Atina, Italian comune
Atina is a small town in Frosinone province in Latium that sits on a hill in the Comino valley with the white dolomite Monti Bianchi mountains behind it. The town is enclosed by massive stone walls, and at its center stand important buildings like Palazzo Cantelmo and the church of Santa Maria Assunta, which reveal layers of Roman heritage and later modifications.
Atina was reportedly founded by Saturn according to legend and later became a Samnite center before being absorbed into Rome, where it was mentioned in Virgil's Aeneid. The town was destroyed by a major earthquake in 1349 and rebuilt shortly after with new walls that still stand today.
The name Atina traces back to ancient mythology and the Saturnians, the legendary founders, and this heritage remains visible in the churches and the veneration of Saint Mark, the patron saint whose feast on October 1st brings the community together.
The town is best explored on foot by walking up and down its narrow, steep streets with the massive stone walls and old churches marking the route. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes as the cobbled streets are uneven and the countryside surrounding the town is easily accessible by foot.
Inside Palazzo Cantelmo, now the town hall, there is a Roman mosaic about 2000 years old that shows the craftsmanship of ancient artisans and is easy to overlook unless you look carefully. This hidden artwork is a fascinating remnant that connects the building to its distant past.
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