the proverb Gerrae Siculae the Sicilian bablings Antient writers attribute the following things to the invention of the Sicilians the art of Oratory the Bucolick or pastoral verse dyall making the Catapul◅e a warlike engine the illustrating of Pictures the Art of Barbing the use of skins of wilde beasts and Ryme They are by nature suspectfull envious evil spoken facil to speak Villany and prone to revenge but industrious subtle flatterers of Princes and studious of Tyranny as saies Orosie which at this day does not so generally appear They are more covetous of their own commodities or conveniences then of the publiques and reflecting on the abundancy of the Countrey sloathfull and without industry Antiently their tables were so splendidly furnished that it became a Proverb among the Greeks but now they follow the frugality of Italy They are valiant in warrs and of uncorruptible faith to their King beyond the custōme of the Greeks they are patient but provoked they leap into extream fury They speak the Italian Language but roughly and without the least sweetnesse and in their habits and other customes live after the manner of the Italians MESSINA THat City of Sicilia that is most illustrious is Messina built with the ruines and reliques of the City Zancla at a thousand paces distance from hence came Dicearchus the hearer of Aristotle the most celebrious Peripatetick Geometritian and eloquent Oratour who wrote many books whereof Fazellius makes mention and Ibicus the Historian and the Lyrick Poet and in the memory of our Fathers times lived there Cola the Fish born at Catana who leaving human society consumed the best part of his life among the fish in the sea of Messina whence he acquired the nick name of fish Hence came also Giovanni Gatto of the preaching order a Philosopher Divine and famous Mathematician who read in Florence Bologna and Ferrara and was afterwards elected Bishop of Catano and lastly hence came Gio Andrea Mercurio a most worthy Cardinal of the holy Church Here stood the City Taurominio which gave birth according to Pausanias to Tisandro Son of Cleocrito who four times overcame in the Olympick Games and as many times in the Pythick and Timeus the historian son of Andromacus who wrote of the transactions in Sicilia and Italy and of the Theban warrs CATANA IT hath also the City Catana one part whereof is washed by the Sea and the other extends it self to the foot of the Mountains where antiently was the Sepulture or burying place for famous and illustrious persons as of Stesicorus the Poet Himerese Xenofane the Philosopher and of two young Brothers Anapia and Anfinomo who the fire of AEtna raging and burning all the Countrey round took up upon their shoulders the one his Father the other his Mother but being disabled by the weight to proceed with speed and the fire overtaking them and at their very feet yet lost not their magnan imity and courage but when almost in despair the fire on a suddain divided it self before them and so they miraculously escaped safe In this City is a Colledge for all the sciences but most particularly they here study the Civil and Canon Laws and from her have issued many illustrious persons as Santa Agatha which the Palermitans will call of their City a Virgin Martyr who under Quintiano in the yeer of our salvation 152 suffered Martyrdome for Christ and Carondo the Philosopher and Legislator and he that was reputed the great Magus Diodorus or Liodorus Hence came also Nicolo Todisco called the Abbot or Panormitano the great Cnnonist and Cardinal who wrote so many books of the Canon Laws
Vicentini the Opitergini Concordiesi Altinati and several other People who to fly the Fury of Attila King of the Hunnes recovered this Place gives no small Imbellishment to this View Between the said Moorish Grounds now the Streets and the Sea by Dame Nature is raised a Fence or Bank to defend the City the small Islands against the furious Waves of the Sea with which 't is invironed Which Fence is Thirty five Miles long and bends in the shape of a Bow opening it self in five several Places for each of which is a Gate as well to permit Barkes to enter in at them as to maintain the said Channels full of Water The profound Havens of Chioza and Malamocco with the Forts built at the Mouth of the said Havens to keep any Armado or Fleet at a distance And lastly the beholding the Mountaines of Carnia and of Histria and on the Right Hand the Apenine Hills with Lumbardy together with the Famous Hills called Euganei with the mouthes of the Rivers Adice and Poe and behind them the Alpes of Baviera and of the Gerisons alwaies covered with Snow gives no small satisfaction nor beauty to his Prospect And now we come to the Famous Piazza or broad place of S. Mark whose platform resembles a Carpenters square at the one end whereof stands the Admirable Church of St. Mark and at the other That of St. Geminian wrought with excellent Stones and round the said Place are built fair and sumptuous Houses all of Marble Stone under which are large open Galleries wherein are Shops for several Artificors In this place daily appear an infinite number of Persons of all Qualities and Countries in their several Habits as well for Newes and Discourses as for Traffick and Merchandize At the upper end of the said Place upon the Channel called La Giâ—…deca are two Pillars admired for their Heigth and Bigness which were transported heretofore from Constantinople upon the one whereof stands a Winged Lyon the Republick Armes in token of St. Marke their Protector with this Motto Pax tibi Marce Evangelistâ—…mens and upon the other is set the Statue of St. Theodore between which Justice is done upon Traitorous Persons These were brought from Greece to Venice in the time of Sebastian Ciani the Duke upon certain Vessels of burden together with another of equal Greatness the which overcomming the Power and Industry of the Workmen labouring to lay it on the Earth it fell into the Water where at this time t is to be seen in the Deep These vast Columns were reared by an Engineer of Lombardy named Nicolo Berreterro by the strength of great Ropes wet with water retiring by little and little who asked no other reward for this his worke but that it might be Lawful for Dice-Players to play there when they pleased without any penalty This Piazza is not intirely one alone but fower united together Opposite to the Church are reared three Standards upon three high pieces of Timber which are fastened by Lead cast into the boared holes they are wrought with figures to denote the liberty of this City and have Brass Pedestalls On the right side of the Church stands the Clock house adorned with the Celestial Signs gilt thereon with the Sun and Moons monethly ingress into them most exactly wrought and painted Neer the Steeple is a sumptuous Palace built in this Age after the Ionick and Dorick fashion which reaches even to the Church of Sain Geminian which for the excellency of the Marble Statues Casements Cornishes Frets and other ornaments together with the most incomparable Architecture gives not place to any palace of Italy Next is the Zecca or Mint-house built all of flint Stone and Iron Barrs without any manner of Timber Annexed thereunto Stands the Library which had its Original from Petrarca and was afterwards aggrandized by the Cardinals Niceno Alexandro and Grimano Lastly this Piazza is rendred so Proud and marvellous by the Uniformity of Building and other Imbellishments that I cannot say all Europe affords its like The Island Muran must next be visited by taking Gondola or Boat which for its Furnaces of Glass is much admired through the World This Island is distant from Venice about a Mile and was begun to be inhabited by the Altinati and Opitergini for fear of the Hunnes At present 't is very comely and resembling Venice as well in the structures as in the Quantity of Churches but much more pleasant and delightful in respect most of the Houses have open and spacious Gardens set with all sorts of fruitful Trees Among others is the Church of Saint Peter with a Monastery belonging to the preaching Fryers well built wherein is a famous Library full of good Books In this Place they make all sorts of Vessels of Glass called Crystal Glass whose variety Workmanship surpass all others of the same materials of the whole world And the Artizans except in excellency of the materials every day find out new Inventions to make them appear more desirable with works divers from one another I will not speak of the variety of colours which they give thereunto because 't is so marvellous that I imagine it worthy all Peoples sight They counterfet excellently several things of Agate Calcidonian Emerald and Hyacinths with other pretty Toyes so excellently that I believe were Pliny to be revived and should behold them he would admiring them much more praise these mens workmanship and these artificial things than he does the vessels of Earth made and burned by the People of Aretini or of any other Nation Opposite to the Piazza of Saint Mark and about half a mile distaâ—…t is seen the Church of Saint George the Greater a stately structure of Marble In which is beheld most curious Marble both in the Pavements and in the Statues with rich workmanship of Silver and most sumptuous Sepulchres of Princes The Fryers of Saint Benedict have here a noble Monastery wherein are long open Galleries spacious Courts ample eating-Rooms and sleeping-Chambers as also most pleasant Gardens with a worthy Library In Venice are seventeen Rich Hospitals with a great number of wealthy Churches adorned with the exactest marble Stone consisting of sixty seven Parish-Churches fifty fower Convents of Fryers twenty six Monasteries of Nunns eighteen Chapels six Schools kept within the Principal Fryeries or Monasteries In all which Churches are fifty bodies of Saints one hundred forty and three Organs many Statues made at the cost of the Republick in remembrance of illustrious Persons which have valiantly fought for her or done some other signal piece of service that is to say 165 of Marble and 23 of Brass among which most worthily presents it self That proud Statue on Horseback wrought with Gold of Bartolomeo Coglione the most famous Captain-General of the Venetian Army dedicated to him by this Republiek before the Church of Saint John and Paul in testimony of his Fidelity and Valour Moreover there are fifty six
near which stands a Palace in manner of a Fortress built with those very Large squared wrought Stones which were brought from the other ruinated Palaces and Forts by Eccellino the Tyrant with a Fort and most fayr Tower in the yeer 1250 And is now possessed by the Count Giacomo Zabarella as is above said The seventh wonderfull Object of Padoua is il Prato della valle a Meadow so ample that t would alone contain a great City It was antiently called Campo Marzo the field of Mars from the Martial exercises there used and in this place were many Saints beheaded by the Pagans to such a number that they are wont to say that part which is compassed by Water was emplastered with the blood of those Martyrs Here every first Saturday of the Moneth is held a free Fayr or Market of all sorts of Cattel and other Creatures and at the Feast of Saint Antonio is a famous Fayr there which although it happens in the hottest Weather being there kept for fifteen days in the midest of June and that there are then many thousands of Creatures yet there is never seen a Fly to molest them If to these might be added an eighth Wonder we would name the Vineyard or Garden of the Knight Bonifacio Papa fava situate in the Street called Vanzo where besides a most fair and adorned Palace you beholds many statues of excellent workmanship and infinite numbers of Cittron and Orange Trees which forme lovely walks to the Passengers for beautifying whereof of those Trees are framed Arches and Prospects to delight the eye to whose confines is conjoyned a full stream of water brought from the main River by a curious Aqueduct which being confined to one Gate under the Wall gives at its utterance a sweet murmur and with its clear gurgling on every side washes the Foot of the Palace And the flowry bankes within which the said Rivolet is contained renders the Palace as it were in an Island of so specious delights and pleasant Savours that what is added by Art to that of Nature may well cause it to be termed the eighth wonder Hither flock for their Pastime the Ladies and Gallants of Padoua inviteing with them also the Foreiners with their Musick and other Pastimes where in the hottest Weather the shade of the Trees the Ampleness of the Walks the pleasantness of the Waters and the beauty of the site add to their other joys and delights a fresh Ayr. And although these beauties shew themselves in perfection yet that magnanimous Cavalier never ceases to illustrate it to his no small costs with greater delights and by this and his other Gallantries shewes himself to be born of that Family which for its Greatness and Dominion was no less formidable in Italy than renowned in Europe At this present resides here this Noble Person with his Brother Scipio Papafava Knight of the great Cross of the Order of Hierusalem Prior of Messina and the most worthy Primate of the whole Kingdome of Sicilia together with the virtuous Roberto Son of the above named Cavalier Bonifacio young in yeers but his conditions aâ—…d practices may challenge the ripest Age who is the Comendatory Abbot of Sebinico being Doctor of Philosophy of Divinity of the Laws a true Splendor to his Country and Family being conversant in the Greek Latine and Hebrew Tongues and well known in the Mathematicks as was testified by the singular experiments of his Ingenuity some Moneths since There flourishes likewise of this Noble Family at this time a numerous company of Cavaliers and great Subjects who degrade not from their most famous and Antient Progenitors of whom to speak but little will diminish from their Fame and much is not opportune in this place for their Ordinary dwelling these Signors have a Palace in the Street San Francesco Maggiore where they have Coppies of exquisite Books in all the Professions left them by Monsignor Ubertino Papafava Bishop of Adria Brother of Bonifacio besides many antient Manuscripts and Authors not yet printed which relate the Histories of this Family also the old coyning Press of the Carraresian Princes with other pretious monuments of this House preserved in the Chamber of Rowles of the said Palace which may be termed the most large and worth seeing of this City And now we come to the Spiritual wonders and Churches of Padoua whereof the first is the Domo or Cathedral Church situate near in the midst of the City The Padouans were converted to the Christian Faith by the predication of Saint Prosdocimo their first Bishopp authorized by Saint Peter who among others baptized Vitaliono the Chief Man in this City who therefore built the Church of Saint Soffia Henry the fourth Emperor enriched this Cathedral giving to it twenty seaven rich Canonicats of so good a revenew that they may be styled so many Bishops among which are four dignities that is to say Arch priest Arch. Deacon The Person that hath charge of the wax c. And the Deacon there are twelve under Canons six Custodi or Rectors and six Mansonary or Houskeepers and more than 60 other Persons and Clerks belonging to the Chapel besides the Masters of Grammar and Musick with many excellent Singers so that this Clergy exceeds a hundred Persons and their Revenew above a hundred thousand Duckats by the yeer which makes it the most noble and Rich of Italy and therefore t is that the Bishop of Padoua is styled a little Pope and his Canons with some reason the Cardinals of Lombardy for that their Chapter is alwaies filled with the Nobility of Venice Padoua and other Cities whereof so many have ascended to the Miter and Hatt that t is worthily called to this day the Seminary of Cardinals and great Prelates In this Church not elsewhere as is pretended lyes enterred the Wife of Henry the fourth whose name was Berta as is proved by this antique Inscription Praesulis Cleri praesenti praedia phano Donavit Regina jacens hoc marmore Berta Henrici â—…egis Patavi celeberrima quarti Conjunx tam grandi dono memoranda per aevum Under the Chorus within a rich Monument of Marble lies the Body of Saint Daniel one of the four Tutelars Two great Cardinals repose in this Church who were both Arch priests of the same that is to say Pileo de Pratta and Francesco Zabarella with other eminent Persons Pileo Conti di Pratta a Citizen of Padona and of Furlan was for his vertue created Bishop of Padoua and afterwards Cardinal of Saint Prassede by Pope Gregory the 11th and Apostolick Legate But in the yeer 1378. the Schism being risen between Urban the sixth his successor and Clement the Antipope he was deposed by Urban after whose death Bonifacio the ninth suceeding he was again created Cardinal with the Title of the Tusculan Bishop and Apostolick Legate and finally he dyed at Padoua and was buried in this Church in a sublime and most noble Arch with this memorial Pileus
Sacco from which the Bishop of Padoua takes his Title of Count a little beyond that stands Polverara where are bred the largest foul as Cocks and Hens of all Italy Near which begins the Sholes or Gulph of Venice between which appears the most antient now deserted Citâ—…y of Adria which formerly gave the name of Mare Adriaticum to the Sea now called the Golph of Venice Towards the North stands the Castle di Campo San Piero whence that Noble Family took its name and Original Between Padoua and Bassano is built a Citâ—…adel Towards the West is the City Vicenza with the famous Mountains Euganei so called in the Greek tongue for their excessive deliciousness whence the Padouans extract great quantities of Medicinal herbs Which Hils are neither part of the Alps nor part of the Apenines a thing scarce credible than which Constantiue Paleologo said as Rodigino reports that besides the Terrestial Paradice t was not possible the World could afford a place more full of delights At five miles distance from Padoua are extant the Baths of Albano where is to be admir'd the different kinds of Waters how out of a vast high cavernous Rock arises two sources of Water not above 2 foot one from the other of a perfect different nature the one whereof encrusts converts into a hard white stone not only the Banks by which it runs but what ever els is cast into it in creasing the saidc rustment of what is thrown in according to the time t is left in it and that which is more it begets Stone of the same nature upon the wheel of a Mill which is turned by its stream which every Moneth enforces the workemen to beat it off with Pickaxes that their Mill may not be hindred the Water hereof is never drunk by any creature being held very hurtfull but the other Water runs upon a light Sand is much more light in weight than the first and is divers times drank for sundty healthfull operatioÌ„s the people have dug the Earth in parts round the said Hill and have found Sulphure about the middle part and at the root of them having dug towards the East and South parts they have found Salt Abano at this day is nothing so much inhabited as we ought to believe it was heretofore by reason that upon any digging they often find underground many Reliques of Antiquity some also will have it that here they spun the finest Linnen Cloth On the other side of Abano stands the sumptuous and rich Monastery of Praia with the black Monks of Saint Renedict and near it the Church of Santa Maria di Monte Ortone Approaching whereunto is the Convent of the Fryars Ermitans of Saint Augustine called Scalci or without Shoos in which are sources of boyling water and mud excellent for pains and shrunk sinews though the difficulty with which they are come at renders them of less common use than they would be for they are a vast way in the Earth and in small quantities too but they are of a white colour and stiff as well wrought clay not black and dirty as those which are commonly gotten out of the adjacent Montagnone They pass from Padoua to Estè upon the River and upon the way espy the noble Castle of Monselice environed with most pleasant Hills also the foundations of a ruinated fortress where they gather infinite numbers of Vipers for the composing of that so much famed Venice Treacle On the left side whereof is the Hill Arquato Contrada much spoken of in memory of Franc Petrarca whose habitation being long there at length he gave up the Ghost and was there honourably interred in a sepulchre of Marble with this Epitaph enscribed which himself made as followes Frigida Francisci lapis hic tegt ossa Petrarcae Suscipe virgo Parens animam sate Virgne parce Fessaque jam terris caeli requiescat in Arce At this day also may be seen there his House his Chair and little Garden Two miles distant from Arquato upon a little Hill is Cataio a large Town of the Signors Obici thence they come to Battaglia a Parish near the River seaven miles after which one arrives at Estè a noble Castle and antient whence that Illustrious Family of Estè drew their Original Whose Palace is transformed into a Monastery by the Dominican Fryers From this Country they extract besides abundance of all other things for sustenance excellent Wines It contains 100000 Souls and the publick have 18000 Crowns of yeerly income There they ascend the Mountain of Vende where is a Monastery of the Fryers of Mount Oliveto three miles whence stands another Mountain where is the rich Abbacy and Monastery of the Fryers of Camaldol Tenn miles beyond Estè is seated the noble Castle of Montagnana nothing inferiour to that of Estè neither in Riches nor Civility where they much trade in Hemp. Eight miles farther is Lendinara a very strong Castle Town washed with the River Adice but the Ayr is a little gross in the Winter time it contayns 4000 Souls Near which is the Castle Sanguienedo in the Confines between the Venetians and the Duke of Mantoua where there is a fayr even way for eighteen miles length Isuing out of the gate of Padoua called S. Croce which leads to Ferrara first you meet Conselve heretofore a Castle of the Signori Lazara where stands the most delitious palace of the Count Nicholas of Lazara a magnanimous and generous Knight wherein Henry the third King of France and Poland quartered near it lies the Count Paludo whence the said Signor derives his Lordship t is a Country Noble and Fertile is a Convent of the Fathers Hermitans founded by Giovanni de Lazara Knight of S. Giacomo and Lieutenant General of the Venetian Cavalrie in the yeer 1574. After which is met Anguillara whereby the Adice passeth Farther on they go to Rovigo made a City by the Prince or Duke of Venice seated 25 miles from Padoua and 18 from Ferara It was built out of the Ruines of Adria whence t is not allocated above a mile t is hathed by an Arm of the Adice where are erected noble dwellings environed with a deep Ditch or Fosse which in circuit are about a mile its Country is most Fertile being compassed about with the 4 Rivers The Poe the Adice the Tartaro the Castagnaro And so it borrowes the name of Polesine which signifies Peninsula almost an Island from its length and the circum volution of those Rivers Many Illustrious Persons have added to the Glory of this their Countrey as the Cardinal Roverella Brusoneo the Poet Celio the Riccobuoni and Gio Tomaso Minadoi a most learned Physician who wrote the Persian History with other famous men It hath a Church dedicated to Saint Bellino heretofore Bishop of Padoua the Priests whereof with miraculous success restore to health such as are bit by mad Dogs whom they as suddainly cure as indubitably with
and reduce it to forms which in great abundance grows on these Mountains which also serve for the feeding their Flocks and Herds The Summano is famed for its rare simples and for the Temple of Mary the Virgin which according to common belief was heretofore dedicated to the God Summano which Idol being destroyed by Saint Prosdocimo the Temple was consecrated to the Mother of God Some yeers since was found there a most antique Stone engraven with Roman Letters which by the Learned is intepreted thus Palemon Vicentinus Latinae Linguae Lumen And gives confidence that Palemon was buried there which Rhemio Palemon the Vicentine flourished in the time of Augustus in Grammar and Rhetorick when those professions were in much more esteem than at this day the very Emperours in those dayes not disdaining to assist therein From Piovene you ascend to the Sette Communi which are seven Villages filled with a great number of most fierce People dwelling on those Mountains whom one would think created by Nature for a Parapet to the Vicentines against the incursions of the Germans Their Language is so strange that though it approach the German as much as it can yet the sharpness of their pronunciation renders it unintelligible even to the Germans some think they were the Reliques of the Gothes They enjoy many exemptions for their fidelity to their Prince and the City Maximilian the Emperour in February 1508. attempted by this part to surprise Viceâ—… with a flying Army descending from Trento but the noise thereof spread and the Peaseants raised by Girolamo and Christofero Capra with others of their Family in Piedment who having possessed themselves of the narrow passes of Asiago and the Fâ—…rni with five hundred Souldiers of their party opposed his Army compelling them with much slaughter to a dishonourable retreat Their Readiness and Valour in which action was greatly acknowleged by the Venetian Senate In Sum All its Territories are most beautifull the Hills contending with the Valleys for fertility and goodness The wines there growing in great Plenty are esteemed without compare the best of all these Countreys which occasioned the Proverb Vin Vicentin c. with that variety of Colour and Tast a rare thing that both Winter and Summer the most delicate Palate may meet its full satisfaction There being Wine sweet and sharp which please and cut Aromatick and Fragrant Stomachal and brisk with a hundred other real differences all most digestible healthfull and gratefull to the Palate It produceth Corn of all sorts Pears Apples and all other Fruits for every Moneth in great abundance The Peasants have such infinite numbers of Calves and Kids that they supply half Venice whither the conveniency of Water and cariage invites them to vent the superfluities thereof as also their admirable Venison Partridges Pheasants God wits Quailes and Quoists and although their Fining is not equal to their Fouling yet they want not either red or white Trouts Lampreys or other Stone-fish besides what certain Lakes afford of excellent sorts They much inrich themselves by the Craft there much used as well within as without the City of making Cotton Clothes which are esteemed no loss for their goodness than whiteness They have likewise great quantities of Silk-worms and therefore t is that their Countrey is so well planted with Mulbery-Trees whereof the Woâ—…s feed and thereof they extract at least 500000. Crowns a yeer distributing them to all Merchants that resort thither for them which much adds to their Riches here also they fetch Fullers Earth for many uses into several Countreys as also the Sand wherewith at Venice they pollish their Looking Glasses Trento affords them some mines of Silver and Iron but much Stone for all sorts of Structures some whereof for their hardnese are compared to the Istrian Stone and others for their fineness to the Marble of Carrara The conveniences of Tymber Stone Sand and unslacked Lime considered with their active and ingenuous Natures together with the laboriousness of the Peasants and the beauty and variety of Sites is that which nourisheth so much the Art and discipline in their Workmen of the Architecture of 〈◊〉 Whence Botero deservedly accounts this Province for one of the four most delitious and rich Provinces of Italy It s Ayr being so pure and healthfull that they reach great Ages besides that this Cliâ—…t in all Ages hath produced Men eminent no less or Learning than Arâ—…s as appears in the Histories and enclines the ordinary sort to a certain Spriteness and aptness to all occupations and exercises In its Territory they number one hundred and three score thousand Souls which added to them of the City amounts to two hundred thousand dispersed into 250. Towns and Villages which are governed by two Podesta'es and eleven Vicariats Noble Venetians and Noble Vicentines whose Jurisdictions are limited to civil matters only Criminal Causes being wholly reserved to the Consulary The Prince draws from Vicenza eighty thousand Duckats annually without the least charge and makes the Province to maintain three thousand select and well disciplined Foot under four Captains who alwaies reside at their several Quarters and the City one thousand Muskeâ—…teers Also for the urgent necessity of War they have made a new calculation of such persons as are fit to bear Arms from 18 yeers old to 20. and they have thereupon enrolled in a Book the names of 16000. flourishing brave Youths Its Territory is one hundred and fifty miles in circumference Vicenza is distant from Padoua 18. miles from Venice 43. from Verona 30. from Mantoua 50. from Trent 44. from Treviso 33. Thus for a conclusion we may with truth affirm that reflecting on their Political State the strength of the City which consists not so much in the circuit of the Walls as the Liberty and amplitude of its Territory Their riches and the number Valour and gallantry of their People Vicenza will find few Cities equal and consequently will find no small esteem from a wise Prince VERONA The Antient. T Is the Vulgar Criticism on this name that syllabilzed It comprehends the three first syllables of the three head Cities of Italy Ve Venetia Ro Roma Na Napoli others more stricty interpret that whatecer may be found in those three Cities abounds there Verona is reckoned amongst the most Noble Cities of Italy Built long since by the Toscanes was one of the twelve by them cmoÌ„anded on this side the Apenines The Galli Cenomani peopled it having beat out the Toscanes It s name as some other say was taken from an antient Noble Family of the Toscanes called Vera. It is seated near the Mountains towards the South as t were in a plain and is in form little less than a Square In the time of Augustus Caesar it was much larger as many inducements make us believe among others That t is written they used to set forth 50000 Souldiers which appears no great wonder since Cornelius Tacitus called Ostilia a Burrough thereof though
turning on the left hand after having met with many fruitfull Hills and the ruins of an antient Castle you come to the Burrough S. Michael which hath a fair Church dedicated to the blessed Virgin wherein they have seen many miricles and many Paper Mills being 5. miles from Verona then following the way a little on the right hand one findes the Baths helpfull for the Sterility of Women and to refresh the Reyns where the Learned Calderino was born who after lived in Rome T is reported that there stood an antient Castle and that the Church of Saint Matthew the Apostle was a Temple of Juno Opposite whereto upon a Hill is seen il Castllo Soave built in a lovely site by the Scaligeri a little forwarder is Monte Forte a Town belonging to the Veronian Bishoprick upon the very confines as on the other side on the confines is the Burrough Saint Boniface On that part which looks towards the North-East are some plains well inhabited That part looking towards the South begins from the Porta Nova and goes to Lonigo a Cologna wherein is nothing remarkable more than its fertility and the head of the River Tartaro and on that side towards Mantoua 17. miles distant from Verona is the Island Scala so well replenished with people and goods that it hath in some sort the face of a City Towards the West before Verona lies a Stony untild Champion or Downs but famous for divers deeds of Arms there performed by great Captains T is said that Sabino Giuliano who would have gotten the Empire was there by Carino Cesare overthrown and flain that Odouacro King of the Herlui and Turcillingi having by violence obteyned the Kingdome of Italy forcing out Augustolo and therein tyranized some yeers was in this place discomfited in a Battel of three days by Theodorick King of the Ostrogoths That Lamberto Son of Guidon King of Spoleto was there overcome with 14000. Hungarian Souldiers by Berengarius That some yeers after by Gugone Arelatense Arnoldo Captain of Baviera with a potent Army of Germans was there cut in pieces whom the Veronians first called into Italy for King against Hugone and had received into their City as victorious and triumphant That there likeness was overcome and deprived of his Kingdom the second Berengarius by Rodolfus Borgondus and that in antient times in that place were fought many Battels of no less consequence than obaining or losing of the Kingdom of Italy with various success But as to what Biondo saith that in that Down C. Marius vanquished the Germans and the Cimbrians who made a furious incursion into Italy 't is very uncertain because Historians much differ in describing the place where that memorable Act was performed Thence one may go to Villa Franca and Sanzeno rich Villages confines to the Mantoua Territories but if from those Downs one take towards the South having passed many Villages you arrive at Peschiero a strong Castle but of ill Ayr 14. miles from Verona seated on the Banks of the Lake Garda where the River Menzo hath its source and on the left side of the Lake five miles further off most ill way stands Rivoltella and two miles onward Desensano the confines of Verona On that part of Verona towards the North-west are many Hills placed in the form of a Theatre where they are stocked with fertile Vineyards and so much adorned with beautifull Palaces and Gardens that the prospect at a distance much pleaseth within these Hils is the Vale Paltena inhabited and Fertil and following the plain appear many and stately Palaces on the banks of the Adice which runs through that Campagna At 10. miles distance from Verona upon the ascent of certain little Hills may be beheld the Valley Pulicella replenish't with many Castles great Towns behind which begin the Mountains of Trento they say that in the said Valley there are two teats of Stone cut with a Chizel which constantly distill a water wherewith if a Woman having lost her Milk bath her Nipples it will return in great abundance Returning to Verona by the Adice on one fide is the foot of the Mountain Baldo and many Castles and Burroughs On the other fide a plain to Peschiera and there begin the Mountains which are on the right hand-shore of the Lake there stands Bardolino where those incomparable Figs grow whereof Soliman Emperor of the Turks delighted to discourse of with the Christian slaves as also Gardo which gives name to the Lake and many other Castles In this place is to be admired the vastness of the Venetians Minds who conveyed over those rough and mountainous places both Galleys and Ships armed in all particulars to fight in the Lake with Filippo Visconse Captain of the Milanesians Mount Baldo whereof somewhat is spoken formerly ought here to be set before all the Mounts of Italy being 30. miles in circumference affording excellent and rare plants and some veins of Copper The Lake GARDA ANtiently the Castle Benaco gave name to this Lake where now is Tusculano but at present it takes name from Gardo aforenamed This Lake from Peschiera which lies on the South of it is 35. miles long towards the North and from Salo on the West shore to Garda or Lacice on the East is 14. miles broad It is very tempestuous and many times raises waves as high as Mountains which at certain seasons of the yeer makes it dangerous to navigate and this they believe proceeds from the enclosure of the winds by the Mountains hindring by their surrounding its issuing out Wherefore Virgil saies Fluctibus fremitu assurgens Benace marino This Lake affords well-relisht fish in great plenty but chiefly Trouts Carps and Eels whereof Pliny speaks at large Eight miles from Peschiera runs a neck of Land in to the Lake two miles long which seems to divide the Lake Here antiently was Sirmione which gave birth to Catullus the Poet but now remains nothing but a small Castle though abounding with all delitiousness On the same side is Rivoltella and Disensano a principal Market Town of those parts not defective in any thing But on the other shore there are many fair Castles among others Salò Prato di Fame where the Bishops of Trent Verona and Brescia may each standing in his own Diocess shake hands The Country there is pleasant bearing Olivs Figs Pomegranates Lemons Citrons and other fruitfull Trees which there flourish much by having the River Lake on one side and the Mountains on the other defending it from blasting winds and affording the reflex of the Sun all day from its rise to the setting which renders it one of the beautifullest places of Italy The number of the People inhabiting this Valley and Lake of Garda shall be given in the Description of the Valleys BRESCIA BRescia by the Romans Brixia is seated 20 miles from Disensano which a direct Road leads unto
concur in the rendring it a rich City t is full of regard and filled with Merchandize and a haughty self-conceited sort of men but better illustrated by their gratious and loving Women who flourish are free and most pompous in their array It is adorned with sumptuous and magnificent Fabricks among which the most conspicuous are the publick Palace the Piazza and the Domo with its Tower wherein is a large Bell of fair and open Architecture with two regardfull Chapels one dedicated to the blessed Virgin all over garnished with excellent pictures the other to Saint Mark no less beautified with gilt Images Two other not able things this Church owns to wit that Wooden crucifix which in Anno 144â—… was cast into the Fire by a certain man called Giovanni Alchini of the faction of Gibellina Bergamesca which would not burn but is still preserved with the one side a little singed in a particular Chapel with great Veneration the other is a Key of San Bellino which hath the foretold miraculous curing virtue of such as are bit by madd Doggs In the same Church are conserved certain trophies of Banners and a Lanthern of a Gally taken together with the Gally in a Naval fight against the Turks by a Preacher of the most noble Family of Zurly during the fight being set at the head of the Gally Besides the above named Fabricks and things worth seeing in this City two Hospitals are valuable One for the infirm the other for the decrepit and outcasts the sacred Mount of Piety is well endowed and governed with great providence by the publick to supply the necessities of the City and Country There is also a noble Academy for Students who under the name of Sospinti employ themselves in good exercises with an impulse of generous emulation Distant a quarter of a mile from the City stands towards the Castle a magnificent Temple of great devotion named Santa Maria della Croce of an admirable Structure and adorned with many rare Pictures To this noble and fair City though Little as little best corresponds with little belongs a small but most fertil Territory washed all over with current and Christalline waters which affords the City good Fish as Lobsters Trouts Gudgeons and Eels and the Country an enriching of their soyl by overflowings whereby it yeelds great plenty of Corn and Grass the first whereof they have for their own use and other Cities and with the second they make incomparable cheese But that wherewith it most abounds is Flax which after made into the finest Drapery is spent all over Italy In its territories though small are contained fifty four Villages and Towns the chief whereof are Monte dine Stanengo Camisano Tetrore Vaiano Bagnelo Madegnano being all most populous The Original of this City was taken from its situation for being invironed then with the three Rivers Ada Oglio and Serio it was very strong and that strength as is believed invited many noble men of the neighbouring Cities in the time of the Wars of Albonio King of the Longobards to retire themselves thither and from Cremete one of the chief of those Nobles it took its name For Forty yeers it maintained it self in liberty but then she with the other Cities of Italy suffered shipwrack being by the Longobards Frederick Barbarossa and others many times taken burnt sacked and destroyed and subjugated sometimes to the Emperors sometimes to the French and sometimes to the Germans But now t is governed by the most Serene Republick of Venice under whom it hath the privilege to keep every yeer a Fair beginning at the end of September being frequented with innumerable concourse of People divers Merchandizes and Commodities and great store of Cattle of all sorts It ever was the Mother of illustrious persons as well learned in all the sciences as famous Captains eminent Engineers Generals of Armies writers of Histories as well Moral as Divine Prelates of the greatest Negotiations and Cardinals some whereof have possessed the Pontificial Chayr MILAN the great MIlan was an antient and illustrious City and for a long time through its beauty remained an imperial Seat Behind its shoulders rise those Mountains which separate Italy Before it is a long and spatious Plain which extending it self above 200. miles reacheth the Church lands between Rimio and Pesaro on the one side and Istria and Osia on the other side Whereof Polibius writes thus There is a plain between the Alps and the Apennines of a triangular Forn wherein are pleasant Fields above all the Fields not only of Italy but all Europe Of which Triangle the Apennines form one side the Alps another and the Adriatick Sea or Gulf of Venice as it were the basis to the other two makes up the third side And although Milan was heretofore a small Town it was nevertheless much aggrandized and amplified by Belovese King of the Galls having environed it with a Wall 24. foot broad and 64. feet high which compassed in all the Streets and round of the City in which Wall were raised 130. Bulwarks and Towers of immense bigness and heighth which had six principal Gates This was effected 270 yeers before Brenta King of the Senoni fell down into Italy who threw down and levelled it with the Foundations But the Roman Senate having restored it to its first form and beauty and being increased in Riches and People Attila King of the Hunns descending into Italy ruined it once more Afterwards t was again rebuilt by the Arch-Bishop Eusebius rearing the Wall again and re-edifying the ruinated Building And one hundred yeers after that is in Anno Salutis 577. the Goths exercised so great cruelty towards the Milanesi that after they had cast down the Walls and Edifices they in one day slew thirty thousand Citizens This City was likewise ill treated by Erimberto Brother of the King of France and by Federick Barbarossa the Emperor who with intendment of its perpetual desolation ploughed sowed it w th salt but being afterwards reconciled to the Citizens he restored it to its former beauty encompassing it round with a wall wherein were set out six principal Gates At which time viz. in the 1177. year the circnit of it was six miles without the suburbs but now there is a Wall drawn round which comprehends therein the Suburbs also which was done by Gonzaga Lieutenant of the Emperor Charls the 5th and is in circumference ten miles having very deep Fosses or Ditches and ten Gates This City before the coming of Belloveso as is aforesaid was but a Town called Subria built by the Tuscans then Belloveso coming from Gallia beat out the Tuscans aggrandized and much beautified the Town As to the name Mediolano as formerly called diverse are the opinions some say t was so called for that it was seated between two Rivers the Adda and the Tesino Others say that name was imposed on it by Belloveso by the command of the Gods giving him to understand that he should
build a City where he should find a Farrowing Sow half black and half white with Wool between her shoulders Whence finding such a Sow in that place and esteeming it a good augure and praesage he built it naming it Mediolana as much as to say Meza Lana or half Wool in remembrance of which thing we find in a Marble over the Gate of the Palace of Merchants the shape and figure of the said Scrofa or Farrowing Sow The Galls kept the Dominion of this City a long time under Belloveso and his Successors till they were beaten out by the Romans who subjected it for a great while to them under whom it augmented in riches and People chiefly under the Emperors as well Greek as Latine some whereof much delighted to reside there invited thereto by the beauty of the place and the comodiousness of managing the Wars against the French and Germans as necessity required It so much humoured Trajan the Emperor that he there built that proud Palace which to this day retains his memory Adrian Massiminian Hercules Filippo a Christian Emperor Constantine Constanzo Theodosio with many other Emperors dwelt there left most stately Edifices and caused four Wi-draughts or Common shores to be dugg which continue to this day Afterwards it became subject to the Goths and to the Longobards who being driven out by Charls the great it came under the power of the Emperors In which time Contado Suevio being Emperor it began to take boldness and aspire to Liberty when Justice was administred by the Captains and other Officers elected by the People uniting with them the Primate or Arch-Bishop of the City by the Peoples election In which time great discord arising between the Nobility and Plebeians and thereby governing themselves very ill they to prevent those disorders put themselves under the power of those of Torre afterwards to the Visconti who a great space kept the Dominion whom the Sforzeschi succeeded them the French and last of all the house of Austria obtained it and keep it to this day in good peace and tranquillity Milan lies under the sixth Climate or Degree which affords it a great benignity of the skies yet the Ayr is somewhat thick Chanels of water environ both the City and Suburbs upon which by Barks they conveigh great abundance of goods and provisions of all sorts In truth t is a wonderfull thing to behold the great plenty of all things for the life or necessity of Man which are there and t is held for certain that in no other part of Europe there is so great provision for the Belly nor at less price than is here whence the Proverb is taken Solo in Milano si mangia For whereas in other Cities one finds not above three Piazzaes at most where are kept sueh publick Markets in Milan there are a hundred whereof 21. are principal which every fourth day of the week are vastly laden with all sorts of Provisions For wines they chiefly have Vernaccie of Montfâ—…rrat and the Wines of Brianza so much spoken of Moreover for that it is the Centre of Lombardi hither they transport infinite quantities of Merchandize from Germany France Spain and Geneva T is seated in a wide Plain having about it green hills delightfull Meadows navigable Rivers and Lakes which furnish them with delicate Fish In summ this Country affords in most plentifull measure whatsoever can be desired T is so thronged with Artizans of all sorts that the vulgar proverb goes Chi volesse rassettare Italia rovinarebbe Milano But the chief of them are Gold-Smiths Armourers Gun-makers and Weavers who here exceed in these particulars and in works of Christal either Venice or any other part of Italy the Nunns work here likewise most exact and neat curiosities in straw works It abounds likewise with most magnificent and Stately Palaces among which the stupendious Palace of Tomaso Marini built with so vast expence and Artifice that whoever beholds it stands amazed shines like the Moon among the Starrs The Castle of Porta Zobbia named among the chief of Europe both for its site greatness beauty and its plenty of Artiglery Arms and Ammunition is so impregnable that hitherto t was never taken by force but through failer of provisions and Famine it hath been yeelded up This Fort may be compared to an indifferent City for within it are streets Piazzaes Palaces Shops for Gold-Smiths and all other Trades whatsoever together with all sorts of Victuals and other provision in time of War as well as Peace Immense Bastions with three large profound Dykes environ it through which run great Chanels of Water with a most vast Wall and spatious Ramparts under which they walk by a close way made to that purpose Upon the Battlements and through the Porteholes up and down are drawn out great Mouths of Cannon and other pieces of Artiglery set upon Iron Carriages some whereof shoot Bullets of 800. pound weight with such force that no obstacle can withstand them It hath one place to lay up and dispose the Arms in a Capacious Arcenal replenisht with infinite Arms of all sorts both for Offence and Defence The Tower in the midst of it is of a square form and is in circuit not reckoning the Towers which one may call little Forts 200. paces The whole Castle or Fort is 1600. paces in circum ference besides the Trenches In fine t is accounted by all Ingineers the fairest and strongest fortification of Europe They unwillingly admit any Stranger to see the out-works much less the interiour parts It abounds with rare and excellent Pictures among others there is one upon the Front of a Palace near the Fort wherein are painted the Acts of the Romaus by the hand of Trofo da Monza so divinely that t is impossible to add to it The Images are done so exact to the life and so natural that all the beholders rest astonisht and expect speech from those inanimate but seeming breathing and moving Pictures To say no more Art here hath overcome Nature Towards the Gate Beatrice is the Front of another Palace of the Lituadi painted so rarely well by the hand of 〈◊〉 that it almost fascinates the eyes of the Aspicients And at the Gate â—…osa stands an admirable Statue made to the middle at the Publick cost in remembrance of a Strumpet who principally caused Milan to gain its Liberty Milan from the death of Belloveso continued ever head of the adjacent Countrey which made the antient Emperors to send thither a Lieutenant with title of Count of Italy who also was Captain General of the Empire and remained there with Consular authority and Captain of their Armies that he might bridle the Fury and shut up the passage from the Inroads into Italy of the Ultramontaneous People Such is the wholsomness of the Ayr the Beauty of the Country and Copiousness of sustenance that it hath tempted many Princes desirous to rest quiet to make this their Retreat and Asylum as also many other
great Men that they might the more commodiously apply themselves to the Study of Learning Of which were Virgil Alipius Saint Augustine Hermolao Barbaro Merula Francesco Filelfo Celio Rodigino Alexander the sixth and Pious the fourth Popes And although too often this City was thrown down to the very foundations and at last furrowed with the plough of the Enemies yet it ever revived again and that with more beauty and Splendor than at first increasing still so much in Riches and People that it ever kept a place among the chief Cities of Italy Near the Church San Salavdore there stood a proud Palace of the Emperors with a Temple dedicated to Jupiter made in emulation of the Campidoglio at Rome and where now the Counsel is kept was the Palace for Justice where also the Proclamations of the Dukes were accustomed to be publickly read and the due punishments executed on Malefactors There was also a Theatre to present Comedies a place for Horse races and a large Circle where now is Santa Maria Maggiore The Garden near San Steffano was an Amphitheatre where they accustomed to fight Duels The Church of San Nazario was an old Prison where they condemned Malefactors to fight with the wild Beasts there preserved to that end in great number The Common Field was then a Theatre where the young men exercised themselves in taming and manning of Horses and fighting Where the Cathedral Church is was a place with Stalls many waies where they made their Feasts to their Heroes and Houshold Gods The Stalls now for the Cattel then was a pleasant Garden beautified and planted with many Fruit trees and plants brought from far Countries great store of odoriferous flowers Rivolets of Christalline waters Statues and Sculptures of Marble Where the Church of San Lorenzo stands now were the hot Baths of Maximinian Nero and Nerva the Emperors nothing inferiour to them at Rome Besides which antiquities there yet is preserved a stately Armory in the Palace replenished with most noble Arms worthy any Prince for the value and fairness being not onely inlayed with Gold and Silver but engraven with greatest Cost and Workmanship where now is the Church San Lorenzo was a Temple dedicated to Hercules made in the form of the Rotunda at Rome near which were erected 16. Marble Pillars and upon them a Palace for the Emperours part whereof was ruined by fire the rest by time nothing but the Pillars remaining All this Fabrick was raised by Maximinian Hercules who ordained the Town should be no more called Milano but Herculeo At one end of those Pillars is this inscription put in Imp. Caesari L. Aurelio vero Aug. Arminiaco Medico Parthico Max. Trib. Pot. VII Imp. IIII. Cos. III. PP Divi Antonini Pii Divi Hadriani Nepoti Divi Trajani Parthici Pronepoti Divi Nervae Apnepoti Dec. Dec. This Milan was alwaies a potent City whence we read that it many times made opposition to the Romans and often fought the Goths and other Barbarous People and also against both the Federicks the first and second Emperours obtaining a most glorious victory It subjected to it Navara Bergamo Pavia Como Lodi and Tortona and freed Genoua from the hands of the Moors The Romans were wont to say Qui miseram citius cupiunt effundere vitam Modiolanum adeant gens ea dura nimis It was so much prized by the adjacent Countreys that it being ruined by Federick Barbarossa the Emperor Cremona Verona Piacenza advised how to restore it at their own cost and charges and in all times t was very populous It received the light of the Faith from S Barnabas sent thither from Saint Peetre who then resided in Antiochia which was in the 46. year after the coming of our Saviour where he substituted for Bishop Anatalone the Greek his Disciple whom in process of time succeeded many holy Bishops among others that glorious pillar of the Church Saint Ambrose the most renowned Doctour who finding the Bodies of San Gervaso and Protaso the Martyrs caused that Church to be built which is now called San Ambrogio This was the Cathedral Church where is seen the true effigies of the brazen Serpent made by Moses brought hither by Theodosius the Emperor as also the effigies of San Bernardo upon a Pillar who in this Church said Mass preached and wrought miracles Likewise a sumptuous Sepulchre wherein lies Lewis the second Emperour and Pepin King of Italy both Sons of Charls the great there under the Altar within a deep Pit locked with four Gates of Iron is kept with great reverence the body of Saint Ambrose and a book writ with his own hand Angelberto of the illustrious Family of Pusterly in the time of Charls the Great being Arch-Bishop The Emperor gave to this Altar a noble Pall embroidered with Saints and Angels in 20. several Squares in the midst whereof is the Saviour of the World as he rose from the dead upon whose head is a Diamond set round with gemmes of inestimable valew On both sides of which Altar are four other Images of Saints in the middle is a Cross. The Vests are all over beset with many pearls and pretious stones behind the Altar is another Cross of silver two Cubits high and one an half broad where are 23. figures of Saints of embossed work This so stupendious work cost in those days 28000. Scudaes and is now worth 100000. Volvinio the excellent Sculptor of those times was the Artificer of it Saint Ambrose stood at the Gate of this Church when he excomunicated Theodosius the Emperor commanding him not to enter therein Contiguous with it is a noble and stately Monastery of the Fryers Celestines At the issuing out of Saint Ambrogio is a poor Chapel in a blind corner with a Well where Saint Ambross baptized Saint Augustine and t is known that this was the way which Saint Augustine and Saint Ambrose took hand in hand to give thanks to God in San Gervaso for the holy Baptism received singing Te Devm Laudamus as the Inscription testifieth Hic beatus Ambrosius babtizat Augustinum Deodatum Alippum hic beatus Ambrosius incipit te Deum laudamus Augustinus sequitur Te deum confitemur The meanness of the place makes it most credible to be true the name of Carolus Boromaeus a Council of Trent Saint highly cryed up at Milan having too much extinguisht the memory and esteem of that learned Father The Church of Santa Tecla is replete with holy Reliques here rests Saint Ambrose and among other Reliques a Nayl which was fixed and drove through a member of the Body of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ into the Wooden Cross whereon he was crucifyed by the wicked Jewes which was bestowed on it by Theodosius the Emperor This is the antientest Temple of Milan and was first consecrated to the Saviour after to the Virgin Mary and lastly to Tecla but antiently many yeers before the coming of the Messiias they say there stood a most famous Temple
of it On the left side of the said Lake is Orvieto Cagnarea and Tevere all Cities On the right the City Soana the birth place of Pope Gregory the 7th at present almost uninhabited Petigliano and Farneso appertainning to the noble Family of Farnesi in Rome somewhat further is the City Castro of the said Farnesies so surrounded with Rocks and Cavernes that it appears to the Enterers rather an obscure Den for wilde beasts than habitations for Men. From whence walking towards the Sea you finde Orbello Talamoni Monte Argentaro and Port Ercole all stately places subject to the King of Spain On whose right-hand they shew the noble Castle Tuscanello subject to the See of Rome so antient that if it be permitted to beleeve them they say it was built by Askanius Son of Eneas and upon one of the ports appears an old Marble with an Epitaph carved thereon shewing his Original and descent As also the City Cornetto by the antient Tuscans dedicated to Pan whose stately antique Walls shew it to have been an honourable City Pope Gregory the fifth was born there Giovanni Vitalesco a Cardinal and Father Mutio a Jesuite with many other famous Men seaven miles off Cornetto stands Civita Vecchia on the Sea shore a fortified Port. On the left hand of the Via Regia lies Horti an antient City which is the Tuscan boundarie Further off is Tevere and the Lake Basanello in Latine Lacus Vadimonis and hereabouts stands Bassanello Castello Magliano Civita Castellana Galese and the Via Flaminia which leads from Rimini to Rome In the way from Bolsena to Rome is the Grove Monte Fiascone where the Antients with great ceremony and solemnity were wont to sacrifice to the Goddess Giâ—…one near which stands the old City Mionte Fiascome which was a long time besieged by Camillus who was not able to reduce it for the strength of its site It s Territory yeelds Moscatella Monte Fiascone being passed you enter a large and pleasant Plain in which stands Viterbo antiently called Vetulania but Desiderius the King having inclosed it Longhola Tussa and Turrenna within one Wall by his Edict yet to be read in a white Marble Tablet in the Palace of Viterbo commanded it to be called Viterbo t is head of the Church Patrimony and behind it lies Monte Cimeno T is adorned with stately Edifices amongst which the Domo is famous where four Popes ly buried Iohn the 21. Alexander the 4th Adrian the 5th and Clement the 4th and the Church Santa Rosa wherein that Saints body is kept entire an admirable Fountain casting out great quantity of water This City was a long time subject to the Vecchi and Gotti its Citizens who driven out it submitted to the Pope T is well inhabited with a civil people and abounds with Corn Oyl Wine and Fruits in its Territory are eleven Rivers which store it with excellent Fish It wants not Baths of warm water among the rest those of Bolicano are named for their Miraculous virtue A mile forth the City stands the Church Quierria dedicate to the Virgin Maria finally it hath afforded Men of excelling Judgements From this City you ascend the Mountain Viterbo called Mons Cyminus by the Latins upon which is the Castle Canepina near thereto stood formerly the Castle Corito built by Corito King of Tuscany whose foundations yet remain there also was then a thick and terrible Wood through which none durst pass no more than the Calidonian or Hercinian Wood but at present the Trees are cut and a way comodiously layed out At the Foot of this Mountain towards the South is the Lake Vico in Latin called Lacus Cyminus near it stands the Village Viro and the Castle Soriano where there was an inexpugnable Fort whence for 60 yeers the Brittons Souldiers could not be expelled Pursuing the way towards Rome you finde Ronciglione which hath a lovely Fountain and Caprinica inhabited by 500. Families beyond which lies Sutri an antient City built as is believed by the Pelasgi a Grecian people before Saturnus came into Italy The Romans taking the advantage of this City assaulted the Tuscans and overcame an Army of 60 thosand Tuscans Spoletines and Ombri It s ill ayr renders it near uninhabited Beyond Ronciglione lies Caprarola a Castle of the Farnlsies where whatever can be desired for Recreation is competently pro vided for by Cardinal Alexandro Farnese Not far distanr from it is Civita a City now of smal importance though antiently because they would not assist the Romans then afflicted by Hannibal we find them by the Romans condemned al Doppio Passing on the Via Regia one meets Rofolo a Bourg adjacent to a Lake of immense profundity two miles beyond it Campagnana and npon the same way a standing Pool where was Cremera a Castle built by the Fabii and destroyed by the Vesenti here weâ—…eslain in one day by the said Vesenti 500. Servants and 300. persons of that Family for having privatly complotted an insurrection for their Country Rome against them one Childe sleeping in a Cradle escaped and became the restorer of the Fabii in Rome More forward stands the Town Baccano and the Wood called Bosco di Baccano which was lately a harbour for Assassinates and other people disposed to ill whence it grew into a proverb when we would advise any one to stand uppon his guard to say Perche siamo nel Bosco de Baccano but through the vigilance and care of the late Popes t is almost a secured passage On the right-hand stands Anguillara a Town of much Fame whose Lords having behaved themselves gallantly have acquired to themselves and Country eternal honour The Signori Orsini possesse it and Bracciano which is entitled a Dutchy From the aforenamed Lake runs the River Arone whence the Romans convey by pipes the water they called Sabatina from the Lakes name Sabatina Towards the Sea lies the Monastery Santo Severa made now a Fort and Ceri a Castle upon the shore On the left hand of the Via Regia lies the Via Flaminea and six miles beyond Beccano Isola then Storta two Towns and thence t is seaven miles to Rome One may also travail from Bologna to Rome on the Via Emilia and so pass Imola Faenza Forli Cesena and Rimini IMOLA IMola called in Latine Forum Cornelii enjoyes a good Ayr a fruitful Territory a commodious situation for all things Narsetes in the yeer of Christ 550. destroyed it but Dasone second King of the Longobardi restored it and called it Imola Galeazzo Sforza Son of Francis Duke of Milan possessed it and gave it in Dowry to Girolamo Riario Savonese in Anno 1473. some time after t was taken forcibly by Cesar Borgia Son of Pope Alexander the 6th finally after several other Lords it became under the power of the Church who yet keep it in peace Martial the famous Poet resided here for
East part of Chioza in the Sea lies a Ridge of Sand in the Sea in the nature of a Rampart pose to oppose the fury of the Adriatick Sea 30 miles long from South to North. T is almost incredible what vast quantities of Comodities are extracted from it to Venice which are there produced by the ingenuity of the Gardiners the fertility of the Soyl and the natural Orchards full of greens whereof and of gardens it most consists which are ordered exactly well From Chioza sayling South ward you se Ancona Pesaro Rimini Cesenna and Ravenna but going by Land discover many Ports as Goro Bebe Volano Magnavacca Primano and Brondolo From Chioza to Venice are 20. miles in which space stands Malomocco an Island heretofore enobled by the Duke of Venice his Residence there is the Porto Malomocco which through its profundity is rendered dangerous And also Poveggia now an uninhabited Island but at the first Venetians planting well-peopled in it still remains a miraculous Crucifix together with many other small Islands Monasteries Hospitals Orchards and Gardens between which lies the most noble City Venice who scarce finds a Parallel The Journy from FERRARA to RAVENNA and to RIMINI IN the Suburbs of Ferrara towards Ostro the Poe being past by a certain long Bridge of Wood stands the Church of S. Gregorio wherein the Body of S. Maurelio first Bishop of Ferrara is carefully layed up Here the Poe parts with a great Arm which having bathed the great Level runs by Mejaro Mejarino and other places into the Adriatick Sea But the greater Chanel runs Southward and at 8. miles distance hath on its Banks the Bourg Argenta so named from from the quantity of Sylver which every so many yeers it payed to the Church of Ravenna on its right hand are many deep Trenches filled with good fish Three miles beyond Argenta stood Bastia a Fort now demolished where the Armies of Pope Giulius the second and Alphonso first Duke of Ferrara fought a sharp Battail Ten miles beyond it lies Lugo a noble Town Bagnac avollo a Bourg and Cotignana the native Country of the Sforzeschan Princes Babiano Mazolino Imola and Faenza with others On the left side of the Poe are fertile Fields and a Palace of the Prince of Este so large and well furnished that it may give a reception to a great King In this neighbourhood were antiently twelve large Towns whose inhabitants by one unanimous consent built Ferrara Pursuing the Poe for twenty miles lye many fayr and pleasant Towns as Longastino and Filo so called for that there the Poe runs for six miles as strait as a thred or line San Alberto and Priniaro where the Poe runs into the Sea from Sant Alberto looking Northward you may see Comacchio near the Sea shore with a Lake or standing Pool round it wherein they take vast quantities of Mullets and Eeles some weighing 30. pound Comacchio was antiently a famous City but now t is near destroyed by the waters hereabouts also lies the Abbacy of Pomposa On the left of Saint Albergo are Fenny Fields wherein to this day may be seen the Fossa Messanitia made by our Ancestors but now t is a narrow Chanel to navigate to Ravenua in small Barks it formerly run 50. miles navigable and was called Padusa RAVENNA THis City is more memorable for its antiquity than fair building being first built by the Thessalonians who being perplexed and molested by the Ombrians and Sabines voluntarily gave it them up and returned into Greece but the Ombrians were thence driven by the French and they by the Romans under whom it remained till they with the Heruli took the Country Odouacre but then they were driven out by the Ostrogoths under Theodorick their King who made it his Regal Seat under whom it remained 70. yeers and then they were beaten out by Narsete Praefect of Justinian the Emperor under the Title of Exarchi after whom 17. more Exarchi governed it 170. yeers who were all that time held in continual skirmishes with the Longobardi who were called into Italy by Narsete against the said Emperour of Constantinople For Narsete being accused to Giustino Successor to Justinian for some crime whereat Giustino was offended which backed with the instigation of the Emperours wife caused the Emperour to send another to be Exarche in his Room who being exasperated against the Emperour for it invited in the Longobardi against the Empire by whose hands the Exarcate of Italy was extinct This Exarche was in the nature of a King having plenary Jurisdiction in all things without appeal Astolfo some time after being overcome by Pipino King of the French gave up Ravenna to the Church of Rome but Desiderius successor to Astolfo not regarding his Faith after the retreat of Pipin with the French Army possessed himself again of Ravenna and other Towns but the Emperour Charles the Great returning into Italy with the French Army overcame and took him Prisoner when the Longobardi were forced to quit Italy altogether so that it hath suffered many disgraces and was afterwards sacked by the French and destroyed by civil discord Strabo saies that in his time Ravenna stood upon certain Piles driven into the Fennes and that the water passed under it so that no coming was to it but by Bridges or Boats and when the waters were high then the people were forced to get up into the upper Rooms yet for all that t was healthfull as Alexandria in AEgypt but now the Waters are so dryed up that the Fenns are become Excellent Meadows Pastures and Corn Grouuds many Historians agree that t was much beautified by Augustus Caesar accommodating it with a great Bridge and erecting the high Tower called Faro where he encamped an Army for defence of the Gulfs and lodged the Souldiers in the midst of the City in a form like a Castle which afterwards was called the Fortezza of Ravenna it had another Fort called Cesarea with Walls and Bastions which strongly fortifyed the Port of Ravenna but at present neither the Ports nor Forts appear only some certain old Churches and Monasteries of little moment On the Porta Speriosa for its structure and good Marble called Aurea is this Title TI. CLAUDIUS DRUSI F. CAESAR AUG GERMANICUS PONT MAX. TR. POT COS. II. DES III. IMP. III. P. P. DEDIT Whence t is supposed that the Emperour Claudius fortifyed Ravenna with Walls and a new Port Biondo affirms that Ravenna was amplified by Placida Galla sister of Arcadio and Honorius the Emperours and by her Sons Valentiniano and Tiberio also Theodrick King of the Goths beautified it with stately edifices and enriched it with the spoil of the other Provinces as appears by those Churches Palaces other structures raised by him and his successors and yet extant In Ravenna near the Piazza Santa Maria stands a great Convent and in it the magnificent Tombe of Dante Algieri erected to him by Bernardo Bembo the Venetian Podesta in Ravenna with this Inscription by the
that since it came from Galilee and the mount because the sins of the People there made it unworthy so the knowlege the Virgin had of the quality of this People made her transmit her habitation hither and the often mutations of the places makes it evident to all that this is the true Stanza or Cell of the blessed Virgin departed from Galilea It arrived in this Province in Italy in the yeer 1295. and in lesse thana yeer changed its place of stay three times though but within compasse of a mile but who will consider its now aboade must find that the wit of man could not invent a better P. Battista Mantouano Viccar General of the Garmelites among other grave Authers to whom this house was first given in custody before it left Galilee averrs the trnth of the former relations Societies of Priests that are Liuguists have it now in government whereby to be the better able to take the confessions of all Nations and give absolutions c. RECANATI FRom Loreto the way leads to Recanati a new City built out of the Reliques of the old Helvia Ricina whereof some will have Macerata to be built also which Helvia was once magnificently repaired by Helvio many of its old foundations and the bases of an Amphitheatre yet appear upon the Road. From Loreto to Recanati is three mile of very rough Way over Mountains In it is held a publick fair every yeer in September in the great Church lies Pope Gregory the 12th who in the Council of Constanza renounced the Papacy t is seated on the top of a high and spatious Mountain environed with the Apenines Gingolo the Sea and some other little Hills Beyond which is a plain in it San Severino heretofore a Bourg but made a City by Pope Sixtus quintus Mathâ—…lica and Fabriano famous for the Pure writing paper there made and then Gamerino a well fortisied place abounding no less in Riches than People It alwaies assisted the Romans aud hath produced many emminent Men. Through the Vale Camerino you may go to Foligno and Spoleto MACERATA KEEping the direct Way thorow the Mountains you meet Macerata famous for greatnesse and beauty and the most noble City of the Marchiano In it is a College of Lawyers called the Rota deputed to hear Causes and the Residence of the Governors of all the Province Two great Causes for its full peopling About it ly several Bourgs Castles and Towns as Tolentino where they reverence the reliques of San Nicolo of the Angustine Order who there lived holily Montalto Fermo Ascolo and Seravalle beyond which lies Santa Anatolia whence through a Valley lies the way to San Foligno which is two days journy from Loreto FOLIGNO THe Longobardi having destroyed Foro Flaminio the Inhabitants out of its Ruines built Foligno The City is rich in Merchandize small but pleasant it hath a goodly porte whence the Citizens repelled the assaults of the Longobardi the Cities Perugia and Assisiaare Westward twenty miles from Foligno All along the Flaminian Way ly most flourishing Fields planted with all sorts of Fruits Vines Gardens Olive-Trees Almonds praised to the skies by Propertins Virgil and other Poets On the right hand lies Mevania the Countrey of Propertius and its Territory which produceth large Bulls and Oxen on the left was the Antient Temple of Metusca near it is the Source of the River Clitumnus issuing wirh a clear and plentifull head of Water enough to water the Fields of Bertagna which at its second stage had the name of a God given it by the blind Gentiles to whom t is believed the neighbouring Temple of Marble now antique yet noble was dedicate in old time T is made in that form which Vitruvius writing of the order of Temples teaches that those of Fountains Nimphes Venus Flora and Proserpina ought to have to wit to have some similitude with their Gods and hath in the Ornaments of the outside leaves of Bears-foot and Holm tree which demonstrate the fruitfulness of Clitumnus which the Antients observed so fatned the adjacent Pastures that thereby the Herds of Cattel grew very great and Pliny Lucan and Servius the Commentator of Virgil a verâ—… that those Cattel drinking of the water of Clitumnus became white Out of these Herds the Roman Conquerors used to select the most fair and in their triumphs to sacrifice them for a happy Augury to the victory brought with them The same also were led by the Emperors which triumphed with their horns guilt and bathed with the water of this River unto the Campidoglio and there sacrificed to Iove and other Gods which made the Spoletiâ—… to honour Clitumnus as a God and to it were dedicated by the antients Temples and Groves as may be collected from Propertins in these words Qua formosa suo Clitumnus flumina Luco Integer niveos abluit unda boves Virgil the Prince of Poets in the second of his Gorgicks speaking politely of the praise of Italy saith thus Hinc albi Clitumne greges maxima tanrus Victimae saepe tuo perfusi flumine sacro Romanos ad templa Deum duxere triumphos Silius also touches upon this conceipt in the Carthaginian War in few words to wit Et lavit ingentem perfusum flumine sacro Clitumnus taurum SPOLETO IN the same day the Traveller may go from Foligno to Spoleto a splendid City deficient in nothing the Refidence of the Longobardi Princes now ennobled by the Title of the Duke of Ombra antiently t was a strong Roman Colony so made by Litius and reduced by the Romans when they had overthrown the Ombri in the Consulate of G. Claudius Centone and Marius Sempronius Tuditanus Which Colony after the Romans had received the Rout near Trasineno was so bold as to withstand Hannibal the Conqueror and taught him to gather what vast strength the Roman Empire was of from the power of one sole Colony by forceing him to turn tayl retreat after the losse of many men into the Marchiana The old broken structures shew that it flourished greatly in the Romans time One may yet see the Palace of Theodorick King of Goths destroyed by the Goths but rebuilt by Narsete Captain for Justinian the Emperor The Temple of Concord the foundation of a Theatre and of stately Aquiducts TERNI THe following day through the Valley Strattura closed in by Hills Rocks and cliffs of the Apenines you reach Terni called Iteranna by the Antients from its inclosure between the branches of the River Nera The old Ruins of the Edifices shew it to have been in all things greater than at present and within memory t is known much decay came to it by intestine hatred and civil discords Many antient Marble Inscriptions shew that t was a free City of the Romans but at what time it received the title of a free City and the Prerogative of Roman Denizenship is not certainly known Pighius observes from a great Marblestone fixed in the Walls of the
Cathedral Church that t was built 544. yeers before the Consulate of C. Domitius Enobarbus and M. Camillus Scribonianus who were Consuls 624. yeers after the foundation of Rome and that sacrifice was made in Terni to the health of Liberty and the Genius of the City to gratifie Tiberius Caesar who then elevated himself from the feet of Seianus The said Pighius deduceth thus much from the Title on the said Marble and in his Annales of the Senate and People of Rowe sets it down more distinctly we conclude from the whole that t was built 80. yeers after Rome under Numa and then obtained its title of a Municipal City The Territory of Terni through the site and the usefullnesse of the sweet Waters is all of a fat soyl being exposed to a benign Sun which in some part appologizeth for what Pliny saies to wit that the Meadows are mowed 4 times in a yeer and afterwards fed besides that Turnips have there lately grown of 30. pound weight whereof four makes an Asses Load and Pliny saies 40. pound weight NARNI KEEping the Via Flaminia you arrive at Narni placed on a rough Hill of difficult ascent at the foot whereof runs the River Nera roaring through the breakings of the Rocks wherewith it encounters Livy and Stephano Gramatico derive the name of the City from that of the River and Martial in the 7th book of his Epigrames describes it thus Narnia sulphureo quam gurgite candidus amnis Circuit ancipiti vix adeunda jugo The same Livy affirms that the City was first called Nequino and the Inhabitants thence Nequinati when subdued by the Romans from the paultry and wicked customes of the People but afterwards the Roman Colony despising that name called it Narni from the Rivers name The Triumphs in the Campidoglio set forth that the Nequinati were confederate with the Sanniti and with them overcome by M. Petinus the Consul who therefor triumphed in the 454th yeer of Rome and then made a Colony as aforesaid Now the Cities form is long and fair in Fabricks and plentifully supplyed from its near Campagna though in the memory of our Ancestors and since it hath been much turmoyled with troubles and Warrs Without Narni over the River are wonderfull great Arches of a Bridge which did conjoyn two high and precipitous Mountains between which the River passed some believe this Bridge was built by Augustus with the spoils of the Siacambri and Procopius affirms it adding that more eminent Arches were never seen the Reliques now appearing demonstrate it the work of a flourishing Empire and of excessive expence Martial t is supposed speaks herof in these words Sed jam parce mihi nec abutere Narnia Quinto Perpetuo liceat sic tibi ponte frui The stones of this Bridge are cecmented with Iron and Lead one Arch now to be seen is 200. foot broad and 150. foot high under which t is said is buried great Treasure A stream is brought into the City which passeth for 15. miles under most high Mountains and supplies thrâ—… brass fountains there is also a water of Nâ—…ni called caristia or Famine because it never appearâ—… but the yeer before some great famiâ—… as it happened in Anno 1589. it yields also many healthfull watâ—…rs Forty miles off Narni to go in the way to Rome is a Mountainous Rock through which the Way is cut with Chizels 30. foot deep and 15 broad beyond which is pleasant way to Ottricoli a mile from Tevere Passing by the antiquities of the Via Flaminia and the vast mines of Ottricoli you come to Tevere beholding by the way great Reliques of publick structures as Temples Baths Aqueductâ—… Conservatories of water a Theatre and Amphitheatre which testify the grandezza and magnificence of that municipal City while the Roman Empire flourished Two inscriptions of statues dedicate to the Father and Daughter by the publick make appear that they built those Baths at their own expence and then gave them to the publique both which are inscribed on Marble as followeth L. Iulio L. F. Pal. Iuliano IIII. Vir. AEd. III. 1. D. IIII. Vir Quin que Quinque 11. Dast Patrâ—…no Municipi Plebs Ob. Merita L. D. D. D. Iuliae Lucillae L. Iulii Iuliani Fil Patroni municipi 〈◊〉 Pâ—…ter Termas Ocriculanis â—… Solo. Eâ—…ctas 〈◊〉 â—…ecunia Donavit Dec Aug. Plebs L. D. D. D. Whence you passe by the Town Tevere near the stone Bridge built by Augustus which Bridge was so great that with its mines it tumed and hindred the course of the River thence coasting the foot of the Mountain Soratte at night you lodge at Bâ—…gnano Pope Clement the 8th commanded imitating Augustus to his great costs and no less glory this Bridge to be repaired here terminated the Burroâ—…ghs of Rome in the time of the Emperour Aurelianus and we read that in former times Rome was 150. miles in ciâ—…cuit and that while Constantinâ—… reigned the Walls and buildings from Tevere to Rome were so thick that who was but seldome conversant there took it for the City of Rome The River being past you meet Borgheto the City Castellan and Caprâ—…rola and farther on is the Bâ—…idge Milvio or Mole where God shewed to Constantine a Cross wiâ—…h these words In hoc signo vinces with which encouragement Constantine fought and overcame Maxentius the Tyrant by which Bridge one passeth the Tevere or Tiâ—…er and so arrives to the Suburbs of Rome entring the Porta Flaminia now called Porta del Popolo LUCCA THis City glories in the universal agreement of all Authors that t is one of the most antient of Italy and they that speak of its latest Original attribute it to Lucchio Lucnmone Laerte of Tuscany who reigned 46. yeers after the foundation of Rome from whom some say it took its name Lucca but some others averâ—… t was built long before that time even by the Grecians before the destruction of Troy It alwaies was for its strength and power of much consideration and that made C. Cempronius after the overthrow he received from Hannibal at Trebbia and the lesse fortunate day fought before Piacenza to recover Lucca with the remnant of his Army as to a place that yeelded asecure retreat and the valorous Narsete who for the Emperour Iustinian freed Italy of the Goths could not have gained it with his 7 Moneths tedious and most rigorous siege had he not by a certain wile and cunning perswaded or rather intreated the Citizens to deliver their City of their own accord and with their own terms Its Seignors or Lords have so well added to its former strength that no City in Italy comes near it for it hath eleaven strong Bulworks in lesse than 3. miles circuit and a vast wall with works within upon which the Trees planted the pleasant and fertile hills surrounding it and the stately Palaces in the heart of it renders it a most delightfull City Strabo reports the Romans often raised there many foot Souldiers
Emperor of a Nymph leaning near a River judged by some to be Cleopatra and of Laocoon the Trojan with his two Sons enveloped in the twistings of the Serpents a piecemuch applauded by Pliny cut out of one entire Stone which that it might receive as excelling shapes and forms as could be carved by industry or Art Agesandro Polidoro and Asenodoro three rare Rodian Sculptors applyed their joynt Industry study pains This curious Sculpture was preserved by miracle of Fortune at the destruction of the Palace of Titus Vespasian the Emperour as also of the River Tevere or Tyber with the Wolâ—…e giving suck to Romulus and Remus carved out of one tire Stone and likewise the great Nilus leaning on a Sphinx on the heigth whereof stand sixteen Children denoting the sixteen Cubits of the increase of that River observed by the AEgyptians and every one of those Children is in such manner figured that it excellently describes the effect which at that rise and increase it wrought on the Land of AEgypt sa for example the sixteenth Child is placed upon a shoulder of the River with a basket of flowers and fruits upon its head and this Child signifies that the increase of the River to the sixteenth Cubit enriches the Earth to the production of great plenty of Fruit and brings gladness to it The 15th signifies that all is secure and well and the 14th brings joyfulness but all the other increases under 14. are unhappy and miserable as Pliny observes in the ninth Chapter of his fifth Book of Natural Histories and moreover some Creatures which are only proper to that Countrey with its plants called Calamo a Cane Colo Cassia AEgyptian Bean and Papiro called Papir Reed whereof they were wont to make great leaves to write on thereof was the first paper made thence as is supposed was that name borrowed which are no where to be found out of AEgypt no more than the Monsters to wit Hippotami or the Sea Horse whose Feet are like an Ox back and mayn like a Horse tusks like a Boar with a long winding tayl Ichneumoni the Indian or AEgyptian Ratt whose property is to creep into the Crocodiles Mouth when he gapeth to eat his Bowels and so kill him Trochili a Sea-foul friend to the Crocodil somewhat like to a wagtail or Sea Wood cock Ibidi the black stork a Bird in AEgypt which hath stiff Leggs and a long Bill wherewith when its sick it administreth it self a Glister of Sea Water Sciachi Land Crocodiles Crocodrili Sea Crocodiles which can only move the upper Jaw or Chaps And also the pourtraits of the Terrositi a generation of Pigmies or dwarfs incessant Men perpetual Enemies of the Crocodiles whereof Pliny in the 25th Chapter of his eighth Book of Natural Histories treats at large together with many other singular Statues in the said gardens of Belvedere which when seen thorowly examined and understood by intelligent Persons yeeld them great delight and satisfaction In the Bâ—…th of Pope Pius the 4th is a work of great esteem being an Ocean cut out of the fairest Marble The Antients thought the Ocean to be Prince of the Waters and Father of all things a Friend to Prometheus And that by means of the humidity and liquidness of the Waters all things seem to generate from Seeds with the assistance of the Heavens therefore they believed that every thing received Life from Water with the favourable friendship of the temperat Genius of the Caelestial Bodies This figure hath the Body covered with a thin vail whereby they would signifie that the Sea shrouds the Heavens with Clouds of its own vapours meaning by the Sea the whole generation of waters and they denote the Earths being covered with plants by the Hairs beard and ordinary skinns beingall figured by the leaves of divers tender Plants It hath two horns placed upon the Forehead First because the Sea provoked by the winds roars like a Bull and secondly because the Sea is governed by the Moons motion which they called Cornuta thirdly because the Sea is called Father of Fountains and Rivers which they figured Cornuti or horned In its right hand is put the Rudder of a Ship in token that the Waters by means of the Ships being guided by these Rudders are furrowed as best likes the Pilot of which Comodity they feigned Prometheus to be the Inventor they have placed it upon a Maritine Monster to demonstrate that the Sea is generator of many wonderfull Monsters One of which to the purpose is seen in Rome in the Antique marble sphere of Atlas placed among the celestial signes upon this very occasion T is said that Andromada contending for beauty with the Nymphs of the Sea being overcome was by them given to this Monster which devoured her out of whose body slain on the shore of Perseus who would have saved that Virgin there issued so much blood that it dyed the Sea red whence that Sea was afterwards called Citreo or the Red Sea for all which the Citreo is not that gulfe which is vulgarly called the red Sea but is that part of the Ocean affianced to the Gulph which washes Arabia on the South but now to our relation of Rome The first and cheif part whereof to be visited through devotion are the 7. principal Churches and then the others in their order wherein are preserved infinite reliques of Saints and some remarkable Ones of the holy Jesus our Lord and Saviour as the the Towel of Santa Veronica with the effigies of Christ the Speer of Longinus wherewith he was run into the Breast One of those Nayls wherewith our Lord was nayled to the Cross. One of those thirty pence which as the price of Treason were given to Iudas the Traitor by the wicked Jews all which you are obliged particularly to search out as exceeding singularities not elsewhere to be found Of ROME the Old and ROME the New and of its admirable Excellencies ROME formerly the Empress of the World cannot be enough praised Her power was so great her Riches so immense her subjects so innumerable her Territories and Dominions so vast That well might Saint Hierome in his three wishes for intermixing that concerning her with so divine things be pardonable which three wishes were To have seen our Saviour in the flesh to have heard Saint Paul preach and to have seen Rome in her Glory which had so spread her self over the whole Earth that a perfect Idea of her cannot be comprehended and must needs have been the happiest sight that mortal eye could attain to But when considered what she was and how since devoured by fire by the insatiable Nero and how pillaged sacked and thousands of mischiefs done her by the Barbarous at the decay of the Roman Empire One may well wonder how the new Rome should be even emulous to exceed the Old Being at this day the Queen of Cities the Flower of Italy and as one may say an Epitome of the whole Earth
French San Giacomo for the Spaniards San Tomaso for the English San Pietro for the Hungarians Santa Brigida for the Swedes San Giovanni and San Andrea for the Dutch San Giovanni Battista for the Florentines San Giovanni Battista near the Banks of the Tyber for the Genâ—…veses instituted â—…nd endowed by Media dusto Cicala besides many houses both for poor and Orfanes of which no particular Catalogue is set down least filling the volume with the less conside rable we leave not space for the more observable things in Rome In the Popes Palace called the Vatican are the Libraries The one contains selected choice books alwaies shut up The other two filled with Latin and Greek Books written by the Pen in parchment are as much open and free to any students for two hours in the day which were furnished by Pope Nicholas the 5th And now there is a new one collected by Pope Sistus the 5th The Inscriptions Pictures and Verses of which were made publique by the judicious Pen of Angelo Rocca Bishop of Tagasta Some other Libraries in Rome are worthy notice to wit that of Santa Maria del Popolo Of Santa Maria soprala Minerva Of Santo Agostino of Vallicola of Saint Andrea and of the Jesuists Colledge besides three others which at the siege and sacking of Rome were robbed or burnt The Popes Gardens where Persons of Quality have free ingress together with the houses and Gardens of the Cardinals and other noble Persons of Rome yeeld ample solace aud recreation to the Lovers of Antiquity by their great varieties in those particulars These Pallaces omitting many others deserve a serious and timely visit to wit that of the Family of the Conservadori nel Campi doglio of the Massini of the Busali of the Rucellai of the Furnesi of the Colonne the Mattei Cevoli and Borghesi together with the Pallace Latterenense royally repaired by Pope Sistus the 5th The City Rome was antiently divided into nineteen Praecincts or Wards whereof at present remain but these 14. de Monti della Colanna del Ponte del Arenula della Rogola della Pigna del Capitello di Transtevere di ..... del Campo Martio di Sant Eustachio di Sant Angelo della Ripa del Borgo The six stones Bridges built over the Tevere or Tyber are these Ponte Molle or Milvio two miles distant from the City without the Porta del 〈◊〉 Ponte Angelo or Elio antiently Ponte Gianiculese built by Pope Sistus Ponte Saint Bartolemeo or Costio Ponte Maria Egittiaca or Palatino and Ponte dei quatro Capi formerly called Fabritio when also there was one more called Sublicio whose Pyles are yet to be seen near the Aventine hills and another called Triumfale whose pyles appear at San Spirito The Waters wherewith the City is supplyed are these L'acqua virgine which runs through the Campo Martio the work of Pope Nicholas the 5th l'Alsietina restored by Innocent the 8th for the Vatican La Salonia canducted at the cost of Pius the 4th besides which many others waters were conveyed by Gregory the 13th by others in antient times The Piazzaes in Rome are many but those of most note at this day are La Piazza Vaticana La Navona La Giudea and La Fiore The new Porticues or open Galleries which are the chief are three viz That della Benedittione That in the Vatican Palace fronting the Piazza and the Cerridore towards Belvedere The Piazza or market place for Fish stands now where in former time it was That for the Hoggs Oxen Cows Sheep c. where antiently was the Foro Romano The Bakers have four Piazzaes and conjoyned with them are the Shambles in the Piazza Novaâ—…a every Wednesday is held a great Market The Hills are very little inhabited the ruines of old structure rendring the Ayr so unwholsome as to be only fit for Gardens or Vineyards not dwelling Houses Pope Sistus the 5th caused many fair streets to be drawn by a Line The residing Palace of the Pope stands contiguous with the Church of Saint Pietro wherein are contained many stupendious things as the Chapel of Pope Sistus the Paulina replenisht with the excellent pictures of Michael Angelo Bonarota a Florentine so compleat perfect and exact that t were the glory of this age to find a modern Painter could approach then in art or Similitude Besides which his Holiness hath Retreats for the Summer as one near San Marco another near Santa Maria Maggiore a third near the Fontana de Trevi but the most favoured and therefore most ordinary retirement is Monte Cavallo heretofore called Quirinale The Palaces of the Cardinals are disperst up and down the City as aforesaid The houses of the Citizens are not despicable either in Structure Antiquities Pictures and other noble Houshouldstuff or Fountains The Castle Saint Angelo or Mole d'Adriano is a fair strong Cittadel alwaies furnished with all warlike provisions Herein they solemâ—…ize great Feasts and Holy dayes three times in the yeer with the discharging of all the great Guns and Fireworks To wit on the Festival day of San Pietro Paolo the second is celebrated annually on the day whereon the immediate Pope is selected to the Pontifical Chair the third on the day the said immediat Pope is crowned The Guard of which Castle is committed to some Person of Quality who is understood to have compleated his Charge and Government at 7 yeers end and is then comonly rewarded with a Cardinals â—…ap or some thousands of Crowns The Aqueducts of the old Romans with their conserves for waters were many but that of Acqua Claûdia was composed with so much Art and at so vast expence that but only to repair and restore it to its antient form cost five hundred and sixty Talents besides which there was l'acqua Martia Aless andrina Giulia Augusta Sabbatina Appia Traiana Tepula Alsietina di Mercurio della Virgine del'Aniene the old and Antoniane the new and others together with infinite Baths as le Anliane le Variane le Titiane le Gordiane le Novatiane le Agrippine le Alexandrine le Manliane le Dioclesiane le Deciane those Bathes appropriate to Trajan Philip Adrian Nero Severus Constantine Farnus Domitian and Probus with many others The Piazzaes also in those days were divers a Sla Romana that of the Pistory of Caesar of Nerva of Trajan of Augustus of Salustus of Dioclesian of Enobarbus and the Esquilina wiâ—…h those particularly used for Herbs Beasts Fish Sheep Hoggs Bakers for the Countrey market people and the Transitoria The Triumphal Arches which are most famous follow of Romulus of Claudius of Titus Vespasian of Constantine of Lucius Settimius Severus of Domitian of Trajan of Fabianus of Gordianus of Galienus of Tiberius Theodosius and Camillus The Amphitheatres named were these that of Stafilius Taurus of Claudius and that of Titus Vespasian which was capacious enough for one hundred and fifty thousand persons The Theatres these that of Scaurus Pompejus Marcellus Balbus and Caligula The Circi or
principal Sculptors of their times and preserved in the Palace of Titus Vespasianus and found in his seaven Halls Some space from which lies Cleopatra ready to give up the Ghost of so exact workmanship and polite Marble that underneath the Marble Garments which seem to lie over the whole body the Limbs and shape of the person do perfectly appear In the same Palace and Gardens which are five some in Terrace others low beside the aforenamed not a few nor mean Vessels and statues present themselves as gratefull Objects to the Visitants thereof As to pass by others a Fountain made after a rustick manner round which stand feigned Gods and Sea Monsters very well represented Together with the Images of Pope Paulus the 2 and the Emperor Charls the 5th drawn by the hand of Michael Angelo and a statue of one of the Curiatii which is a fair one and stands where the Switzers keep their Guard In the Armory are Arms and all accomplishments for 35000. men horse and foot and over the door of it is this Motto Urbanus VIII Literis arma Armis Literas In the Constantine Hall to pass over the other things which are infinite are painted several picturs drawn by the principal Painters in all Ages chiefly the Battel fought at the Ponte Milvio and the victory obtained there by Constantine against Maxentius the work of Raphael Stantio of Urbin In the Gallery Pope Gregory the 13th for the benefit of the Popes to his great cost caused all the Provinces Regions and Chief Cities of the whole World to be artificially and exactly lymned annexing to each Province in a sweet style its Encomion This Pallace was begun by Nicholas the third augmented by his successors finished by Iulius the second Leo the 10th garnished and beautified with Pictures and other Ornaments by Sixtus the 5th and Clement the 8th so that at this day it remains a stately Receptacle for his holiness and a worthy object for all Forreigners Of the Church of Saint Peter on the VATICANO THis hath meritoriously its place among the seaven Principal and the Library Churches of Rome and will therefore require breifer account here T is the most famous and splendid of Rome On that part which is ascended by steps is a Pillar erected compassed about with Iron barrs and this inscription on it Haec est illa Columna in qua Dominus noster Iesus Christus apodiatus dum popâ—…lo praedicabat Deo Patri in Templo preceseffundebat adhaerendo stabat quae una cum aliis undecim hîc circumstantibus de Salomonis templo in triumphum hujus Basilicae hîc locata fuit In this Temple is likewise preserved the head of Saint Andrew the Apostle and the spear which was run into the side of our Saviour when he hung upon the Cross It was sent as a gratefull present to Pope Innocent the 8th by the Turkish Emperour Here also is the Porta Sancta which is never opened but in the yeer of Iubile and that finished is shut again Which shall suffice to avoid Repetition To the Church of Saint Peter is joyned the little Church of Santa Petronilla formerlâ—… a Temple of Apollo as that of Santa Maria della febre was of Mars in the Piazza of Saint Peter stands the Obelisk translated thither from the Circ of Nero in the yeer 1586. at the Instance and cost oâ—… Sixtus the 5th where it lay in neglectfull obscu rity in old times called the Obelisk of Caesar and under it were then laid the Ashes of Iulius Caesar Dominico Fontana was the Engineer It s heighth is 170 foot besides the Basis which is 37 foot more on the bottom t is 12 foot broad and at top 8. It weighs without the Basis 956148. pound the Instruments prepared for its removall and erecting weighed 1031824. pound The Removal of it we must needs conclude so admirable as to deserve a place among the great wonders of the Antients if we despise it not as is usual for that t was modern The Circ and Naumachia the place for sea battails of Nero were near herunto where they made their sportive recreations in barques upon the water and cruelly cast those that confessed the name of Christ to be devoured by wilde beasts The Borgo hath five gates to wit L'Elia at the Castle Saint Angelo That of Saint Peter under the Popes Gardens La Pertusa on the highest part of the hill La Vacina at the Palace of the Cesis and the Trionfale now called of Santo spirito near which Bourbon received à shot which occasioned his death and the surrender of Rome to the Emperor Charls the 5th The Hospital of San Spirito was first instituted by Innocent the 3d. afterwards aggrandized by Sixtus the 4th In it they govern with no less honour than love the foreign Infirm persons so that many rich Men disdain not to retire themselves thither for the government of the sick and infirm and thereto imploy their skill and time though at their own charges not having their own proper houses in Rome Of the Hill Gianicolo now called Montorio THe Hill Ianiculus is now called Montorio quasi mons aureus or the goulden Mount near it lies the Circ of Iulius Caesar where appear some fragments of the Sepulchre of Numa Pompilius which yet demonstrate 't was no great Fabrick a certain assurance that Ambition had not then in those times any great place in Rome Montorio is so called for the sparkling of the sand there Where stands a Church of Saint Peter and a round Fabrick wrought excellently Dorick wise the design of Bramante At the high Altar of the said Church is a Marble stone whereon Christ was figured by Raphael of Urbin On the right hand at the entrance into the Church Christ is rarely painted upon the Wall being whipt by Bastiano the Venetian called del Piombo Here stands the Tombe which Iulius the third caused to be built for himself then living where for all that he had not the happiness to lye dead but was buried in a mean place in the Vatican The Gate of Saint Pancratio was formerly called Aureliana or Settimiana for that it was repaired by Septimius Severus who near it erected an Altar and certain Baths without this gate you see an Aqueduct not very high through which ran the waters of the Lake Alsetino into the Baths of Severus of Filippus and into the Naumachia the place for Sea Fights of Augustus Where now stands the Temple of Santa Maria in Transtevere was formerly a Taberna Meritoria or a Locanda as they now term it being a place for letting out Chambers There stood also a Temple of AEsculapius for the deceased to whom because they believed him a God alwaies regarding and assisting to their healths the infirm had recourse and sacrificed The Naumachia was a place purposely set apart for the preparing all things necessary for Naval fights This place is at present called à Ripà in Rome where the Vessels
be the Stanza or abiding place of the Praetorian Souldiers within these walls is a spatious Concave Here on all sides ly huge Sepulchres some built in a square others in a â—…ound a third sort in a Pyramid form either with brick or Marble whose inscriptions demonstrate that they were erected for the Metelli Among which a great structure in a round form seems the most conspicuous being raised with squared white marble stones to the bigness of a Tower hollow within and open at top so that standing below one may see the skies Its walls are about 24. foot thick in whose circuit are interwoven the heads of Bulls and Oxen cleared of the skin and flesh as in their sacrifices they used them between the garlands of Leaves and Flowers The heads amount to the number of 200. Sacrificed to the God Capode Boi and the Antiquaries will have that at the famous Sepulchre of Cecilia Metella a double Hecatombe was performed At the Foot of the neighbouring Hill if you pronounce a whole heroick verse an admirable Eccho returns it whole and articulately for the most part and confused otherwhiles eight times answered In no place is heard so rare an Eccho which is said to be excited by artifice that at the Funeral of this Caecilia Metella the ejaculations of the weepers and the funeral houlings might immensely be multiplyed while that double Hecatombe was celebrating and the Funest duties performed in honour of that Matron In the next depressed place ly the mighty ruines of the Circo Hipodromo The structure hereof is attributed to Bassiano Caracalla raised in the Place where Tiberius the Emperor built the Stables for the Praetorian bands here the Souldiers exercised themselves in running riding and driving Chariots In the midst of the Area lie certain signes of the places whence the horses rushed out to their courses as also of Bases Statues Altars and meets or bounds for the Courses round it are many pictures in the midst lies an Obelisk of speckled stone called Granito flat upon the ground broken in three pieces carved all over with Hieroglyphicks branches with Leaves and animals T is supposed that Sixtus the 5th would have reared this as he did others had not death shortned his days Above the Circ riseth an entire Temple four squared with Pillars and Corridores before it Which as is supposed was dedicated to the Dio Ridicolo uppon this occasion Hannibal having slain 40 thousand Romans at the battail of Cannae marched with his victorious Army to the siege of Rome and pitched his Camp in that very place where a diffused Laughter being heard over his Camp it caused a prodigious fear and that made him raise the Siege and retreat to the Terra di Lavoro which had he obstinatly continued some time longer having created such a consternation in the Citizens he had undoubtedly taken Rome with small difficulty but as Livy saies an Affrican told Hannibal He knew how to obtain but not how to make use of Victory Thus was Rome delivered from Hannibal and the Romans in commemoration of so great a benefit received from the God of Laughter consecrated that Temple to the Dio Ridicoloso Hence you must return by three miles journey back to Rome and arrived at the walls enter by the Porta Latina near whereto is the Church S. Giovanni where t is said the same Saint was cast into boyling oyl by the command of Domitian for which a feast is alwaies solemnized in May thence follow the street to the Porta Gabiosa so called for that intending for the Citty Gaba you must march out of it where the Via Roma connexeth with the Prenestina as sometimes the Via Appia unites with the Latina MONTE CELIO Leaving the Wall on the right hand of the Porta Gabiosa you ascend Monte Celio wch runs along by the wall to the Porta Maggiore This Hill was antiently called Querquetulano from the multitude of Oaks growing thereon before the Tuscans inhabited it to whom licence was given to dwell in the Bourg Tosco because they marched under their Captain Cloche Vibenna to the assistance of the Romans against their Enemies On this Hill at this day rests no Antique thing of moment more than the infinite ruines of Fabricks One part of it is na med Celiolo where stands a Church of Santo Giovanni Evangelista called ante Portam Latinam which was antiently a Temple sacred to Diana On the top of the Celio is a round Church dedicated to S. Stefano by Pope Simplicio from being a Temple of Faunus whose antiquity threatning destruction Nicholas the fifth repaired it and Gregory the thirteenth beautifyed it with Pictures of Martyrs and Saints Curia Hostilia stood where now is Santi Giovanni and Paulo towards the Settizonio of Severus built by Tullius Hostilius different from that in the Foro Romano Here the Senate assembled for state affairs The Church of S. Maria in Domenica is seated towards the Aventino and was restored by Leo the 10th here antiently stood the Dwellings of the Albani and near them the Aqueduct for the Aqua Claudia in the Arch whereof are engraven these words P. Corn R. F. Dolabella Cos. C. Junius C. P. Silanus Flamen Martial Ex S. C. Faciundum curaverunt Idemque Probaverunt By the same Aqueduct stands a great Fabrick as a conservatory of the Waters The Castra Peregrina stood in old time where the Church of Santi quatro Coronati was built by Pope Honorius and restored by Paschal the second In those Castles they used to rendezvouz and accommodate the People for Sea affairs which Augustus used to keep in the ordinary Fleet at Niseno Between the Porta Gabiusa and Celimontana abound great ruines of the Palace of Constantine the great called now S. Giovanni by which may be comprehended the magnificent state and splendor of that Emperor San Giovanni in Laterano keeps its antient name built by Constantine the Great at the instance of Pope Sylvester formerly the Seat of the Roman Pontifices at first called Romae Episcopi Bishops of Rome but afterwards induced thereunto by the pleasantness of the Vatican Hills they translated their habitation thither building a renowned Palace near St. Peters Church Near the said Church stands Il Battisterio di Constantino of an orbicular form sustained by 8. porphyr Pillars Report saith that Constantine the Great labouring under a Leaprosie at the perswasions of his Phisicians resolved to bath himself in the blood of Infants and for that intent erected this sumptuous structure but being admonished in a dream to bath himself in holy water in the name of Jesus Christ the true God whom Helena his Mother worshipped the Emperor obeyed the Celestial admonition and was baptized in that porphyr Font now in the said Temple For the truth hereof the Reader is desired to consult his own thought It not being likely that so magnificent a structure should be built and intended for perpetrating that notorious crime which should rather be kept close and tacitely concealed
than published with such vain ostentation besides that Historians say he was baptized by the Nichomedian Bishop when he arrived in Asia Bâ—…isardo thinks that the said Battisteriâ—… was rather the Bath to the Lateran Pallace and the Form of the Fabrick induceth him and others to the same belief But however it was t is most certain that Constantine the great having profest the Christian Religion was baptized in this Church and the same Babtistary t is shewed to this day and all converts to the Christian Religion are there still baptized On the right hand of it are certain holy chappels and therein preserved many pretious Marbles and some Pillars conveyed hither from Jerusalem At the entrance of the Church San Giovanni Laterano stand many sumptuous Tombs of Popes and Altars wrought excellently with Marble upon the high Altar is the last supper of Christ ingraven in silver of great value set up by Clement the seaventh who also raised the great rich Organ and that stately Vestry for the use of the Church Before the Chorus were four hollow brasen Pillars of Corinthian work which t is said were brought from Jerusalem full of the holy Earth where our Saviour was enterred others say that Sylla fetched them from Athens and others that Augustus caused them to be cast in Rome of the Beaks of the Galleys taken in the Actiack battail and in memorial applyed to the Temple of Jupiter Capitolino Furthermore others say that Vespasian translated them with the other spoils from Jerusalem Of late Clement the 8th caused them to be guilt over and placed them on the high Altar with a brass Scutcheon guilt and affixed to them wherein his Arms are engraven Before Sixtus the 5th reedified from the foundations the Lateranian Palace there was a great hall where the Pope with the Ecclesiastical Synod of Cardinals and Arch-bishops rendred themselves when they were to manage any substantial business Those three great marble Collumnes were shipped from the Palace in Jerusalem here the Later aneâ—…sial counsels were solemnized with the assistance of the whole Clergy The Scala Sancta contained 28 stairs which stood in Pilats House the which Christ ascended when he was whipped are transferred by the Pope into another place where Christians frequent them and for devotion creep up them upon their knees kissing them Here were two porphyr chairs whereof the Enemies of the Catholick Faith recount certain shamefull Fables which have been sufficiently confuted by Cardinal Bellarmine in his first Tome of the controversies of the Roman Bishop as also the story of Pope Joan whom the story saies to be John the 7th who succeeded Leo the 4th confuted by the said Cardinal and Onofrius and lately by Florimondo Romondo in French The Pillar of white Marble placed in the wall and divided in two is thought to be broken miraculously at the death of Christ when the Veyl of the Temple rent Sancta Sanctorum is a Chappel held in great veneration the ingress therein is forbidden to women In it are kept the Ark of the Covenant the rod of Aaron the Table whereon Christs last supper was celebrated of the sacred Manna the Navil string and praepuce of Christ a Vyal of Christs blood some thorns of his Crown one whole Nail wherewith he was fastened to the Cross. The Snaffle of Constantine the great his Horse which was made of the two nayls which pierced his feet the fourth was placed in the Emperors golden Diademe In the same place are likewise shewed many Reliques which are regarded by the Romans with huge Devotion here is to be observed that the old pictures of the Greeks and Gregory Bishop of Turona shew that Christ was fastened to the Cross with two nails in his feetand a little table under Somewhat distant from S. Giovanni stands a Gate of the City called now by the same name but antiently Celimontana from Mount Celio Hence the Via Campagna takes its beginning leading to the Campagna called Terra di Lavoro from its sterility Forth the City it joines with the Latina On the back part of Monte Celio lyes the Church Santa Croce di Jerusalem one of the seaven chief formerly sacrate to Venus and Cupid In it is kept a part of the Lords Cross and the title of the Cross writ in three languages one of the thirty pence which Judas the Traitor received for betraying Christ a Thorn of the Crown with other sacred Reliques Here under the Earth Helena the mother of Constantine built a Chappel wherein Women are permitted entrance only upon the 20th of March to the Monastery of this Temple is adjoyned an Amphitheatre somewhat less but more antient than the Coliseo which was edificated by Statilius Taurus in the reign of Augustus but t was for the most part destroyed by Pope Paul the 3d. for reparation of the Monastery On one side of Santa Croce appear yet some ruines of the Basilica Sessariana near the Walls The Arches which enter the City by Porta Nevia and pass over the top of the Celio to the Aventino were the Arches for the Aqueduct of the Claudian water and were the highest and longest of Rome Claudius conveighed this water from forty miles off into the City Some of this water run into the Palace some into the Campidoglio but the greatest part to the Aventino The said Porta Nevia was also called Nevia and Santa Croce and was built in an Arch Triumphal which demonstrates the Majesty and grandeur of the work Near the Aqueduct for the Aqua Claudia towards Monte Celio stands the Hospital S. Giovanni being both wealthy and comodious for receipt of infirm and sick Persons abounding in all sorts of Phisical ingredients Physicians Apothecaries Surgeons attendants and whatever els can conduce to the good of the Patients This conveniency hath in all ages induced many Princes and other Persons of quality and richeâ—… when their Maladies require to make this Hospital their abode though they lye there at their own expence In the Court of it are Sepultures of divers sorts Baths with sculptures of Satyrs and different Actions The battail of the Amazones The Chase of Meleager and other fair objects The Temple of S. Clement Pargetted with various coloured Marble hath divers old inscriptions many figures of the sacred in struments used in the divine services by the Popes as also in the Sacrifices by the Priests of the Gentiles and the Southsayers In the return you meet that stupendious and admirable Mole the Amphitheatre called vulgarly Coliseo from the Colossean statue of 120 foot high which Nero erected The altitude of this Amphitheatre was such and the structure so compact that Rome afforded nothing more stately 'T was eleaven yeers continued labour for thirty thousand Slaves and capable of eighty seaven thousand men who might conveniently dispose theselves in the surrounding Seats for be holding the Playes there yeerly exhibited The house of Nero occupying all that space between the Hils Palatino and Celio reached to the Esquilie so
ample that it had more the face and semblance of a City than of a single house within were comprehended Fields Lakes Woods and a Gallery of a mile long with three ranks of Pillars many of its Chambers were guilt and adorned with gems and the Temple dedicated to Fortuna Seia had in it an Image of the same Goddesse of transparent Marble On the left hand stands the Arch Triumphal of Constantine the Great as yet whole and perfect with all his victories and statues carved on it This Arch was erected in honour of that Emperor by the Romans after he had overcome at Ponte Milvio Maxentius who had tyrannically oppressed Rome and Italy At present they manage horses in the Coliseo And near it rises a proud Fabrick in form of a Pyramid which was called La Meta Sudante for that thence issued Streams of water whereof such as had disposed themselves in the Amphitheatre to see the sports had given them to satisfie their thirsts when desired by any Thus ends the second dayes Journey The third dayes Journey of ROME LEaving the Castle Saint Angelo on the right hand of the Torre Sanguina passing through the street Orso where it divides you find the house of Bildo Ferratino in the frontispiece whereof stands a statue of Galba the Emperor with other figures In the Palace of the Duke of Altemps they shew many monuments of Antiquity Epitaphs Inscriptions aud Reliques which wonderfully delight the eyes of skilfull Artists and ingenious Men among others the statue of Seneca the Philosopher and the Vestry and Chapel of the Duke clear demonstrations of the piety and religion of the Patrones Near it stands the house of Cardinal Gaetano containing some rare Antique statues Towards Navova is the Church of S. Apollinare formerly the Temple of Apollo and behind it the Church of Saint Augustine where the Tombe of Santa Monica his Mother is shewed with her Reliques That spatious Court before the Palace of the Dutchess of Parma corruptly called Piazza Navona was formerly the Circo Agonale wherin they exhibited the Agonalian fights and games instituted by Numa Pompilius in honour of Janus Nero augmented this Circ and so did Alexander the Son of Manca who erected also near it a Palace and the famous Alexandrian Hot baths Hereabouts also Nero and Adrian had their Baths but the continued edifices there have lost the very foundations of the old structures In the house of the Bishops of Saula is shewed the Head of M. Tul lius Cicero in that of Alexander Ruâ—…ino the Image of Julius Caesar Armed like a Colossus with his thighs neatly harnessed after the old-fashion and oposite to it another of the same heighth and vests of Octavius Caesar. Then which statues Rome scarce affords any thing of better workmanship Those round and high Arches which rise in that place called the Ciambella are reliques of the Bathes of M. Agrippa near which Nero built others whose Fragments shew themselves behind S. Eustachio M. Agrippa Built the Pantheon near his Bathes in honour of all the Gods a Temple to be admired for the Architecture and wealth the most antient entire and splendid of any at this day extant in Rome He built it orbicular that Preeminence of Place might create no quarrels among the Gods Others say he dedicated it to Ope and Cibele as mother of the Gods and Mistress of the Earth Afterwards the Popes consecrated it to the Blessed Virgin and all the Saints It hath no windowes being in lieu thereof supplyed with light from a great Open space at top the rain water driving there through is received into a large brass Vessel at the bottom which in old time was covered with plates of silver but Constantine the Nephew of Heraclius took away that with the other ornaments of the City antiently t was ascended to by 7 steps but now who enters it must descend 18. steps whereby appears how vast are the heaps of ruines An inscription of very long Letters testifie that Severus and M. Antonius repaired the Pantheon then threatning a ruine Herein lies Raphael of Urbin the Prince of Painters And before it stands a large Vessel of Porphyr admirable for the grandeur and curiosity of workmanship one like to which is extant in Santa Maria Maggiore under the Crucifix Near it Santa Maria della Minerva so called from its first dedication to Minerva presents it self where the Dominican Fryers inhabit which hath nothing of antiquity more than the Walls and some old Inscriptions Here lies the Cardinals Pietro Bembo and Tomaso Gaetano learned men of their time and Santa Caterina of Siena A great arch now old rude and divested of all its ornaments stood near it called Camiliano which they think to be built by Camillus but falsly for those kind of works were first set a foot in the reigns of the Emperors sometime since this Arch was by licence of Pope Clement the 8th pulled down by Cardinal Salviano who with those stones amplified his own adjacent Palace near this Arch lay a foot of a Colossus very great which is supposed to be transferred to the Campidoglio where t is now obvious In the house of Paulus de Castro is seen the head of Socrates with his whole breast and many other things which will recreate the spectator In the Palace of S. Marca in the Via Lata there is such another Vessel of Marble as is at San Salvatore del Lauro taken out of the Baths of Agrippa and a statue of Fauna or as others say of the good Goddess All those things wherewith of old the Court of Nerva was garnished are either by age decayed or translated to some other place t is called also Foro Transitorio because over it they walked to go to the Foro Augusto and Romano for which reason that Church is called S. Adriano in trefori here stood likewise the Palace of the said Emperor whose ruines were removed elsewhere Here also lies the Foro Trajano between the Campidoglio the Quirinale and the Foro Augusto this was environed with a magnificent gallery sustained with noble pillars whereof Apolliodorus was Architector and adorned with statues Images and a triumphal Marble Arch of all which nought remains except two of the Pillars at Santa Maria di Loreto And one Collumne spread over within with Cockle shells which demonstrates the splendor and Majesty of the Emperors t is 128 foot high besides the bases which is 12. foot more t is raised by 24 stones only but they so vast that it appears the work of Gyants every one of those stones hath eight stayers by which they get up inwardly to the top which are enlightned by 44 Casements Round it are carved the noble Acts of Caesar Trajano in the Dacian Warr. No part of the world can boast a work more admirable or more magnificent 'T was erected in honour of that good Emperor who was not so fortunate as to see it finished for being detained in the Parthick warr upon his
return a flux of blood seized him in the City of Soria in Seleâ—…cia whereof he dyed his body was brought to Rome and his bones inclosed in a Pile placed on the top of the Columne In this Foro di Trajano stand the Churches of Saint Silvester S. Biasio Sant Martino placed there by S. Marco the first Pope Boniface the 8th erected there 3 Towers called now Le Militie chiefly that in the midst where Trajan used to quarter his Souldiers Above it lies the the Vineyard of Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandino meriting a view wherein besides the Fountains and Sources of waters which form many streams you may see some old noble Marbles among others Harpocrate a Child wrought by an exquisite hand and an old painted picture found some yeers since retaining the beauty of its colours a wonder to believe since it is so antient and so long lay hid in a grotto near S. Maria Maggiore IL MONTE ESQUILINO AT the Foro di Nerva begins the Suburb which extended to the Tiburtina dividing the Esquilie the Vale between the Esquilie and the Viminale they name Vico Patricio because many Patritii that is to say Nobles dwelt in that part L'Esquilie was so called because in the time of Romulus the Sentinels were placed there this hill is severed from the Celio by the Via Lavicana from the Viminale by the Vico Patritio The Via Tiburtina as abovesaid crosseth it in the midst which way ascends from the Suburb to the Porta Nevia but before it comes to the trophees of Marius t is cut in two the right hand way leads towards San Giovanni Laterano conjoyning with the Lavicana the left goes to the Porta di San Lorenzo by the name of Prenestina In the Via Tiburtina is the Arch of Galienus the Emperor called San Vito from the neighbouring Temple Here was the Macello Lanieno the Market for all eating things The Temple of Isis now of Santa Maria Maggiore consists of exquisite structure adorned with gold and rare Marbles and sustained by Ionick Pillars Here Santo Hieronimo lies enterred and here they shew an Image of the Virgin painted as is credited by St. Luke the Evangelist Near it stands the Church of S. Lucia and that of S. Pudentiana here of old stood a wood sacred to Juno reverenced with great but blind zeal In the Church of S. Prassede are many inscriptions and the Pillar to which our Lord being bound was whipped this they say was brought from Jerusalem In San Pietro in Vincula are many admi rable things among others the Tombes of Julius the second whereon Moses is engraven by Buonorota a work excelling most of the Antient of Cardinal Sadoleto and Cardinal di Tucino Thence you go to the Church de quaranta Martiri from whence by the Via Labicano to S. Clement the Esquilie extended it self and was there called Carine Near Saint Pietro in Vincula are some subterranean edifices the remains of Vespasians Baths called the Sette Sale being designed for keeping the waters requisite to the Baths in them was found that sta tue of Laocoon now translated to the Vatican which gives such admiration to all aspicients The Church of S. Maria nâ—… Monti was built by Pope Symachus in the decayes of Adrians Baths the place being thence denominated at this day Adrianello At the Church d'Santi Ginliano and Eusebio elates it self a huge Fabrick of brick work wherein were the receptacles of the Aqua Martia on the upper part whereof are figured the Trophees of Marius that is a heap of spoils and Arms bound to the body of a Tree placed there in honour of Marius for his expedition against the Cimbrians which things being afterwards torn down by Sylla in the civil war were restored again by C Caesar to their former lustre and yet remain in the Campidoglio Behind the Trophees in that Vineyard appear great ruines of the Emperor Gordianus his Baths near which the said Emperor raised a stupendious Palace which had two hundred Pillars in a double Rank But hereof no more but high walls appear All its Ornaments and Pillars being thence translated for beautifying other Palaces From these Baths the way on the right hand called Labicana goes to Porta Maggiore or Santâ—… Croce antiently Nevia Between this Gate and that of San Lorenzo near the walls rise vast ruines of the Temple dedicated to the name of â—…aius and Lucius the Nephews of Augustus and built by him one arched roof yet may be seen called Gallucio as of Caio and Lâ—…cio Near it was the Palace of Licino where now S. Sabina stands there placed by Pope Simplex contiguous with which Pallace was the place called Orso Pileato from a Bears figure there By the gate Esquiliâ—…a San Lorenzo or Tibuntina by all which names t is frequently called stands the Church San Lorenzo built by Constantine the great in honour of that Martyr replenished with antiquities but especially the instruments used in the sacrifices are carved on inembossed work by this Gate also enters the Aqueduct by which the Aqua Martia is conveighed into the City first raised by Q. Martius afterwards consumed by Age restored by M. Agrippa This water was brought from 35. miles off the City and ran into Dioclesians Baths and the adjacent places t was very healthfull and therefore chiefly accomodated for the drink of the People On the other side of this Gate entered the Acque Tepola Julia the one was conveighed six miles the other eleaven from without the City To these joyned the Aniene which ran from Tivoli 20. miles distance Over the Aniene stands the Ponte Mammea so named from Mammea the Mother of Alexander Severus the Emperor by whom t was repaired from this Gate the Via Prenestina reached to Praenestâ—… and the Labicana to Labi That part of the Esquilie near San Lorenzo in Fonâ—… was named Virbo Clivio which was the Grove Fugatale where Servius Tullius dwelt and there lies the Vico Ciprio called also Scelerato for that Tullius was there slain by his Son in Law over whose dead body his own Daughter commanded her Coachman to drive her Chariot This Vico or Town extended to Busta Gallica where the Galli Senoni or the French were slain burnt and buried by Camillus now this place s denominated Porto Gallo where the Church Saint Andrea is built On the top of this Vico Scelerato Cossius had his Palace afterwards dedicated to the Goddess Tellura now to Saint Pantaleoâ—… near Santa Agna at the foot of the Viminale stood a Temple of Silvâ—… whose decays yet appear IL COLLE VIMINALE THe hill Viminale is next to the Esquilino and runs along by the Walls t was so named from a famous Temple dedicated to Jupiter Viminale whence also the contiguous Gate took the name Viminale and Nomentana from the way leading to Nomento which is now called S. Agnese from the Church of that name near it which was formerly dedicated to Bacchus therein is an old porphyr Arch
there and that to her was erected a Tombe and she there reverenced and annually adored with sacrifices â—…nder the Title of a Goddesse in form of a Bird. And we certainly know that therefore the Syrens were adored as Goddesses among the tutelary Gods the placeby the Campaâ—…i over all that tract of Magna Grecia and this in the flower of the Roman Empire I remember furthermore that many yeers since I saw in Naples the Syren carved together with Ebone and Sebeto tutelary Gods of the Neapolitans upon a round marble Altar which is now placed in the receptacle of the fountain water lying on the extremity of the Mole in the port of Naples besides which said opinions there are of those as Diodorus Siculus and Oppianus who hold that Naples was built by Hercules and Oppiâ—… in particular alluding to the name of the City in his poeme of hunting calls Naples the new Camp of Hercules In fine all writers concur in this that she is a most antient City and was famous before Rome flourishing among the most illustrious greek Cities of Italy for the Pythagorean philosophy Afterwards the Roman Empire spreading it self over Italy because she most forwardly submitted her self to it whilst they were in agitation to subject Campania the Romans received her among the other free and confederate Cities and Livy affirms as well as many other Authors that she from that time constantly continued her Friendship and observed that Faith which at the first she had given to the Romans Furthermore the affaires of the Republique being reduced to a bad state in the sixth yeer of the Câ—…rthaginian war she not only resolved not to withdraw it self from the Romans in despight of the near lying Capua and the other rebellious Cities but also as the said Livy relates sent Embassadors to Rome and by them would have presented as an Act of Liberality and Noblenesse to the Senate then in Court forty Goblets of Gold of great weight and therewith offered force riches and in sum all whatever their Ancestors had left them in aid assistance and defence of the Empire and City of Rome To which Embassadors then with all demonstration of courtesy were returned great thanks and only one of those Goblets retained and that also weighed the least of them wherefore for her great and constant fidelity was she ever esteemed held and honoured among the free and Confederate Cities of Italy as well in the times of the Consuls as under the Emperors she Capua being opprest subdued and reduced to the servitude of the Praefectura augmented sufficiently and most happily enjoyed for a long time the fruits of her fidelity Hither as Strâ—…bo instructâ—…us the youth to intend their studies and many ancient men to enjoy quiet and tranquility of mind were wont to retire themselves from Rome as to the purpose Silius Italicus and before him Horatins Flacâ—…us to the same sung saying Nunc nidles urbi ritus atque hospita Musis Otia exemptum curis gravioribus aeuum Italy affords not a place enjoying so milde and benigne a heaven as Naples having a double spring yeerly in flowers which the surrounding Fields produce plentifully as also great variety of Fruits and those the most prized participating no small quantity of fountains and springs and of healthfull and good waters to say no more t is scarce to be believed a natural thing but wonderfull how infinite is their abundance and therefore with good reason may she be called the Paradise of Italy which particulars have chiefly been the inviting argument for so many Emperours Kings Princes and ingenuous Persons to make their frequent applications and residence here and to this day t is reckoned the third City of Italy and the delights which nature hath allowed this place are so great that meritoriously is she stuft with so many proud Palaces and stately houses of Princes and other Grandees who reside in them the most part of the yeer T is most perspicuous and known to all that Titus Livius the Padouan Historian Q. Horatius Flaccus Statius Papinius Claudins Claudianus all famous Poets Annius Seneca the Philosopher and infinite others who have rendred themselves immortal by their wits and learned writings retired to Naples for their better and more due attention to their studies We read furthermore that P. Virgilius Maro lived most sweetly for a long space in Naples and there composed his Georgicks as at the end of his fourth book may be collected Illo Virgilium me tempore dulcis alebat Parthenope studiis florentem ignobilis ori He dying in Brindesi commanded that his body should be hither conveighed and buried in Naples as we learn from divers testimonies of old Poets Servius his Comentator writes that Virgils Sepulchre lies two miles distant from Naples in the way of Pozznolo near the gurge of that subterranean cave the famous Grot under Pausilipus now the Inhabitants shew the place in the gardens of San Severinus over the door of the garden is this inscription Maronis Urnam Cum adjacente Monticulo extensaque ad Cryptam Planitie Modiorum trium cum dimidio circiter Urbano VIII annuente c. Renovanda Mem. Praesentis Concessionis singulis XXVIII annis in actis Cur. Archiepiscopalis Virgils Tombe is built in a Rotunda or Cupola about five paces long on the infide the walls are of brick in square after the Roman way the outside of massive stone covered over with bushes and among them three or four bay trees an immortal testimony of the Prince of Poets there interred shoot forth about a mans heighth round it lye scattered ruines testifying its formers beauty in the Rock just opposite to the entrance where his known Epitaph of Mantua me genuit was that being decayed is placed a Marble stone with these Verses STAISI Cencoviâ—…s 15. 89. Qui Cineres Tumuli haec vestigia conditur olim Ille hoc qui cecinit Pascua rura Duces Can. Rec. MDLIIII What dust lies here this Heap protects his Hearse Who whil'ome Warbled Fields Farms Fights in Verse The Crypta Neapolitana a perfect signe of the Roman magnificence is the Rocky mountain Pausilipus cut thorough very high spatious and well paved so that for the space of a mile two Coaches may go on front under ground From the garden of San Severinus you may see the house of Attius Sincerus Sannallarius the Poet emulous of Virgil which by his testament was made a Monastery whose Church is called Della Beate Virgine therein stands a marble Sepulchre car ved with great industry on the one side is Orpheus or Apollo on the other the Sybil or the Muse wrought of white marble and here read this Epigram of Cardinal Pietro Bembo Da sacro cineri Folres hic ille Maroni Sincerus Musa proximus ut tumulo Vixit annos 72. Obiit anno 1530. To return to Naples t is a City at this time no lesse famous for the nobility and magnificence of her Citizens inhabitants then for the vast
with art and in such plenty that they suddenly wet all the aspicients not thinking of it in the summer a sufficient cooling these Fields by the vicinity of the Vesuvius enjoy great plenty of sweet waters the Fire within forcing out many fountains of sweet waters purged and pure hence also the Sebeto acknowledgeth its being and the greatnesse of its Chanel being conveighed into all the streets of Naples by Pipes under ground to all the publique and private palaces and habitations so great comodity of all things brings to its inhabitants the Paradise of Italy as Corona Pighio frequently and not improperly calls her that flourishing part of the Neapolitan territory although many times afflicted with wars and earthquakes IL MONTE VESUVIO VEsevo or Vesuvio or Vesuvius so called by the Antients from the sparkling was a most fair mountain and formerly a goodly Countrey for about four miles compasse lay at top which then produced the excellent Graeco but t is now layed wast T is an imitator and companion or rather the Brother of flaming AEtna and is begotten by earthquakes and fire the materials whereof it continually retains in the profoundest part of it which as if withheld within it self for some yeers till come to maturity and as if the spirits were summoned and fomented with fury evaporates fire breaks open the firm parts of the Mountain and vomits forth its inward parts as earth stones flames smoke and ashes throwing them up into the air with horrid noise and with such force that the Vesuvio seems to imitate the war of the Gyants by fighting against Jupiter and the Gods with flames arms and huge stones some whereof four porters can scarce move and seeming to draw the Sun down to the earth to change the day into night and lastly to cover the very heavens Experience and the testimony of Strabo Vitruvius and other antient Authors assures us that under Vesuvio aud the adjacent Maritimate Mountains and of the neighbouring Islands are vast burning sires of sulphur pitch and allume the hot bathes and sulphu reons boyling fountains sufficiently prove it and therefore the Vesuvio when abounding with fire sometimes asends sometimes useth to move earthquakes and vast ruins and destructions That incendium was the greatest and most famous which happened under the Emperor Titus Vespasianus described in a print by Dion Cassius and other Authors the ashes of which fire were not only exported to Rome by the wind but over the Seas into Affrick and into AEgypt the Fish in the boyling Sea were dressed the birds were suffocated in the air and the famous and most antient adjacent Cities Stabia Herculeano and Pompeo were heaped and covered over with ashes and stones while the people were sitting in the Theatre and C. Plinius the famous Naturalist who then governed and commanded the Armada of Misenus too inquisitive after the cause of this intestine fire approached too near and by the heat and savour received his end by being suffocated near the Porto Herculiano Francesco Petrarca noting this acutely in his triumph of Fame saies he wrote much but dyed little discreetly Mentr'io moriva subito hebbe scorto Quel Plinio Veronese suo Vicino A scriver molto a morir poco accorto Yet for all that to Pliny succeeded so fearfull his dalliance Stephano Pighino himself not thereby fore warned could not forbear but took a voyage of 30. yeers old in order to his studies into Italy through Campania and Naples to the end he might search out and behold the place of such wonders although very high and no lesse difficult to ascend which cost him an entire dayes labour and with his two companions he marched round the mountain reaching the very top where he could scarce satiate his view in looking on the bourg the Countrey round about the Islands and the Sea Vesuvio riseth in the midst of a most fertile Countrey the ashes scattered over it the stones and clods of earth burnt by the fire and dissolved by the rain afterward infinitely enrich and fructifie all the countrey in such sort that the vulgar to purpose enough call Campagna the mountain and the Castle built at the foot of the mountain Sommano from Somma the sum and wonderfull abundance of generous wines and excellent fruit the Vesevo as well as the Campagna and neighbouring hills being surrounded with fair vineyards So also Martial sung that in his time it was green with the sprouts of the vines bewailing in his first book with a fair epigram that fierce fire happening in Vespasians dayes the top in all times and ages hath been ever held barren through the burned stones as if eaten up by flames T is hideous to behold the deep cracks in the earth through which the streams of sulphur pass but when arrived at top the Vorago represents hell so terrifying is the spectacle T is a hole about three miles compass and round as if formed like the middle and lower part of an Amphitheatre t is called Lazza from the form of the Rock Fish the bottom of it reaches to the bowels of the Earth The place is cold now nor seems it to emit the least heat or smoak which the said Pighius testifies who descended as far into that profundity as the the precipices and obscurity of the place would permit the first entrance of the Vorago is fertile through the earth and ashes cast on it and growes green through the firre and other great trees growing in it as far as the Sun can reflect into it or the rains penetrate but the parts under restrained to a narrow compass are as t were stopped by the great pieces of stone and rocks and arms and bodies of trees fallen down which obstructions when the in ward Materials of fire abound like little bundles of straw are easily raised and mounted to the skyes by the invincible force of its smoake or flames The fire also is known to open it self a way not only by the ordinary mouth but on other sides also as occasion offers whereof we have a memorial in the Italian Annales To wit that two hundred sixty and six yeers since in the Pontificacy of Benedict the 9th from one side of the Mountain gushed out a stream or river of flames which ran into the Sea in a liquid fire like water the issue and footsteps of which Cavern t is said appear yet The Roman History tells us that besides the mouth it had other issues and courses for the flames of old for instance it saies that Spartacus the sword-player having begun to raise the war of the Fugitives against the Romans in Campania and having possessed the mountain Vesuvius with his army as a strong fortress and sure retreat for war and being there afterwards besieged he escaped from the Roman siege by an admirable way for that covertly fastning chains at the mouth of the Mountain he with his companions let themselves down to the bottom as L. Florus briefly relates in his
of Pozzuolo we also have proved and tryed that dust as others did for we find that troops in the passage by foot or horse raise the dust and that at our issuing out of that obscurity we were all yellow and looking and laughing at one another we much wondered at it finding a more then desirable inconvenience in cleansing our selves of that filth The cause of which dust is easily known to proceed from the exclusion of the wind and rain so that the raised dust as Seneca saies having no Vent falls down on it self or on those that raise it whence we collect that in the time of Nero this cavern had no Casements or breathings whereby it might receive air or light more then at the entrance and end because Seneca calls it a long and obscure prison where nothing is to be seen but darkness Yet Cornelius Strabo testifies by the riving or chops of the Mountain in divers places that many windows gave it light which being closed or earthed up either through the earthquakes or the carelesness of the times we may rationally imagine rendred this longcavern so darksom Pietro Rassano a Sicilian Bishop of Lucerie writes that in his time which we may count to be above 250. yeers since this cavern was found without any holes and without light and that the entrance and the out-passage were so filled up with ruines and bushes that t was terrible to enter without light and that therefore the King of the Arragonians Alfonsus the first having reduced this Province enlarged and levelled the way and the entrance of the Caverne and closing the top of the Cavern opened two lights which obliquely enlighten it whose reflection at a distance seems to the aspicients snow scattered on the earth in the midst of this darksome way is a little sacred place cut in the walls of the mountain where night and day a lamp perpetually burns which puts the travellers in remembrance of the eternal light and shews in a painted tablet our salvation proceeding from the virgin Mother Mary a Lampe perpetually burns there and the words at the Incounter are Alla Marina Alla Montagne In our times D Pietro di Toledo magnificently restored and aggrandized this work so worthy of eternity being then governor of Naples Kingdom by the favour of the Emperor Charls the fifth the way is now become so strait that it seems to such as enter the cavern a Star to which they ought to direct their course in the darkness by means whereof with what pleasure they behold all such as enter on foot or horsback at the other end who seem like Pigmies at that distance is scarce imaginable Divers are the opinions of the learned touching the time and beginning of this great work worthy of the mind of Serse omitting the idle prating of the vulgar who attribute it to the magick incantations of the Poet Virgil whose ashes by the opinion of many ly at the mouth of the Cavern or of others who make one Basso the author of whom there is no record among the antients we beleive we may draw from Strabo Eforus Homerus and other greek writers that the Cimmerij a most antient people dwelt in that Canton of Campania between Baio Lucerno and Averno and that they lay in denns and subterranean Caves and that running the one to the other they dug out metals and hollowed mountains and in profound Caverns exercised by means of their Priests Negromancy and inchantments conducting travellers and pilgrims to the oracles of the infernal gods which people being destroyed the Greeks who succeeded them and built Cuma and Naples accommodated as most suppose those Caves of the Cimmerii into hot baths and baths ways and other conveniences for humane use So likewise the Romans after the example of the Grecians being chiefly enclined to great and magnificent impreses encreased these laborious under-ground structures and at the time when they became the Lords of the world they there erected their Palaces of Recreation and Mannor houses little inferiour to Castles when the rare quality of the dust of Pozzuolo was discovered extracted from those mountains to be very efficacious for binding building and establishing foundations of Edifices in the waters Strabo affirms that in his time M. Agrippa under Augustus cutting up the wood on the mountain Avernus which corrupted the air among the other antique magnificent things found out a subterranean cavern hollowed even to Cuma the which as was conjectured together with another between Naples and Pozzuolo was made by one Cocceio and that in his time the custom of the Countrey was to make such underground waies and Caverns from whose words we collect that for a long time before Strabo the Cocceian family were got together in Campania and that the place was called Spelonca though for truth we cannot set down any thing of certain of him that first made it nor is it probable to me that Strabo could be ignorant of the deeds of L. Lucullus the which in those places were very great and of excessive expence from which he was called Serse Togato by Pompeius Magnus by Tuberone by Cicero and the other principal men of Rome wherefore their sence pleaseth me who impose on him the concavating the Pausilipus for the conveniency of his Villa because t is written by Marcus Varro Pliny and others that L. Lucullus cut a mountain in the midst of Naples with greater cost then he expended in building his Manor house for to what end should he not to level and accomodate the way for passengers but rather to open a gulfe of the Sea whereby at his pleasure to admit and let in Sea water to his Fishponds that so the caves of the mountain might be a good receipt for his Fish which he kept alive to lye in as well in Winter as Summer At the outgoing of this Cavern you perceive by little little the odour of brimstone in the air which here and there proceeds out of divers vaults By it lies the Lake Aniano in similitude of an Amphitheatre surrounded and shut in on all sides by the Mountains and through a mouth of a hill cut with iron great plenty of Sea watet and great concaves made ponds for Fish at present filled with mud sand and ruines of structures Leandro and others write from the relation of the peasants there that in the midst of the Lake there is no mud and that in the spring time with great noyse fury fall down from the highest praecipices of the rocks there round in to these waters Knots of Serpents knit and bound together which are never seen again to get out Near them are the sweating Rooms of Germanus vaulted from under which through the superficies rise vapours so hot that who enters though naked shall soon perceive a mighty sweat trickle down his body Wherefore those places are held of exceeding validity to such as suffer under the gout by purging the bad and malevolent humours they
heal internal wounds and are helpfull for many infirmities of the body which if any desire ampler satisfaction in he may read the Tract of Gio Francesco Lombardo who gives an account of all such as have writ in verse or prose of the baths and wonders of Pozzuolo but we are obliged to too much hast to relate with care and amplitude all particulars wee meet with In the Campagnia of Pozzuolo Baia Cuma and the near Island Enarie by the old Greeks called Pythecus are found great quantity of the like Miracles that it might be well beleived that there nature serves Apollo perpetually and AEsculapius Higia and the Nymphs although the earthquakes and the volleys of fire which frequently happen demonstrate sufficiently that in divers places that as well under the foundation of the Sea as under the Mountains and in the lowest parts of the Earth great fires are kindled whose boyling vapours and flames working their own way through the veins of Allum sulphure pitch and other materials cause to rise in divers places hot and boyling fountains and create baths in the Caverns comodious for sweating Yet the nature and faculty of these things are different being conformed to the propriety of the materials and the earth whence the source proceeds so that among the medicinal and healthfull faculty of these waters we find some waters and vapours mortal which issue out of some muddy earth evil in it self Pliny in the second of his natural Histories writes that in Italy and particularly in the Campagna of Siâ—…vessa and Pozzuolo are vents or breathings so evil that they evaporate a mortall air At the foot of the mountain which circles the Lak Anianus not far from the said waters appears a Cave called Grotta di Cane eight or nine paces in circuit by which mouth two or more men may commodiously enter together where from the inmost part of the stone from its invisible pores proceed hot spirits but so subtile and dry that they carry not with them any similitude of smoke or vapour although they condense the air driven thither by the wind and the colds of the Cavern with great heat and change them into water as the dâ—…ops demonstrate which hang at the entrance of the Cave shining like little staâ—…rs when they are beheld at the opening of the Cave by those without in the light they have been often taken for drops of quicksilver All men generally believe this Grotta to have such an innate property that if any living thing should pass the prefixed term of a certain ditch in the entrance it would without doubt suddenly fall upon the earth and would be wholly deprived of life if not immediately drawn out and cast into the near standing waters or pool called Agnano by whose coldness only in a short time by little and little it recovers Life Whereof Travellers dayly make experiments if curious to know the wonders of nature by casting in cocks or dogs or some other live creature to which they fasten a rope to draw them up by Leandro Alberto writes that Charls the eighth King of France when a hundred and 14. yeers since he drove out the Spanish and for some time Lorded over Naples caused an Asse to be driven in who suddenly whirled about and dyed Another who two hundred yeers since wrote of these baths relates that a foot hardy rash Souldier run in armed and dyed miserably Corona Pighio writes that in the presence of Charls Prince of Cleves the Spanish Captains cast two cheerfull dogs by force into the Grotta who strove all possible to avoid it as if they had formerly experimented the danger the which being taken out dead by means of the refreshing waters in the aforenamed Lake were restored to life one of which being again cast into the cave and being thence drawn cast into the Lake returning not thereby to Life was left for dead on the bank who not long after as waking from a profound sleep raising himself and limping and staggering so soon as possible ran away every one that saw it smiled and Charls praised the dog that he would not for that time become a victime to the beares after this tryal they cast a brands end lighted into the Grotta beyond the prefixed sign which come to the bottom seemed to extinguish and raised up a little higher to rekindle which demonstrated that the spirits proceeding from the superficies as more hot and dry in the bottom consumed the more subtil nutriment of the flame but having lesse vigour at more distance from the foundation they rather rekindle the hot and gross smoke and flames of the brandsend as we see the flame of a lighted candle will pass to another newly put out by means of the so oke and the beams of the Sun when united by a burning glass are very vigorous and will set tow or flax on fire if approached too near Pighius through his exceeding love to study travialing over Italy and having an extream desire to inquire into the nature of all things by which he might acquire knowledge wondring at the reports of the miracles of Pozzuolo resolved to search out the cause by a nearer scrutiny then had been made by others He could not beleive that those drops that hung so resplendent at the end of the Caverne were quick-silver wherefore being counselled by a certain juvenile and youthfull audacity he passed the proposed measure in the Cavern having enclined his body a little and getting somewhat nearer he found they were drops of clear water and taking them on his finger from the sharp pendent of the rock he demonstrated the truth to his companions requiring them either to beleive or enter and make proof Which also happened for that Antonio Anistelo and Arnoldio Niveldio two Holandesi noble youths and companions in the journey with Pighius got near who when he had for some time stood in the Cave and perceived the heat how it ascended from his feet to his leggs and knees yet underwent no other then a giddiness and pain in his head and sweat only on the forehead and the temples through the heat of the place he learnt by experience that that heat and those nocive vapours are not lusty and violent but when near their rise and there they kill small animals or great but chiefly the four footed because they alwayes go with their head downwards whereby being necessitated to draw in with their breath those hot and boyling vapours their vital spirits become suddenly suffocated with too much heat the which also are as suddenly releived by the imediate refreshment of the waters in the Lake if the animal be forthwith cast therein when drawn out of the Cavern Whilst Pighius was performing this an Italian who guarded some herds wondred strangely at his temerity and remained astonisht at the success many times demanding if he did it not by the magick art nor would he be perswaded that Pighius could avoyd the nocivenesse of that Grotta
Annals sets forth who writes that his father was a man appertaining to the Censor whence t is impssioble but L. Pisone must have been his Father of whom the eloquent tongue of Cicero speaks so much ill as that he was banished whilst he was Consul He was then Censor in the seuen hundred fifty and third yeer whilst Caesar Dictator warred against the confederates of Pompey Among all the greatest charges and employments which the Calphurnian family participated they only twice administred the Censorship The first time L. Pisone Frugi was Censor after the Consulacy in the 695 yeer of Rome who being Tribune of the People prevailed for that Law against the rapine of the Provincial Magistrates and the second time fifty eight yeers after This Temple is so well built that in the space of so many ages neither Time the consumer of all things nor the insolencies of enemies who have many times destroyed the rest of the City have been able to ruinate which could not come otherwise to passe theâ—… from the beams being composed of marble in which scarce a fastning appears yet the impetuous force of the earthquakes have in part moved it out of order in such sort that the right angle of the Frontispiece is faln with a part of the Title where certain ruptures appear Of such esteem was this Fabrick that the architectors were not ashamed the work being finished to place their name there being Luccio Cocino Liberta of Luca and Caio Postumi as we read in the left wall of the Church in these words L. Cocceius C. Postumi L. Auctus Architect Many other holy sacred places that were therein are either faln to nothing or at least wise very badly handled The Temple of Neptune as Cicero affirms was the most famous of which some great Fragments to this day remain near San Francesco as vaults arches huge wals other places with their nooks for the statues but its columns and high ornaments of marble are taken away Also near the Amphitheatre are the footsteps ruines of a Temple which Antonius Pius Augustus had erected to Adrian the Emperor his Father who dyed at Baia in the Mannor house of Cicero as Spartianus relates Some yeers last past many fair statues and vast peices of Columnes and Marbles were amoved together with the Elogies of Nerva Trajan and Adrian the Emperors that is to say of the Father Grandfather and great Grand-Father to whom Antonius having created them Gods had 〈◊〉 sacerdotal sacrifices of the Flamins and their companions and hence some believe he obtained the surname of Pius the Pious as we are instructed from the aforesaid Spartianus and by Julius Capitolinus The Temple of the NYMPHES extant on the Sea Shore without POZZVOLO IT seems very likely that either the Sea or Earthquakes have swallowed up the temple of the Nymphs the which we read in the 8th Book of Philostratus Cennius in the life of Apo lonius Tianeus Domitianus the Emperour built on the sea shore without Pozzuolo he writes that t was built with white stone and that of old t was famous for divination and that in it was found a fountain of running spring water from the which though any quantity were taken away t was never perceived to diminish but this with â—…nfinite other antiquities is now gone to nothing yet now is evident at a little distance from the Land near the Via Campana in the Sea a fountain of sweet water which gurgles to this day with great force whose source may be alwaies perceived almost to admiration if the Sea be quiet and calm let the studious of antiquity consider if in this place the Temple of the Nymphes may have been which conjecture will not seem far from truth upon weighing the words of Philostratus who relates that Apolloneus Trineus appeared to his two Dâ—…sciples Damides and Demetrius was in the Temple of the Nymphes on the Sea shore without Pozzuolo who were disputing the nature of the abovenamed fountain where also is the Island of Calissus to whom the successes of what happened with Ulisses they relate in the fables Furthermore as t were in the midst of the Colony remains yet a most huge Amphitheatre little lesse then entire composed of squared stones the which not withstanding its ill treatment by earthquakes the taking away many of its stones and the plowing of its soyl yet appears in its first form enlarged into a more lâ—…rge circuit then was usual for the Emperors Leandro Alberto saies that by measuring he found it to be in length in the plain within 172 foot in bredth only 92. foot Ferrante Loffredo Marques of Trevico affirms this the most antient Amphitheatre supposing it to be built before Rome lost its liberty under the Emperours from an old inscription in marble there found demonstrating under what Consuls this Fabrick was repaired at the publick expence of the Citizens of Pozzuolo which inscription although much sought for by me I had not the good hap to see Many fragments of Acqueducts are yet to be seen which either passed through or surounded the Mountains nor is it an easy matter to number the conserves for the waters made in divers formes some entire and some ruinated by earthquakes many of which are under ground and very large which who enters without a clue of thread a light or a well practised guide may dwell there for ever so intricate are the labyrinths built without gates heads or turning streets from which we may assuredly know that the Romans with vast expence thither drew and therein preserved great plenty of those sweet waters abounding on that Maritimate coast The vulgar unskilled in old history as in all things very ignorant have most injuriously expressed themselves in giving ridiculous names to these edifices calling them Piscine mirabili wonderfull fishpools Cento Celle the hundred Cells and Grotte Draconarie Dragons Caves Soe also have they handled the fountains and baths in number forty or more between Pozzuolo Misseno and Cuma of divers sorts and efficacious for sundry diseases But t is not our purpose to look back and take notice by one and one of these things having already set forth whatever is there rare and worthy view we shall therefore referre such as desire more ample and compleat satisfaction in the like objects to Leandro Alberto and the other writers herein before mentioned The description of the Antient Port of POZZUOLO SUch and so great wonders as here by degrees present themselves to the view of the Traveller as he approaches the Sea side may well entertain him for like mountains in the waters rise the immense moles of the old Port that is thirteen immense Piles which spring out of the water like square Towers which in old time were conjoyned in manner of a bridge by frequent arches but now by fortune and antiquity those gross engines are separated and the falling down of some of the Arches renders it unpassable from one to the other which
stagne or Moore about a thousand paces distant from the allodgment of the Armada And therefore the neighbouring precincts as also the Miseno began to be accommodated for the Souldiers stations for that the Fleet there was wont to winter and both Strabo and Servius the Commentators upon Virgil report that the wood and Trees on Averno were cut down because they through their thicknesse rendred the air offensive and prejudicial to the health of the Inhabitants furthermore hills were boared thorough and leuel waies layed to the end there might be a short and facile accesse to the shores of Baia and Lucrino And that fresh water might never be defective with infinite expence and no lesse labour Rivolets from Rivers and fountains from springs were conveyed thither from a far off cisterns and conservatories were built vast enough in divers figures as the conveniency of the place afforded both in the plain and under the ground and in the very bowels of the hil that so cold water might be at all times ready for refreshing the bodies in the excessive heat of the Summer t is for these reasons that we find the Miseno in great part hollow and concave within and exposed to the air to the very top In which we see sitting places for washing baths lakes and tables for eating being within full of grotts waies and edifices arched here and there sustained by frequent pillars part built with brick part cut out of the same rock among which edifices the biggest conservatory of the waters called vulgarly Grotta Dragonacia is admi rable as are the conveyances into it for the rain waters descending from the Promontory the which Grotta is capable of many thousand butts being large beyond measure and twnety five foot deep the largness not being to be measured for that the vaults and ruines fallen into it have filled many parts of it all these conservatories are incrusted or plaistered with a certain hard composition used by the antients for rendring them tenable of the waters so that none could pass nor soak thorough the inward space between the walls is two hundred foot long and eighteen broad having four doors through which is entrance into four great chambers near these are other conserves different in artifice and grandeur That which vulgarly they call Cento Camere from the multitude of abodes by some thought to be Nerva's prison where among the other Fabricks they preserved their waters is wonderful for the vastnesse and art wherewith t is built its walls within are conjâ—…ined within in squares and support the vaults forming every where square chambers which on all sides have small doors by which may go from one to the other the servants whose office t was when the waters were spent to cleanse them of the dirt and soyle the vaults of these chambers have certain open holes whereby the waters might be drawn up as occasion required The Piscina Mirabili or Pool for water was admirable and famous and known by this name the which is yet almost entire on the back of the Promontory of Miseno toward the Port for the Navy and Cuma This Fabrick Leandrus Albertus affirms is inclosed by four walls is five hundred foot long and two hundred and twenty broad and the Vault somewhat higher raising a little archwise from the walls it riseth higher towards the middle being supported upon forty eight columns each of which is three foot square which being disposed into four ranks represent a beautifull and proportionable object for the whole length The whole Fabrick is composed of brick and the walls being of a great thicknesse render it of an extream firmnesse both the Walls and Pillars with in are exactly incrusted as useful to keep them from leaking and in the arch are many open ovals for drawing up the waters at each end were forty steps for descent to the very bottome The Pavement on the sides is higher even to the midst of the Porticue whence was a descent by fiue steps into a lesser chamber on each side and thence was a descent into another very narrow inclosed place into which t is supposed the waters purged their filth and uncleannesse the which was afterwards exhaled by the publique officers for this purpose called Castellarij from these conservatories of waters being denominated Castella in Latine All the Pavement is Terras beaten with all art and diligence so that to this day it holds the rain water like a dish in the lowest part of it Many variously conjecture who should be the first builders of so vast Fabricks some whereof suppose L. Licinius Luâ—…ullus to have been the first Author and that this was built out of the ruines of the said Lucullus his Villa which Plutarch and Varro write he built most proud in the Tract of Baia neare the Promontory of Misenus with whom agree Suetonius and Cornelius Tacitus who write that Tiberâ—…us the Emperor dyed in the same Villa whence hindred by the storms at Sea being sick he could not sayle over to the Island Caprea Others think this was the Fabrick of Nero and thence t is to this day called Peschiera di Nerone and Suetonius writes that he began a Peschery extending from Baia to Avernus covered and shut in by porticues But this conjecture pleaseth not me much nor any other who hath diligently seen those places who know the use of the like Fabricks to have been meerly for conserving of waters and for that these three Fabricks afore described lye so contiguous one to the other it may not be far from the purpose to imagine that 〈◊〉 and the Princes his successors built them for the use of the â—…leet since it is assuredly known the Souldiers thereof there continually lodged and wintred some vast fragments of their military lodges yet being extant and I remember that I copied out some Epitaphs of the Souldiers of the Armada from the near sepulchres wherein are placed the names of the Pretorian ships as Fede Isede Gallo wherein they had served whereof some brief ones for delight of the studious of antiquity hereunder follow D. M. Ti Porroniceletis Nat. Alex. Ex. III. Isidevix Ann. XL. Mil. am XIIII Titi. Us. Aquilibus Epidius Parisi III. Isid. H. A. M. fecerunt D. M. C. Senio Severo Manipulato ex III. Fide Natione Bessus Vixit annos XLVI Emilius dolens Erei E. M. Fecit D. M. C. Julio Quarto Ver Ex. Pr. N. Gallo M. Cecilius Felix S. Inâ—…ia Heraclia S. S. These had the captainship of the Fleet who constantly resided there as was Anicetus the libertine of Nero who was first his Master by means of whose frauds these there slew near the Bauli Agrippina his Mother In such a command though different from this was Pliny the writer of the natural history in the time of Vespasian at Misenus and there governed the Armada and Navy at the eruption and burning of the Vesuvius being with it shaken by the earthquake but approaching too near with his ships to
Pelestrina named Suffucius by frequent advices and menaces which he had in his dreams was commanded to break out of a certain place a great flint stone wherat all the other Citizens his Compatriots fell a laughing but when the stone was broke the Lots or Chaunces suddenly leaped forth engraven in antient Letters which occasioned their honouring of Fortune in that place and thence became the place by little and little enclosed and shut up through respect of the Image of Jupiter there devoutly adored by the Matrons in form of a boy childe sitting with Juno in the lap of Fortune in a posture as seeking out the breast and teat and that at the same time after the Temple of Fortune was built there dropped honey from an olive tree wherewith by commandement of the Southsayers was made a chest and therein those Lotts were reposed the which were mingled and drawn out by a litle boyes hand when ever they would see the issue of any thing as Fortune had at large directed her intention to be that after this manner they should draw out the Lots This observation was most antient and such as affirm L. Sylla to be the builder of this Temple deceive themselves Which errour they took up from their reading the thirty sixth book of Pliny who doth not say L. Sylla built that Temple but that he began to make its pavement with small stones of various colours in small figures of which pavement thus wrought some yeers since certain parts were found under ground and therein figured many forrein creatures with their names in greek It may then be rationally believed that L. Sylla being victorious in the civil warrs after he had enforced C. Marius the younger to dye and his other enemies who had saved themselves in Preneste after a long siege took the City killing some part and selling others of the Citizens but repenting afterwards his impietie expressed against the sacred places for expiation of that crime he resolved to restore and embellish anew the Temple profaned and almost wholly destroyed by him It seems a notable advise and observation to me that the strength of the scite of this City hath occasioned its own destruction which hath had a much contrary event in all other strong holds The cause whereof is attributed to the assured confidence of the strength of the place for which cause in the civil warrs the weaker part ordinarily fled thither for safety but their enemies being stronger and more potent immediately layed siege to it so that at the end if they surrendred not themselves the besiegers ruined the poor City whence we read that in the following times of civil discord the Pelestrini that they might not undergoe so great misery as formerly they had done abandoned their City and retired to their dwellings To this day appear there many subterranean waies from the Castle to the foot of the adjacent mountains besides the Caves used as conservatories for water which were made for introducing of assistance or to fly the City occultly into one of which C. Marius the younger having withdrawn himself and perceiving himself to be beseiged on all sides so that he could not fly that he might not living fall into the hands of his enemies agreed with Telesinus to run one against the other with their naked swords so to kill themselves by which means Telesinus was slain but Mvrius remained alive thorugh desperatly wounded and soon after caused one of his Seâ—vants to make an end of his then begun death by killing him From which successes the Inhabitants of the place believe the stones of those subterranean waies to be still reddish with the bloud spilt there which yet is not so for over all those hills are stones red by nature and not through any accident of blood spilt thereon Preneste was first a free City and confederate with the Romans having its own Praetor as Livy and Festus declare calling her Municipal Appianus saies that the Prenestini at the time of the Italian war were made Citizens of Rome with the â—iburtini but some time after L. Sylla victorious as Cicero speaks in Catalines conspiracy having emptied this City by slaughters and banishments and deprived her of inhabitants by the many expulsions slaughters and banishments he made of them there remained so few inhabitants that he sent of the Romans to dwell there dividing its Territory among the new comers and thus made it a Roman Colony Aulus Gellius saies in the third Chapter of his 16. book that afterwards the Prenestini obtained of Tiberius Augustus a restoration to their first state that is into the condition of free Citizens having the form of a Colony wholly amoved from their City TIVOLI WHen arrived at Tivoli first go see those gardens which Hippolitus Estense Cardinal of Ferrara planted with so much cost many yeers since upon the back of the mountain together with a proud Pallace which also is beautifyed with old statues Pictures and royal houshold stuffe even to the emulation of the greatness and magnificence of the Antients But who is able with sufficiency ever to display in words the exquisite delights costs pleasure wherewith this place and palace is plentifully furnished and who shall relate the Labyrinths the Groves the half circles the triumphant Arches the Arches laden with old statues the Caverns of the Nymphs and the innumerable fountains which every where sprout forth waters the close walkes and beautifull arbours covered with trees herbs and tender branches and other like verts Ubertus Folieta of Genoua heretofore described it most gratiously But Corona Pighio cannot satiate himself with praising of it who published descriptions of that Palace and the gardens in Rome stamped from brasse cuts the view whereof in my opinion may draw as many persons to behold it as Rome doth with all its wonders Although we have scarce courage enough yet conformable to that published Table will we cursorily describe it for satisfaction of such as have not had the good fortune to see them or at least their draught in picture First then the Hill is levelled at top and upon the plain thereon is erected the Palace built of square stones with the grandure and magnificence of a Royal palace and with exquisite art and proportion On the right hand whereof lie enclosed gardens called Secreti and therein sixteen great marble Goblets emit clear waters in the midst whereof sits a Janus Quadrifrons with four faces higher raised then those goblets which makes four other fountains adorned like looking glasses and on the right hand a Tennis Court and other sumptuous places for exercise The forefront hath between the windows many old statues of Marble as hath the first Porticue from which lead two fair stone staire-cases up into the palaces Before this Porticue in the midst of a Piazza stands a Leda which Leda was wife of Tyndarus King of Laconia with whom as Poets feign Jupiter accompanying she brought forth two eggs of the one whereof came
Sublaco which Lakes Tacitus seems to call Simbrivini saying in the 14th Book of his Annals that near them stood the Villa Sublacense of Nero in the confines of Tivoli from which Lakes the Aniene running afterward through woods and mountains falls at last in the plain near Tivoli from high stones with fury and noise then it goes some space under ground and at the foot of the mountain returns all again above ground it runs through the three sulphurious veins called Albule from their white colour T is said and Strabo confirms the water there to be medicinal in drinking or Bathing and Pliny writes that they heal the wounded Nor does the Albule only but also the Albunea above Tivoli consolidate wounds Regarding the Campania of Tivoli about the Aniene you will find huge stones encreased by little and little in long time by vertue of the waters running by and in the bottome of Lakes there you 'l find of hard stones generated by the same means In this confine are many footsteps of old edifices worthy contemplation Tivoli having been a most noble City and well Inhabited through the beauty of its scite the goodnesse of its soyle and the salubrity of the aire which made it be surrounded with the fair Villa's and Lordly houses of the rich persons of that Country although now like Rome and all Italy also it lies waste and ruinated by the various warrs and successes which have destroyed it T is certain that Greeks were the builders of this City but who they were is not certain the writers of the Italian antiquities not agreeing herein yet the greater part say that Catillo was its founder who some say was of Arcadia and Captain of Evanders Navy Others affirm Argivâ—…s the son of Amfiardo the Southsayer after the prodigious death of his Father near Thebes came by command of the oracle with his family and Gods long before the Trojane warr into Italy and by the assistance of the Enotri Aborigeni drove the Sicâ—…li out of that place naming the Castle taken from them Tibâ—…re from his eldest sons name Nor does Pliny much disagree from this though he does not wholly agree with it for in the 16th of his natural History writing of the ages of Trees he saies that in his time there stood 3 Holme Trees by Tivoli near to which Tiburtio the builder of that Castle had received augure to build it But saies he was the Nephew not the Son of Amfiardo and that he came with his two Brothers Lora and Catillo one age before the Trojane warr and that he there caused the Castle to be built calling it after his own name because he was the elder in which opinion Virgil in his AEneides seems to concur but Horatiâ—…s on the other part calls Tivoli the walls of Catillus pursuing the others opinion from which expressions we conjecture that the City Tivoli was before Rome Those of Tivoli held Hercules in reverence above the other idols as Protector of the Graecian people at whose festivity infinite people resorted thither In it was also a Temple for the Sorti lotts or chances no lesse famous for their oracles then that in Bura or in Achaia a countrey of Morea mentioned by Pausanias whence the Poet Statius saies that such was the beauty of the place that even the Sorti Prenestini would have chosen it for giving their answers had not Hercules first possessed the place Thâ—…se are his words Quod que in templa dâ—…rent alias Tyrinthia sortes Et Prenestinae poterant migrare sorores He calls the Sorti Sisters for that good and bad Fortune were reverenced as two Sisters T is thought that Temple under the mountain in the way of Tivoli was that famous Temple of Hercules but this people had another Temple dedicate to the same God yet called Hercules Saxanus as appears by the subsequent inscription found in a Piazza attaqued to a particular house Herculi Saxano sacrum Ser. Sulpicius Trophimus AEdem Zothecam Culinam Pecunia sua a Solo Restituit Eidem Dieavit K. Decemb. L. Tupilio Dextro M. Maccio Rufo Cos. Euthycus Ser. Peragendum Curavit But we cannot conclude with certainty where this other Temple stood yet many agree that t was called Hercules Saxanus in respect t was built with stone differing from the other greater Temple just as the Milanesi called one Hercules in Pietra from the scituation of that Church in a stony place near them Upon the stone ariseth a certain antient round Fabrick without covering built wiâ—…h marble in rare architecture of much esteem which possibly might be the Temple of Hercules Saxanus t is near the Cataracts which augments this suspicion for that the Antients usually placed their Temples consecrate to Hercules near waters long ports and violent falls of waters to the end that Hercules by them esteemed the Protector of the firm Land might cause the water to continue in its limits and not infest the country with inundations the which Statius clearly shewsin the 11th Book of woods speaking of the Villa 〈◊〉 of his Pollius which stood on the sea shore near a port with a Temple of Hercules and another of Neptune neare it whose verses now take Ante domum tumidae moderator caerulus undae Excubat innocui custos laris Hujus amico Spumant Templa salo foelicia jura tuetur Alcides gaudet gemino sub nomine portus Hic servat terras hic saevis fluctibus obstat He feigns also in his third book that Hercules having layed aside his arms laboured much in preparing the foundations of his Temple in that place and with great strength prepaâ—…ed the instruments for digging the earth for thus the Pagans or Gentiles beleived viz that Hercules during his life went through the world operating for the publick good of Mankind what ever was difficult or laborious to be effected as not only in the taming and killing of Monsters â—…emoving Tyrants reducing unjust Lords to the terms and conditions of Justice and chastising the bad and evil ones But also in building of Castles and Cities in desert places ports and securities for shipping on dangerous shores reducing bad and irksome waies into good changing the chanels of damnifying Rivers breaking the course of the waters where requisite for preservatioÌ„ of the firm Land setling peace between disagreeing nations with just Laws opening the method way of dealing and negotiating between people far eloigned from one another and insum reducing into a state of civility such as were wilde and fierce wherefore they built him Temples created him a God and devoutly honoured him giving him several surnames according to the diversity of the places where they adored him or the quality of the benefits which the people held they received from him or according to some great work which they supposed he had done Whence the western parts of the world had Hercules Gaditani when on the north side of the straight called of old Fretum Herculeum was Mount Calpe on the South
Mount Abila on which Hercules placed his so memorable pillars with the inscription Nil ultra because that was then conceived to be the most western bound of the world But Charles the 5th after the discovery of America coming that way caused Plus ultra to be engraven either on the same Pillars or on new erected in their places The Batani called him Monaco The Genovesi Banlio Those of the Terra di Lavoro Surrentino and they of Tivoli called him Tivolesse and Saxanus The Tivolesi were such Friends to Hercules that they called their City Herculea as if the whole were especially consecrated to him and in the palace of Tivoli they honored Hercules just as Jupiter was honored in the Campi doglio at Rome and the heads or chief of the publick Council and of the Priests were called in Tivoli Hercoleani being of great dignity a thing clearly demonstrable by certain inscrip tions and Epitaphs extant in antient marbles whereof ensue some for the service and advantage of the studious in antiquity In the Church of S. VICENZO in TIVOLI Herculi Tiburt Vict. Et. Cereris dis Praet Tiburt L. Minicius Natalis Cos Augur Leg. aug Pr. Pr. Provinciae Moesiae Infer Votis Susc In the ascent of the mountain in a Fragment on the way G. Sestilius V. V. Tiburtium Lib. Ephebus Herculanius Augustalis In the great Church C. Albius Livillae L. Thymelus Herc. Augustalis The tenth Sybil named by the Latines Tibuclina and Albunea by the Graecians Leucothea was held in great honour in Tivoli in old time for they adored her as a Goddess consecrating to her a wood a Temple and a Fountain called after her own name Albunea from the whitenesse of its waters above Tivoli in that mountain where Fame saies she was born and gave answers to demandants of whom Virgil speaks and Servius his Commentator as also Horace with his Interpreters T is reported that the Romans going about to deifie Augustus Caesar demanded advise of this Sybil who after three daies fast standing before the Altar where the Emperor himself was then present after many hidden words miraculoâ—…sly spoken concerning Christ upon the suddain Heaven opened and Caesar saw a beautifull Virgin standing before the Altar who held as lovely an infant in her arms at which apparition Caesar affrighted fell on his face and a voice as from Heaven was heard saying this is the Altar of the Son of God In which place was after built a Temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary called Ara Caeli the Altar of heaven This Policronion affirms and for the truth thereof cites S. Augustine lib 18. cap. 24. She Prophesied of the coming of Christ after the recital of the sea ven wonders of the world to this purpose What at these trifles stands the world amazed And hath on them with admiration gazed Then wonder When the troubled world t' appease He shall descend who made them that made these These things being seen march towards Rome and leaving the Road a little on the left hand bestow a view on the Elia Tiburtina which was the Villa of Hadrianus the Emperor seated on a little hill which now at present shews the countenance of a great ruinated City the footsteps of so vast edifices stupifie the beholders hardly dispensing with any beliefe that it could ever have been but one single Villa or princely seat There may yet be found the ruines of many Palaces Houses Temples Porticues Acqueductâ—… Bathing houses hot baths Theaters Amphitheaters and in sum of all other kind of Fabricks whatsoever imaginable for supream delights and pleasures Among the rest you 'l finde a very high wall drawn long-waies against the South two stades in length which Wall hath alwaies on the one side the shade and on the other the Sun so that t is most comodious for walking by or for any other exercise either in the shade or in the Sun according to the necessity or humour of the person at all times The vast ruines of this Villa speak not alone the immense charge Hadrianus was at in building the same but Spartianus also declares it in the life of Adrian saying that he in that his Villa caused draughts or as we may better say the similitudes of the most celebrious places of the world to be made causing them afterwards to be called after the proper names of the imitated places as among others the Licenm Aristotles School in Athens the Academy of Cicero the Prytaneum or counsel house of Athens the Temple of Thessalia a place wonderfully pleasant having trees and meadowes marvellously delectable wherein birds of divers kinds sing continually with excellent melody the Canopus of Egypt a place wherein the God of that name was worshipped and the like Fabricks made and nominated in imitation of the true He further saies that he there caused to be erected the place or representation of hell all which things were undoubtedly accomodated and adorned with all conveniences and endowments so that one might well comprehend at the first view that which in it self comprehended every one that is Pictures Statues Figures Inscriptions pourtrayes of men wherewith every of those places were illustrated either with some notable writing or heroick action Which ornaments are all ruinated and dispersed part by the rage of warr and part by the incivility of the barbarous people invading Italy who there shewed not the least respect Not long since in the fields of Tivoli were found many figures and statues taken without doubt from this Villa and applied to divers fabricks in the adjacent Countrey many also have been found among the ruines of the said Villa under ground and among others some carcases of men with their names in greek letters as of Themistocles Miltiades Isocrates Heraclitus Carneaâ—…les Aristogiton an orator of Athens who for his lewd behaviour was câ—…lled Dog with others whose tronks or bodies possibly and credibly Pope Julius the third caused to be got together and conveighed to Româ—… for beautifying his gardens being advised of this their accidental coming to hand by Marcellus Cervinus Cardinal of Santa Croce a Lover of the studious the which his Sainctety afterwards put in good order with great expence in the Via Flaminia on the this side the Ponte Milvio Being freed from the ruines of the Villa Elia you travel to Rome by the Via Tiburtina along which appear some antiquities worthy observation and among others on the Banks of the River Aniene is a great 〈◊〉 a grand Fabrick erected for the Scpulehre of the Family of the Plaâ—…i Silvâ—…ni both noble and antient and framed of large square marble stones near the bridge which conjoines on the one and other side of the River the antient Road and is vulgarly called the Ponte Lucano the reason of which name is not facilly known but in some speeches t is called Ponte Plaâ—…to and some suppose that way was set out and the bridge likewise built by those noble and triumphant Plauâ—…it whose names we