ITALY IN ITS ORIGINAL GLORY RUINE and REVIVAL Being an Exact SURVEY Of the Whole GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY Of That FAMOUS COUNTRY With the Adjacent Islands of SICILY MALTA c. And what ever is Remarkable in ROME The Mistress of the WORLD And all those Towns and Territories mentioned in Antient and Modern Authors Translated out of the Originals for General Satisfaction By EDMUND WARCUPP Esquire LONDON Printed by S. Griffin for H. Twyford Tho. Dring and I Place and are to be sold in Vine Court middle Temple at the George in Fleet street and at Furnevals Inne Gate in Holborn 1660. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM Lord LENTHAL My Lord. TO repeat your Lord-ships Tytles and the Merits by which you atchieved them and your just Administration under them requires a larger volume then I here present you nor had you received any other demonstration of my duty till I had payed it in that kind could I believe my self fit for so great an enterprize To contract them into the narrow compass of an Epistle is a diminution I dare not think of since no Reader capable of this treatise can be ignorant of more then I could here tell him should I extend it much beyond the ordinary limits and Posterity can turn over no leaf in the English History during our last twenty years transactions wherein he will not find frequent mention of your Lord-ships name so involved in the principal affaires that no alteration the Island can suffer whil'st inhabited by men can extinguish your memory A change of language in our Nation by foreign Conquest or confusion like that of Babel would for a short time obscure it but retained by all other parts of the knowing world in their memorials of our stupendious changes how soon will the next commerce bring it back again and consecrate your name to the utmost extent of time Amidst these considerations I make humble tender of all I can The Itinerary of Italy translated long after my return thence in those vacant hours which I allowed to diversion without farther intention then to renew that language by a retranslation which occasioned my so close keeping to the Italian names and Idiome and once more to travel that celebrate Countrey in this exact description whither in my earlier years your Lordship addressed me Taking wing therefore from your Lordships Hand and persuit from your direction the Quarry such as it is ought to be your Lordships at the retrive and though perhaps you will not esteem it fit to range in the first course of Books on your Lordships well furnished Table yet it may deserve a share in the second affording a pleasant repast even to those who require a more substantial meal To advance that thought a little and call it Manna such in every mans mouth as he best liked though proper enough to the Countrey where it abounds in great perfection and agreeable to this work where all appetites all tasts may be delighted would perhaps appear arrogance in me who deliver it not pure from the tree on which it falls but as from an Apothecaries shop where it may have received some taint Yet those imperfections your Lordship will pardon and for your Lordships sake this Nation at least in some measure because devoted to you upon the score of publique gratitude as well as the particular obligation of My Lord Your Lordships most affectionate Nephew and most obedient Servant EDMOND WARCUPP A PREFACE TO THE READER YOU have here the Itinerary of Italy a guide to all that travel thither a memorial after their return a just entertainment to the learned a pleasing diversion to those who have not given themselves the trouble of unnecessarie letters whilst with easie Journies they pass through the most celebrate part of the habitable Earth directed by this Treatise to the view or contemplation of all that is excellent in art or nature Such indeed is the scituation of the Country such the nature of the soile such the antient manners of the people as gave them a just Prerogative to the Empire of the world proportioned to their dominion were their actions the great examples of ensuing ages in all that was imitable their wonder and amazement in what exceeds the hope of imitation Of both you have a transitory account so interwoven with the general survay that it is scarce possible a volume of this size can contain more or more worthy remarques of persons places things from the remotest of times to this instant For beside the necessarie instruction in the number of miles conveniences of passage from Town to Town through every part that can recompence the trouble of a journey you find a breif and yet a lively description of their several scituations a repetition of their Historie Government capital Families eminent persons ruined Amphitheaters Arches Bathes old Temples later Churches Palaces of both sorts with their various ornaments what they have bin what they are when and by whom founded ruined or restored Not any thing antient or modern which a man upon the place ought to understand seems omitted nor is there any thing inserted to the unnecessary burthen of his memory no Treatise in the Italian tongue was everso acceptable to strangers none on this subject deserved so well from the natives Whatever therefore the success be in the translation you cannot but commend this Gentlemans choice who after many years return from that pleasing journey intended only a recollection of the language and review of the Countrey without any designe of making his papers publique till assured by his friends they would in all hands meet a favourable reception since the early progress of our English youth and short abode there seldom gives them opportunity to arrive to any perfection in that speech till they are ready for departure nor do many of them long retain it Of those how few are there that prefer not discourses in their own especially on a subject which admits no continued elegancie of stile or contains any thing not easily reducible to another Idiome Such as have traverst the History only will find in every leaf a new delight by the brief recitals of the best Authors enlightned with Chronologie many doubtful passages reduc'd to certainty by the site and distance of the most memorable Cities Fields villages celebrate in Latin Italian stories Those who are hitherto unacquainted with either will here find enough to inform themselves satisfie others that they are not ignorant of any thing worth knowledge in that Country Nay even to them who little regard the History or Geography devotion wil render it acceptable the most important ceremonies of the Roman Church being briefly discours'd and exposed to the different censures of those that read them with scorn or reverence If there are any in the number of Readers who believe themselves unconcerned in all that is hitherto offred there yet remains for them sufficient entertainment in the magnificent buildings
now distant from it 30. miles we may thence conclude they numbred 200000. Souls Martial calls her great and Strabo most great It s situation is very strong by Nature yet the Venetians have made it now accounted impregnable through the many wonderfull Fortifications of Bastions Bulwarks Castles Towers Counterscarpes added by them and the deep and large Dykes kept full by the River Adice It hath one Fort in the Plain Country near the River and two in the Mountains the one named San Felice the other a more modern called San Angelo the which guards the Plain and aptly repels the furious assaults of any Enemies It hath five Gates no less strong then adorned with Sculptures Collumns Statues and other fair Marbles Besides in the City are many things from whence may be gathered That it hath been a most antient and Noble City Under the Castle of San Pietro they yet shew the great foundations of a Theatre with the entire doors of the Scene as also the Signal of that place which was antiently deputed for the Naval Fights in that place where now is the Orchards of the Fathers Dominicans In the Piazza de 〈◊〉 stands the most antique and great Fabrick the Amphitheatre built of square Marble Stones called by the Veronei the Arena The outward wall whereof had four fair Rows of Pillars Arches and Windows composed of four forts of Architecture that is to say one Dorick one Ionick one Corinthian and one mixed with good order being a Structure not less fair than high as may be credited from that little part which yet is a foot The Barbarous who sacked Italy disrobed it of all the Marble Stones and Ornaments of the exteriour circuit even to the foundations wherewith to adorn their other Structures leaving that so Noble work deprived of all its Majesty howbeit from those small reliques remaining one may take a judgement of the grandure and quality of the rest as easily as from the nails may be guessed what creature a Lyon is because the Reason and art of Architecture and circular proportions make it easily comprehended that every one of the said Orders or degrees of the exteriour Wall had seventy two parts or as one would say Arches and as many Pillars and from the void places in the third order which was the Corinthian one may know that there were 144. Statues between the Arches and Pillars Being entred at the Porches which within encompass the whole Fabrick in three orders one would wonder at the great number of Stayrs Steps waies which on every side were used by the Spectators to go in and out without disturbance Who might altogether although a great multitude mount and descend with great facility and no trouble by those numberless ways In the midst is the Arena and t is a noble sight to behold that spatious plain of an Oveal form 34 perches long and 22½ broad environed with 42. Seats which ly gradatiâ—… one above the other still extending to the Top and were capable of 23000. Persons which might sit there commodiously under which Seats are the said Steps and wayes The inward part also was despoiled by the barbarous of all its Marble Seats though at present the Citizens of Verona at their proper expence have restored that and adorned it as formerly and at certain times use to shew to the people Games and huntings after the Antient custom We find not in authentique Histories who founded this Noble Fabrick but Torello Saraino a Venetian and a most learned man endeavours to prove by many arguments that the Theatre and the Arena were built under Caesar Augustus one whereof is that we evidently find in Suetonius Augustus constituted many new Colonies through Italy and fought to enrich and adorn many of the old to which opinion adds saith a certain Chronicle as saies Torello wherein t is written that the Arena was built in the twenty second yeer of the Empire of that Augustus with whom Ciriaco 〈◊〉 disagrees but little who in his Itinerary of Selavonia collects many antiquities of Italy and says that the Arena of Verona called by him the Laberinth was built in the 3â—…th yeer of the Empire of Augustus But Magino the most excellent and celebrious Mathematician writes much otherwise for in his description of the Marquisate of Treeves under Tolemeo fpeaking of Verona he saith that that Amfitheatre which was built by L. V. Flaminius in Anno. 53. After the building of Rome c. But let every one believe hereof as he pleaseth t is sufficient that the Grandezza the magnificencie and nobleness of the work gives to understand that it was erected in the most flourishing days of the Roman Empire the Majesty and greatness whereof it much represents T is known that a little distant thence was the place where the Sword players exercised and to this day are to be seen the footsteps of the Arch Triumphal erected in honour of C. Marius for his victory over the Cimbrians in the Territories of Verona some part of the prospect or Front of the antient Piazza yet remaining shews it to have been of excellent Architecture T is said that there was the Via Emilia the Emilian Way which lead to Rimeni Piacenza Verona and to Aquilegia where appears an Arch of Marble Dedicated to Jupiter who also had a Temple on the Hill the foundations whereof are now extant ruinated by time but adorned with carved Hierogloficks In the Via Emilia were many four squared Arches of Marble three whereof we now behold one of which was built by Vetruvius and shews 't was framed with true rules of Architecture In Verona are many other Signes of Venerable Antiquity as great Ruins of her Houses with many Chambers adorned with figures composed of several pieces of Stones of Temples of Arches Triumphals Palaces Aquiducts Collumns Statues Epitaphs Medals of Gold and Silver Urns and the like which by the firing that Attila King of the Hunns put to it were lost and destroyed the aPvements in some places being thereby become twenty foot under ground This City hath many sumptuous Palaces and among them the Council house or Chamber of Justice is the chief of a square form with 4. Halls and one square low Court wherein there is so much room that they therein do Justice and hold Council at the same time comodiously upon the roof whereof stand exposed to the ayr the Statues of Cornelius Nepos Emilius Marcus old Poets of Pliny the natural Historian and Vetruvius the Architecture and in a very high Arch the Statue of Hieronimo Facastrao all which men graced their Mother Verona by their singular virtues Besides which there are two Palaces for the Governours and many others eminent enough of particular Veronians They praise also the great Bell which is in the high Turret The Piazza frequented by the Merchants the Burrough where they teazlle wash and prâ—…ss Clothes and the Field called Campo Martio where they exercise the Souldiery There are also other Piazzaes
necessaries for humane sustenance they gather sometimes a hundred thousand bushels of Chesnuts and when least 50. thousand It also produceth Men disposed to Letters Arms and Merchandize it stands in the midst of the Apenine Hills being surrounded with them and hath 23. Towns under it More forward is Pentremoli a fayr Town twelve miles further is the strong Fort called la val di Mugello then Bardo and Campiano where the River Taro takes its source and passeth at three miles distance by Borgo Travaling on the Via Emilia from Parma at the foot of the Apenines appears the Town and Castle Chiarâ—…golo whereof the illustrious Family of the Torelli hold the Government then in the plain Country Montechio and San Ilario seated on the banks of the River Lenza over which the Countess Matilda with great expence built a Bridge of burnt Brick then keeping the Emilian Way for 15. miles you arive at Reggio REGGIO THis City is built on the Via Emilia and named Regium Lepidi by Strabo â—…icero Cornelius Tacitus and other writers By whom it was built is not certainly known many contending that Marius Lepidus one of the Triumvirate who divided the Roman Empire was its first sounder others that it was built long before his time but by him made a Colony This City being destroyed by the Goths under Alarico their King Its Citizens were constrayned to abandon it and fly to more secure places till the Longobardi were overcome and driven out of Italy by Charls the Great when the Citizens returning by degrees to their desolate City began to restore it and immure it with a strong Wall It was governed by it self for some time in liberty after the manner of the other Cities of Italy then t was governed by others till it delivered it self into the hands of the Marquess of Este T is a noble City well peopled and abounding with all things although the ayr is not very good It hath fair and large streets with sum ptuous Structures as the magnificent Church of S. Prospero Bishop of this City where his Corps are devoutly kept which hath a plentifull revenue and is adorned with excellent Pictures but particularly with some drawn by Coreggio worthy of eternal memory In the Walls of the Orchard of the R. R. P. P. de servi was lately discovered an Image of the holy Virgin where God doth many favours to such have recourse unto him through her merits The City contains many noble Families as the Canossi Manfredi Fogliani and Sessi who possess great Lordships and Castles Near unto Reggio stand certain Hills who are no less beautifyed with Towns and Villages than delicate Vines and fruit Trees Towards Parma one sees the Castle strengthned by its site where Matilda the Countess preserved Pope Gregory the seventh from the snares of the Emperor Henry the fourth Enemy of the Roman Church who afterwards repenting himself for that his crime from thence went on his naked feet and with his bâ—…re Head in the midst of Winter through Ice and Snow to the said Pope to obtain pardon for his offence whom his Holness courteously received and pardoned a remarkable instance of what power that Dignity heretofore was At this day the most noble Family of Canossa are Masters of this Castle and the others surrounding it from which a little distance stands the Castles and other places of the Signori Monfredo Keeping the way of the Mountains you arrive at the Countrey of Groffignana where stands Castle Novo which hath formerly given birth to many illustrious persons and in our days to Giulio Urbano Doctor and Apostolick Prothonotary who for his excellent doctrine was much esteemed by the Princes and Cardinals of the Court of Rome who after he had long exercised the Office of Vicar General for Cardinal Luiga Cornaro Bishop of Padoua with grear praise in that quality deceased in the yeer 1592. leaving an excellent example to all mortals Whose Brother Urban gave no less splendour to his Country being Captain of the Militia for the Venetians At present lives Filippo Urbano their worthy Nephew a Canon of the Domo or Cathedral Church of Padoua Returning to the Via Emilia you meet the Castle Scandiano honoured with the title of a Marquesate subject to the Signori Tieni noble Vicentines on the left hand lies the Castle Roldo belonging to the Family Sessi a feudatorie of the Emperour Saint Martino Gonzaga and Nuvilara Between Modena and Reggio near the River Lenza stands Correggio a well-governed and honourable Castle and well peopled it was created a City by the Empire and appertains to the most illustrious Family Correggio formerly great in Padova and called Giberto from which heretofore issued a Cardinal at this time Girolamo Bernero of the preaching Order gives great honour to this Country who was assumed to a Cardinalship by Sisto Quinto High Bishop for his incomparable virtue and goodness of Life who continues a prudent lover of the virtuous and a great Zealot for the Christian Religion Then where the River Lecchia cuts in sunder the Emilian way stands the ssrong Castle Rubiera with a well-made Bulwark enviroroned with Hills whence travailing in a large Road you arive at Modena MODENA THis noble City was reduced into a Colony of the Romans together with Parma in the 570th yeer after the building of Rome as Livy and other Historians write who in several places make thereof honourable mention which testifies that in that time it was rich and powerfull and this is also confirmed by the many inscriptions and antient Marbles which are extant up and down the same It was enough illustrated by that notable battel which was fought near it when Hirtio and Pansa were Consuls of Rome the consequence whereof was the Loss of the Senates authority and the peoples liberty for then Mar. Antonius besieged Brutus in this City who by the assistance of C. Octavins Caesar obtained the victory against the said Antonius Afterwards it suffered many ruines from the Barbarous as Saint Ambross mentions that he saw it with the other adjacent Places upon the Via Emilia thrown down and derstoyed It was layed waste by the Goths and Longobards who afterwards being driven out by the Emperor Charls the great and he having established his Son Pipin King of Italy the Sons of the Citizens of Modena assembled themselves together from their secure retirements and took counsel how to rebuild this City which in process of time they effected as is now seen somewhat distant from the antient Modena as Leandro more at large discourseth The City is small of an orbicular form seated in a plain abounding with fruits and delicate Wines The Dukes of Estè Alfonso the second greatly amplified this City and raised fair edifices In the domo they devoutly preserve rhe bones of S. Giminiano its Bishop for whose merits God delivered many possessed with Devils T is full of noble and ingenuous People whence not only many famous Captains Counts and
been under several Lords in Anno 1527. it became a part of the Church Patrimony and so continues Whence you must passe the River Savio in whose Port Caesar Octavianus prepared a great Armada and then to the River Pistatello formerly called Rubicone famous not only for that the Romans made it the bound of two Provinces calling the one towards Rome Italia and the other towards the Alpes Gallia Cisalpina and commanded that no Commander of what quality soever should presume to pass that River towards Rome with armed Souldiers but also for that Iulius Caesar afterwards against the determination of the Senate and people of Rome conducted his Army over that River towards Rome where he first consulted by reason of the dangerous consequence might ensue so rash a Deed and in the end resolved and passed saying Eatur quo Deorum ostenta inimicorum iniquitas vocant Iacta sit alea and upon his demurr there he saw certain Birds fly called Augurii which to his Judgement seemed to invite him to transport those Souldiers he had commanded in France to commence a War against Rome his Mother and Country Travailing from Ravenna to Rimini on one hand lies the Sea and on the other fertile and pleasant Fields the Via Flaminia and Alpes at whose Feet stands the stately City Forli FORLI T Is believed that after Asdrubal was slain by the Roman Consul Livio Salinatore then united with Claudius Nero certain old Souldiers built a Castle and called it Livio in honour of the said Livius the Consul a mile and halfe's distance from where Forli now stands but because in the Via Maestra there was a fair Town wherein they made their Mart for Merchandize and Seat of Judicature for that cause called Foro they say that the Inhabitants of Livio after some time cousidering that t was more comodious to inhabite the said Town than their Castle Livio agreed with the Townes men to cohabite together and accordingly by Common consent with leave of Augustas which was easily obtained through the mediation of Livia his consort and Cornelio Gallo a Liviese they conjoyned those two names Foro and Livio and for brevity called the place Forli which in Latine by the name clearly appears being called forum Livii which union was made in the time that our Lord Christ was being on the Earth and 208. yeers after the first foundation of the Castle Livio Forli is placed between the Rivers Ronco and Montone enjoyes a delicate ayr with a most fertile Country in Wines Oyls Corn and Fruit together with Coriander seed Anniseed Cumin-seed and Woad in great abundance The men of Forli are for the most part gallant beyond measure and retains the martial disposition of their first Founders It was a long time subject to the Romans after them to the Bolonians and because four Bolonians banished out of Bolonia were courteously entertained in Forli the Bolonians raised a great Army against them but in a Battail received such an overthrow by the Forlesi that they never could raise their heads after it whereby the Bolonians power being abated the Forlesi yielded themselves up to the Roman Church from whome afterwards revolting Martin the 4th dismantled it and threw down the Walls consigning it to the Family Monfredi from whom it passed to the Ordelasi who again Walled it round but Sistus the 4th gave it to Giorlamo Biario Savonese whom Caesar Borgia Son of Alexander the 6th expelled and and took it by force of Arms but at last in the time of Giulius the second it again returned to the Church under whom to this day it continnes in peace and fidelity it hath yielded many learned and brave men as Guidon Bonato Rainiero Biondi and others BRITTONORO ABove Forli stands Brittonoro called in Latine Forum Trijarinorum this City is built upon a hill and above it hath a strong Fort fatal to Frederick the second it was a Town but created a City at the instance of Egidius Carrilla a Spanish Cardinal and Legate of Italy who having destroyed Forlimpopoli transferred thence his Episcopal Seat to Brittonoro in Anno 137. it participates a most happy Ayr and rich Country in Olives Figgs Vynes Fruitful Trees and good Waters It hath one place erected intentionally for a prospect where you have a full view of the Adriatick Sea of Dalmatia Croatia Venetia and all Romagna at one instant Barbarossa the Emperor at the instance of Pope Alexander the third being reconciled to the Venetians for this beautiful prospects sake requested Brittonora of the Pope for his habitation but the Pope perpending the constant fidelity of this People to the Sea of Rome prevayled with the Emperor by fair words not to take from the Churches government a place that in all occasions had demonstrated so sincere a Faith to it and so it continued under it till Alexander the 6th consigned it to Caesar Borgio his Son after whom the civil discords had almost destroyed it its Inhabitants being so prone to Arms that they know not how to live in Peace Finally Clement the seaventh consigned it to the Family Pii who yet enjoy it FORIMPOPOLI A Mile and halfe from Brittonoro on the Via Emilia stand Forlimpopoli called in Latine Forum Popilii which is one of the four Fori recorded in Pliny on the Via Emilia T was a City but in the year 700. Vitaliano being Pope Griomaldo King of the Longobardi secretly entred it on the Sabbath day when all the People with the Bishop were at Divine Service and slew all the Males and Females which done he sacked the City and levelled it with the ground It was afterwards renewed by the Forlinesi and again destroyed by Egiddio Carilla the Popes Legate dwelling in Avignone who in the yeer 1370. plowed it and sowed it with salt for its utter extirpation transferâ—…ng the Episcopal Seat to Brittonoro as afore aid twenty yeers after which Sinibaldo Ordelafo Lord of Forli repaired it and built the formidable Castle now there It enjoyes a good ayr fertile Fields and a great Ferry affording ample profit Bofello a most holy man of of stupenduous miracles was its Bishop in the Catalogue of Saints whose holy bones now lye in the Church called Santa Lucia Antonel lo Armuzzo with his Sons Meleagro and Brunoro much honoured this Country who by his Genius and strength from a mean person acquired the dignity of being Captain of the Popes Cavalry SARSINA NEar Forlumpopoli is seated the City Sarsino at the foot of the Appenines whose Citizens furnished 20000. Armed Souldiers in supply to the Romans against the French when they made a most furious eruption over the Alpes into Italy Its ayr is healthfull and Territory abounds with Olivs Vines and other fruitful Trees It continued a long time under Malatesti but when Rimini became subject to the Church Sarsina yeelded with it afterwards Leo the 10th bestowed it on the house of Pii this City gave birth to Vicino Bishop of Liguria a most holy man
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
imaginary Coyn rising and falling at their pleasure The Citizens rich and poor wear a black Cap edged with fur on their heads and are habited commonly with a long black Gown with large sleeves with a kind of skirt to throw over one shoulder and their Collar alwaies open Their Ladies did formerly wear their own or a counterfet hair below the shoulders trimmed with gemms and flowers and mounted in their Chappenes high as a mans legg they walk between two handmaids to distinguish themselves from the Courtezans from whom the State for their free trade extract a great excise yeerly who go covered with a white veil of tiffany But of late yeers they use the French freedome both in habit and conversation much differing from the Italian restriction through their Jealousie We had almost forgot the Island of Zuecca distant from Venice one mile wherein vast Edifices as well for divine worship as for the use of the Citizens with stately Gardens discover themselves among the rest the Church del Redentore or of the Redeemer deserves a place even amongst the fairest of Venice for its splendor and sumptuousness being designed by Palladius the famous Architect and built by order and at the cost of the State by a unanimous Vow which they made in the yeer 1576 when they were infected with an extreme plague Which to denote over one of the Gates of the right side of the said Church we finde it thus written Christo Redemptori Civitate Gravi Pestilentia Liberata Senatus ex voto Here also is shewed some of the Coyns in Silver which were stamped by Duke Luigi Mocenigo in the Seaventh Year of this Republick The Journey from Venice to Milan by the Province of Marca Trivigiana and Lumbardy PADOUA TO goe from Venice to Padoua first they take Boat at Venice and row five Miles upon Sholes in the Gulf of Venice to Lizafusina so called from a Dutch word corrupted At which place the direct course of the River Brent was heretofore by the Lords of Venice artificially locked up to the end that running through those Pools and salt Moors it might not through time and continual running work down the neighbouring Grounds which to prevent there was an Engine erected called La Rota del Carro whereby with excellent Industry the Barkes with all their Lading and Merchandize were drawn up and transposed from out of these Pools or salt Moors into the River and out of the River in like manner into the Pools which at this time is taken away and for supply thereof the water is locked in with four several Flood-gates the first at Strà the second at Dolo the third at Mirà and the last at Moranzan From Lizafusina to Padoua they account four Miles whereby they travel either in Boats which are drawn up against the stream of the River or else by Land On each side of which River throughout appears a large and most fertile Campagna with a rich soyl embellished with stately and most sumptuous Palaces and lovely Gardens and no lesse beautified with the continual travelling of all sorts of People to and fro First they arrive at the Country of Oriago called in Latin Or a lacus because to this place extend the Moorish Grounds or sholes thence at Dolo and then at Strà Upon the left Hand stands the great Town of Gambarare so infinitely populous that t is almost incredible In the end they attain at Padoua PADOUA the Learned The ancient City of Padoua is seated in the Province belonging to Venice called Marca Trivigiana in the midst of a spacious Plain having the Sea at Twenty Miles distance on the East and South parts thereof Towards the West a large champion Country And towards the North the Mountains Euganei It is of a triangular form invironed with double Walls and very deep Ditches The Venetians have fortified it very much by the immense Walls and Bulwarks built by them according to the modern way of Discipline and Judgement in Warr. We need not produce Testimony from antient Writers to prove the Antiquity of this City nor that it was founded by Antenor Brother of Priam King of Troy and that it was denominated heretofore Pado either from Pò or Patavio of Paphlagonia because these things are notorious to all As also that Padoua was Head of the Province of Venice now Marca Trivigiana or Marquisate of Treves and that it was ever Friend and allied to Rome without any kind of subjection being extremely beloved and estemed not lesse for their Alliance or Parentage having their joynt Original from the Famous Troy than for the many services and kindnesse received from it Nor find we in any Author That Padoua was either subjugated overcome or molested by the Romans but that it alwayes stood free from the Roman Yoke and that it aided the Republick on many occasions And particularly at that time when Rome was taken by the Galli Sireni in the Warr against the Umbri Boi the Cimbri and at several other times So that it well merited and obtained the Franchise and Liberty of Citizens and Comunalty of Rome and to be inscribed in the Fabian Tribe of Rome without sending thither new Inhabitants or making it a Colony from whence the Padouans derived equal voice both Active and Passive and participated all the highest degrees of that great Sate And therefore we read in the Histories of Rome and in those of Padoua That many Padouan Houses transferred themselves to Rome as many Roman Houses to avoid the Civil dissentions translated themselves to Padoua We may then conclude it to be no great wonder that we find in so many ancient Writers and upon so many Marble Stones the Remembrance of so many Citizens of Padoua that were Roman Consuls as Quinto Attio Capitone Sesto Papinio Alenio L. Arontio Primo L. Stella Poeta L. Arontio Aquila Giulio Lupo L. Giulio Paulo the Expounder of the Law L. Ascanio Pediano Trasea Peto C. Cecinna Peto Pub. Quartio and some others Another Peto was designed Consul and Peto Honorato was Corrector of Italy so also many were Ediles Praetors Tribunes Censors Priests and chief Bushops It was then so great and powerful that they used to muster five Hundred Cavaliers or Horsemen And Strabo writes that they commonly sent to the wars one Hundred and twenty Thousand Foot Souldiers It maintained it self ever glorious and invincible until the Barbarous Nations made themselvs to be felt in Italy for at the time of the Roman Empires declination Padoua also indured the smart being by the most Potent Attila the Rod of God wholly ruinated and cast down even to the very Foundations And though after that it was restored by Narsete yet was it another time destroyed by the Longobardi But afterwards under Charles the Great and his Successors it began to fill it self and to take some small restoration This City was governed at first by Consuls and after with a Podestà or Provost at such time as it
the World and singular sculptures than with collections of Brass Figures Marbles Medals and other exquisite things both natural and artificial which with the said Palace are now possessed by Signor Gasparo Mantoua Doctor of Physick and Nephew of the abovenamed Marco Luigi Coradino Doctor of Philosophy and of the Laws heretofore Reader of the Digests or Volums of the Civil Law in the University a man of a most quick wit and polite Learning an excellent disputant and particularly conversant in antiquities made a noble collection of Books Pictures Sculptures Medals antique Brass and Marble Tablets and other rarities which for the most part are enjoyed by the Signor Andrea his Son Doctor of Philosophy and Physick and Reader in the College a Virtuoso who conserves them in their Antient House in the Street called Torecelle Gio Domenico Sala Doctor of Philosophy and Physick most renowned for having been so many yeers Reader in the University and for having exercised his Profession of Physick with a known reputation In his Palace which stands in the Street called San Lorenzo hath set up a Study replenished with Books Pictures Marbles Brass pieces Medals and other pretious rarities and in particular he hath there a large and neat Press with shelves all made with Walnut Tree filled with Vessels of Christal with all the simple minerals and other rare and exquisite things which were collected by the Signor Conte Giacomo Zabarella Doctor Reader of the College and Canon of Padoua after whose death coming to the hands of Signor Bonifacio Zabarella his Brother they were by him given to the above-named Signor Gio Domenico in testimony of being his great Friend and Ally as a gift of most singular estimation Benedetto Salvatico Knight a Philosopher and Physician and chief Reader of the University a most signal person no less for his Reading than eminency in Physick hath restored near the Domo or chief Church his Palace making there a most stately Gallery gardens with Fountains Voleries and a thousand other excellencies besides his books and Pictures The Signor Conte Giacomo Zabaralla Count of Credazza and of the Empire a most renowned and vituous Person hath so much laboured in the study of History and Antiquities that meritoriously by the Learâ—…edst Pens he is styled the Restorer of Antiquity and renewer of things devouted by time being as well read in the Genealogie of Princes and other Illustrious Families a work as may be said without compare Besides that he hath found out the Invention to blason Coaâ—…s of Gentility to a great perfection with the right Linage and the equal compartments The works composed by him give a sufficient assurance that a high value is justly put upon him whereof are extant the Genealogie of Antenore Agamemnon Trasea Peto Orontio Stella Brandeburgica Polonica Auraica and the Universal Genalogie of those Princes and of many Illustrious Families the relation of so many Originals of Gentility the Histories of Conterina Cornera Zena Quirina Bemba Michiela and other his histories of the City and Families of Padoua the glories of Venice with many discourses Orations Elogies and other workes much esteemed by the Learned He hath in the Street called Coda the whole length of his Palace erected a most noble Library wherein besides that there are great Quantities of Books of Histories of Humanity and other Learning all most choice so also are there a good number of Manuscripts in Paper and Parchment whereof many are set in gold with exquisite Limning in Vermillion many whereof were never printed whose very Originals he is Master of Moreover he hath the Chronicles of Padoua as well those that are in print as in manuscript as also many of Venice and other Cities And besides these in a Press of Nut-Tree of a notable Largeness and Workmanship he hath collected many Marbles Brass pieces and other things natural and Artificial Antient and Modern of great value as also a quantity of antient Medals and of the later Princes both of Gold and Silver and other Metals which are of a sufficient valew besides many rare Pictures by the hand of the chief Men of the past Ages and the authentique pourtraies of Francesco Cardinal Bartolomeo Paulo Archbishops Orlando and Lorenzo Bishops all of the house of Zabarella and likewise of the Counts Giaccomo the elder Giulio and Giacomo the Philosopher and of other eminent men of his house He also preserves the great privileges granted to his house by many Popes Emperors Kings and Princes with the Key of gold given by Massiminian the first Emperor to the said Count Giacomo his Ancestors he likewise preserves many Antient and notable Seals of his Ancestors wherewith they used to seal the privileges of those Counts Knights Doctors and Notaries which were created by them together also with many other most incomparable excellencies both concerning his own Family and many others Monsignior Giacomo Filippo Tomassini Bishop of Citta Nova in the Street called Ponte de Tadi hath his Palace restored and signalized by the Signor Paulo his Brother long since Doctor of Laws and the first Advocate of his Age in his Countrey lately deceased with a universal sorrow This Signor is generally esteemed for a most virtuous person a Philosopher a Divine an Astrologer an Historian and a Humanist in all which he hath justified his Judgment by those most Elegant Books he hath wrote upon all these subjects so much approved by the Virtuous His Study excels no less in Books Pictures Medals and other things of valew Than in the signal Library of the works of the Lawes left him by his said Brother The Signor Conte Giovanni de Lazara Knight of the Order of Saint Stephen Son to the Signor Conte Nicolo Knight of the same Order hath no less honoured his Country by his Nobility and Virtue than for his eminency in the knowlege of the Antiquities of it and many other Countreys whereto he hath added a Collection of divers manuscripts of great esteem as also a good quantity of Medals and other things of price among which the antient Seal of the Padouan Republick whereof Scardevone in the 12 folio takes notice is greatly valued Besides on one side of his Palace which is one of the fairest of the City he hath drawn a Border whereon are set the Pourtraies of many Lords and Princes the Predecessors and Parents of his Family The Signor Sartorio Orsato Doctor in Philosophy and Physick Son of the Signor Orsato Knight of Saint Mark an eminent Subject in his Countrey is a young Student not less read and expert in Philosophy and Physick than in History Humanity and Antiquities and in his brave house in the Street of Saint Francesco hath made a Collection of the best Books and squares with a good number of Medals Marbles brass pieces and other singularities of great Price who having composed several works both in Prose and verse as well in the Latine as Italian Language to add to the fame and beauty of
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
of Minerva where as Polybius averrs this goddess was adored and reverenced with the greatest and most particular devotion whence many suppose this Ciry took its name for that in the antient Celtique and German tongues Magdalant signifies the Land or Country of a Virgin which opinion is likewise confimed by Andrea Alciato I. C. A veritable Author in all the sciences who in his Emblems writ this Epigram Quam Mediolanum sacram dixere puellae Terram nam vetus hoc Gallica lingua sonat Culta c Minerva fuit nunc est ubi nomine Tecla Mutato Matris Virginis ante Domum Santa Maria della Scala was founded by Regina Wife of the Visconte and enjoyned to be so called because she descended from the Family of the Scalaes of Verona It stands where was antiently the Palace of the Turriani And where the Church of Saint Dionigeis stood in old time a Dragon which then greatly afflicted the Country and destroyed many at last he was slain by Umberto Angiere who was thereupon created Viscont There are two Chapels in the Church of Saint Mark in one whereof is the most excellent Pictures of Lomazzo containing in one the Apostles Prophets Sibils and many other pourtraies In the other the fall of Simon Magus from Heaven which it represent as most horrible spectacle The Church of San Nazario contains certain proud Tombs of the illustrious Lords the Trivultii chiesly that of Giacomo of whom may be truly said He that never was quiet lies still here Near this Church they shew a red stone which they term the holy Stone wherein are cut the victories and trophies which Saint Ambrose gloriously obtained upon the Arrians in memory whereof to him was erected a Statue at the Gate Vico. The Church of S. Fedele is admirable no less for its beauty than for the Architecture of Pellegrino The Church of San Paola and San Barnabas for the Nuns is most noble where was first founded the Order of the reformed Priests of the beheaded Saint John They have one rare cross cut by Bramantino The Church of Santa Rosa is for the preaching Fryers who have the keeping of the holy Rosarie In the magnificent Temple of San Gottardo are excellently drawn the effigies of the Visconte where ly buried Azzone Visconte and Gio Maria the second Duke It s beautified with a stupendious Belfry and a fair Garden The Church of Saint Eustorgio the Bishop shewes a stately and sumptuous Sepulcher wherein ly the bones of San Pietro the Martyr A rich Tabernacle where is kept the head of Saint Eustorgio and the Tomb of the three Magi with this inscription Sepulchrum Trium Magorum where lay the Bodies of those Magi which were brought hither by Saint Eustorgio in Anno 330. when he came last out of the East but many yeers after this City being destroyed by Fedrick Barbarossa in Anno 1163. These Bodies were conveyed to Colonia Agrippina by Rodolphus the Arch-Bishop now they keep in that Sepulcher the Body of Eustorgio with many reliques of other Saints Martyrd there for the Faith of Christ. Here also are kept the Ashes of many noble Milanesians inter alia of Matteo Visconte first Duke of Milan and of Gio Merula a most Learned Man who was interred with geeat pomp in the time of Ludovico Sforza with this Epitaph on his Tomb. Vixi aliis inter spinas mundique procellas Nunc sospes coelo Merula vivo mihi Over the Gate of the Convent of the preaching Fryers from whom many excellent Theologians have issued is placed the Pulpit wherein Saint Petre the Martyr being preaching to the People at noon day in Midsummer obtained by his Merits and the instance of his Prayers that a Cloud hung over the Auditors in manner of an Umbrella preserving them from that intollerable heat near the said Church gusheth out the fountain of Saint Barnabas where though an unpolished place he baptized and said Mass of which water who drinks is immediatly delivered from the malignity of any Feaver The Temple of S. Lorenzo formerly dedicated to Herode was much more sumptuous than the abovenamed Churches which in the yeer 1085. being in great part burnt received great damage in the Mosaick of Gold and in the destruction of many Brass figures about the Pillars The royal Church of Saint Aquilino founded by â—…lacida Sister of Honorius the Emperor and wife to Constantine shewes on its Front fair Marble Colums and within as noble Pillars of Porphiry In the Church of Stephano was flain with many stabs the Duke Caleazzo Maria Sforzo In S. Giovanni lies the Tomb of Barnabo Visconte Prince of Milan The Church of S. Statiro and Celso is proud of the excelling Genius and Architecture of Bramante the Limner of Urbin in many works he wrought there The Front of that of Saint Mary of its excellent Statues wrought with so much art that all conclude it impossible to equal them and that of the Peace or Pace of its rare painting of the history of the blessed Virgin and her Father by the hand of Gaudentius and moreover the Virgin her self painted by Marco Uglono the Painter which stand near the Cross and lively expresseth a real sorrow In the Church of Saint Francis is a Tablet of the conception together with Saint Gio the Baptist a Child adoring our Lord so well done by the hand of Vincio that they cannot be paralleled In the Church della Passione is a stupendious piece of the celebration of the last Supper where is truly represented the amazement of the Apostles by Christofero Cibo In the Church delle Gratie founded by Germano Rusca and aggrandized by Ludovico Sforza is painted in a Tablet the Picture of our Lord crowned with Thorns by Titian the worthy of eternal memory about the Cupula are Angels formed by Gaudentius whose vestments are rarely wrought and in another place Sain Paul painted writing and contemplating Herein lies buried Beatrice the Dutches so well beloved by Ludovico her Husband that he vowed never to sit at table again at eating and lived so a yeer about One Epitaph over the Gate of the Cloysters artificially made shall be here inserted Infelix partus amissa ante vita quà m in lucem ederet infelicior quod matri moriens vitam ademi parentem consorte sua orbavi in tam adverso fato hoc solum mihi potest jucundum esse quod Divi parentes ne Ludovicus Beatrix Mediolanen Duces gennere 1497. tertio Non. Ianuarii In this Church lies Giovanni Simonetta who wrote the history of the Sforzeschi and Giulio Camillo a most Learned Man whose Epi taph placed on another door of the Cloysters followes Iulio Camillo Viro ad omnia omnium scientiarum sensa mirificam eruenda adscientias ipsam in suum ordinem aptè constituendas natura mirè facto qui apud Dominicum Saulium Idibus Maii 1544. repentino mortuus concidit Dominicns Saulius amico desideratissimo posuit Which Church is possessed by the preaching Fathers
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
Marqueses have proceeded but also many Cardinals Bishops and other prelates with most learned men of whom are Sadoleto and Segonio whose works are of note to all It continued a long time in liberty as did the other Cities of Lumbardy but is at present subject to the Dukes of Estè who by their constant residence much ennoble and enrich it they here Make Vizards and Targets much esteemed through Italy Forth of Modena towards the South under the Appenines stands Formegine Spezzano and ten miles off it Sassulo a noble and civil Castle with a sumptuous Palace of the Family of Pia washed by the River Secchia where stands a fair Church dedicated to the blessed Virgine whither resort infinite People to obtain Graces Upon the said Mountain are many other Villages and Hamlets which also may be seen on that part of Modena towards the East These Castles heretofore subject to several Lords and particularly to them of Monte who were then very potent in these Countreys and possessed all the placs in the Graffignana which confines with Bologna and among them Sestola and Fanano Then going Westward you see the Alpes of San Pelligrino and the Castle Aquario famous for its Baths After turning to the South by these Mountains runs the Tyrrehene Sea somewhat further near Bologna on the Banks of the River Panaro appears Castle Vetro and Spilimberto of the Signori Rangori whence four miles you finde Vignola a Town honoured with a Marquisate subject to the Signori Boncompagio which Town confines with the Bolognian territories Towards the North is seated Correggio at 12. miles distance thence and somewhat further the most noble Castle or rather Imperial City Carpi which may very well be paralleld to many Cities both for the great and ingenuous People and the superfluity of all things necessary It hath the title of a Principality and was a long time enjoyed by the Signori Pii but is at present By the Duke of Modena On the Eastern part of Modena is a Chanel upon which you may be conveied eight miles by Boat unto Finale then passing on the Panaro and entring the Poe they go to Terrara upon the River Pinaro where the Chanel runs into it stand Bon Porto and San Felice praised for good Wines Along the Via Emilia 3 miles distant from Modena passeth the River Panaro near which are the confines between the Modonesi and the Bolognesi in which place Claudius the Consul copeing with the Enemies took 15000. Prisoners and 700. Liguri moreover in the same place Rotari King of the Longobardi routed the Roman Army and slew seven thousand of them There also the Army of the Modonesi being discomfited by the Bolognesi Enzo King of Sardegna Son of Frderick the second was taken Prisoner On the other side of the Panaro is Novantola with an antient and noble Monastery founded by Anselino Kinsman of Astolfo King of the Longobards having been a worthy Captain in their Army and there quitting this World created himself Captain of a thousand Monkes endowing the place with store of Goods and Revenues about the yeer of our Salvation 780. It was afterwards restored by the Countess Matilda and is inhabited by many Monks who have Jurisdiction as far as Spain wherein are kept the body of Saint Adrian the Pope and some part of S. Silvester with many othet Reliques and some antient Books particularly the Breviary of the said Matilda Near the Via Emilia between Bologna and Novantola stands S. Agata a Castle built be Barbarossa the Emperor and Crevalcore formerly called Allâ—…gra Cuore where twice the Armies of Bernabo Visconte Lord of Milan were overthrown Then one comes to San Giovanni a Countrey yeelding Wheat and other Grains On the left side of the Emilian Way are seen Castiglione and Casile Franco 15. miles from Bologna in which Territory was lately raised an inexpugnable Fort by Pope Urban the 8th from whose name t is denominated Urbano Near which is the Foro de Galli where Irtio and Pansa the Roman Consuls fighting with M. Antonius obtained a glorious Victory but with it their mortal wounds whereof they both dyed in the same place Then appear Piumanio Bazano and Crepellano pleasant Castles seated on those little Hills at the Feet of the Apenines On the left side of the Emilian Way five miles distant from Bologna is the River Lavino and Ghironda which joyning togeher encompass Forcelli in a triangular form at one miles distant from the Via Emilia where Octavianus Marcus Antonius and Marcus Lepidus parted the Monarchy between themselves which Forcelli seems now a Peninsula though it may be perceived to have been an Island afterwards these two Rivers throw themselves into the Poe About a mile before you arrive at Bologna there is a very long Bridge built of Stone which reacheth from the one side of the River to the other whence to Bologna is an easiy mile BOLOGNA la Grassa or BOLONIA the Fatt BOlogna was antiently head of the 12. Cities which the Tuscans possessed on that side of the Apenines who being driven out by the French and the French by rhe Romans it became a Colony of the Romans who sent thither 3000. men to inhabit After the Romans it was subjected to the Graecians the Longobards and to the Esarcato of Ravenna Afterwards recovered liberty like the other Cities of Lumbardi at which time the wicked factions of the Lambertazzi and Geremei arose and reduced it to great misery and servitude which their sufferings caused them to recommend themselvs to the Roman chief Bishop Afterwards to the Pepoli Visconti Bentivogli and finally it wholly put it self under the wings of the Pope who now enjoys it with peace It is situated at the Foot of the Apenines in the midst of the Via Emilia placed according to â—…tolomeo in the 6th Climate at 33. degrees and a half having the said Apenines on the South the Via Emilia or Roman Way on the East and the pleasant and fertile Campagna leading to Ferrara and Venetia on the North At its beginning t was formed a small City according to the accustomed manner of the Ancients with two only Gates the one towards Rome the other towards Lumbardi Afterwards in the time of Gratian the Emperour they adjoyned two other Gates and at the restauration which San Petronio made after the destruction by Theodosius they made 9. Gates as some say 12. as others where now are extant certain little Turrets called Turrosetti At last enlarged as at this day the said Gates were made twelve and was so much encreased that certain yeerspast being measured within the Walls Its circuit was found to be 5. miles in length two miles want a quarter and in bredth one mile from the Port S. Mammola to the Port Galliera It is formed in the similitude of a Ship more long thaâ—…broad at one side shewing the figure of a Prow and at the other that of a Poop having in the
the left appears Poggio appertaining to the noble Family Lambertini intending then for Ferrara you must keep the direct Road. On the right hand of which Way near the Canale lies Bentivoglio a â—…umptuous Palace with a Tower in the midst of a strong Fort whence sayling down the Canale in Boats called Sandoli one passeth by Malalbergo an Inn infamous by name and Deeds Bottifredi a Tavern Minerbo a Town and Butrio a Castle whose Countrey affords plenty of Hemp which for its length and strength is much esteemed at Venice and by them used for Cordage for their Vessels Near the Emilian way towards the East stand Molinella a Palace Boloniali Valti a Village Medicina a Castle and Ricardina a Town between which was fought that sharp battail by the Army of Bartlomeo Cogliono agaiust that of Galeazzo Sforza Son of the Duke Francesco wherein the said Bartolomeo remained Conqueror and near hereto lies the Valley Argenta and the Castle Guelfo where begin the Territories of Imola On the Via Emilia towards Romagnaâ—… five miles off Bologna on the right hand lie most pleasant Hills beautified with Palaces Gardens and Fruit Trees and some Woods of Juneper the harbour of much Foul which Hills afford the sweetest and largest Olives of â—…taly not at all inferiour to them of Spain Near which lies the Way leading to Florence Near the Emilian Way also runs the River Savena over which is built a Bridge of Brick not far from which are discovered the ruines of another stately Bridge which was raised at the cost of the Countess Matilda On the right hand appear the feet of the Apeniues with some Hills embellished with Towns and Villages On the left is a good and fertile Plain and the Road to Ferrara and on one side of the Emilian Way are the Ruines of the Antient City Quaterna which was destroyed by the Bolonians in the yeer 385. after a long Battail and on the other side is the Castle Butrio ten miles off which you finde the River Selero over which is a Bridge of stone near which stands the Castle San Pietro built by the Bolonians whose Fields afford plenty of Grain Flax and Fruit and the Ferry no less gain on the right hand of Selero stands Dozza a Castle endowed with the title of a Count belonging to the Family Campeggi in Bolonia and Paradello a Convent of the Fryers of the third order of San Francesco called Minimi built with wonderfull cost and Artifice by Pope Giulius the second t is thence to Imolo a mile Having perused all the Territory of Bologna nothing remains but the number of People which what in the Territories with the Cities and Burroughs amount to 207797. Souls The Gests or Journies from BOLOGNA to FLORENCE SIENNA and ROME TO go to Florence you must travail South-East out of the Gate S. Steffano through a pleasant and fertile Country wherein rise some Hills and having gone ten miles you arrive at Pianora a Town filled with Hosteries then at Loiano among the sharp Hills somewhat farther lies Scara a place much honoured by its Country-man Romasciato a famous Souldier Petra Mala Fiorenzuola a new Castle built by the Florentines Thence after passing the River you must gain the top of the Apenines through a rough and laborious way having no repose in all that Straight three miles passage till the arival at a little Hostery at the very top on the left hand of which passage lies a profound Vally so deep and so horrid that it many times turns the brain of the Traveller to behold it hath occasioned some those in staggering whimses to fall down to their inevitable ruine Descending from whence you attain Scarperia so called from its site on the slopeness of the Apenines whence the eye may behold the lovely places of Tuscany Finally having travalled fifty miles from Bologna you reach Florence Fiorenzala Bella. FLORENCE the Fair. FLorence doth not boast it self much of antiquity being foundedbut an inconsiderable time before the Triumvirate divers are the opinionsabout its building some will have it built by the Fiesolani who considering the difficulty sharpness of the ascent descent of the Mountain whereon Fiesole was built by little and little abandoned Fiesole and built their habitations in the plain neár the Banks of Arno Others say by the Flâ—…entines who here dwelt As to its name it was called Florence either from its so great felicity in the suddainness of its increase like a Flower to its perfect beauty or for that it was made a Colony to Rome the Flower of the World T is seated in a plain and is cut through in two parts by the River Arno. T is compassed on the East and Northparts in the likeness of a half Theatre by pleasant Hills and on the West it hath a glorious Plain extending it self forty miles broad placed between Arezzo Pisa aâ—…d is secured from the force of the Enemy by the Apâ—…nines t is five miles in compass and rather of a long than circular Form Heretofore it had 4 principal Gates and 4 Posternâ—…s when also it had 62. Towers the habitations of Gentlemen Afterwards it was in great part destroyed by Attila King of the Goths who slew some of the Citizens After which the Walls were cast down by the Fiesolaâ—…i and the barbarous which molestations enforced the â—…ltizens to quit it and retreat to adjacent Castles and so it remained wholy deprived of inhabitants till the year of the Incarnation of our Lord 802. When Charles the great from his Crownation as Emperor at Rome returning for France stayed there some daies and the place being agreable to him he gave beginning to the Walls and therein erected 150 Towers one hundred braces or Yards in the heighth and enjoyned all the dispersed Citizens to re-inhabit it from that time it augmented daily and was governed in Liberty being for all that many times infinitely perplexed with the wicked Factions of the Neri and Bianchi the Guelfi and Gibelliâ—…i Antiently their Government was thus They created two Consuls for one year giving them a Senate of one hundred Fathers wise men afterwards this Order changed and ten Citizens elected calling them Antiani which order was also several times changed through the differences between the Gentlemen and Citizens and the Citizens and common people The Citizens by their Ingenuity heaped up much Riches and that made their pride so great that the one would not give place to the other It subdued many Ciities of Tuseaâ—…y and Romagnâ—… particularly Pisa a potent Republick is at present under one sole Prince with it The sereness and goodness of the Ayr generates many good Witâ—… there and their Ingenuity procures great Riches It is divided as aforesaid by the Arno over which are built four magnificent Bridges It hath plenty of all things from the environing Hills Plains and the navigable River It stands as it were in
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
the City Here stands the Sepulchre of Cacus of whom they make mention in the Fables of Hercules which is a sharp broken stone in the midst of the Church Santa Maria Aventina where also was antiently a Temple of Hercules At this Praecipice were the Furcae Gemoniae to which Malefactors were dragged with Iron hooks and there inhumanely slain hither the Emperour Vitellius with an Iron hook fixed under his Chin and his Cloths torn of to his Buttocks was dragged and slain by the command of Vespasian for having put to death Sabinus Vespasians Brother The Porta Trigemina though very antient remains yet almost entire at the Foot of the Aventino near the Tyber in the Vineyard to which the Baths of Trajan are annexed This Gate was called Trigemina from the three twin Brothers called Horatii who marched out at that Gate when they went to fight for the Liberty of their Countrey against the three Brothers Curatii Albani which Albani being slain with two of the twin Brothers Horatii the third returned triumphant The Dioclesian Granaries of the Roman people were repaired and augmented by Dioclesian the Emperor from whom they took their name They stood between the Tyber and the Monte Testaceo they consisted of 150 several apartments and their ruines appear like a 〈◊〉 in the Vineyard of Julio Cesarino a Roman Monte Testaceo stands near them which was raised by the pieces of Potters Vessels there cast by the Potters whose streets were there which place was assigned for that use that they might not throw them into the Tyber for fear of stopping the current and diverting the stream to their greater damage nor cast them into the Fields to obstruct the fertility thereof Whence it grew to the heigth of 160 foot and two miles in compass Some but foolishly call it Monte diogni Terra ridiculously fabling their conjectures that this Mount was raised by the Vessels of several Nations wherein they brought their Tributes to Rome which Vessels they say they were commanded to cast in that place in perpetual remembrance of that their subjection In old time the Circus Olimpicus comprehended all that space which the Monte Testaceo takes up now The Pyramid of C. Cestius Septemvirs or the seventh of the Epicures or gluttons remains yet entire neare the Porta Ostiense within the City Walls being built with white Marble in great square stones and although the Inscription names only C. Cestius yet t is believed to have been the common burying place of all the Septemviri Epuloni whose charge was to see that the Feasts the Banquets the solemnities and sacrifices of the Gods were strictly observed La Porta Ostiense now named di San Paulo was built by Ancus Martins and called Ostiense because through it lies the way to Ostia Without which gate stands the Church dedicated to Sancto Paulo a most splendid Church one of the seaven principal of Rome and much frequented by the people Therein stand four rankes of vast Marble Collumnes which support it They are excellently wrought in Dorick Ionick Attick and Corinthian works nor is there any Church in Rome Replenisht with so many Pillars nor garnished with so polite and exquisite Marble stones which were translated from the two Porta's Ostienses The one of Nero the other of Antoâ—…inus Somewhat beyond which stands another Church called the Tre Fontane An antient Temple before whose portal rise many pretious Pillars of Porphyr stone which shine with various Colours within are shewed three sources of Fountains whose waters are esteemed holy and salutiferous for many infirmities they believe these Fountains to spring miraculously at and ever since the time that Saino Pauls head was cut off by the command of Nero the Emperour in that place The Visitation of the aforenamed particulars being exactly performed will be sufficient for the first day The second dayes Journey in perusing the noted things of ROME ENtring from Borgo into the City by the Bridge Castello you meet a way which divides it self in two on the right hand towards the Tyber goes the Strada Julia in which the house of the Cevali stands worthy a view and in the other street near the Baâ—…chi is the house of the Cardinal Sforza replenisht with Antiquities noble Pictures and a Library of Greek Manuscripts Alla Pace in the house of â—…ancellotto Lancellotti a Gentleman are many rare antiquities At the end of the Parione are the ample houses Arianae in whose Angle is seated That Statue of Pasquin the most famous of all that City yea of all the World This some suppose to be made for Hercules others for Alexander the great but there is no certainty of either though it appear the workemankip of some rare Artist In former times they were wont to load this Image with Libels a-against the Princes Cardinals and famous Men and noble Matrons and sometimes against the Pope but now left off because of the severe prohibitions since when though they dare not fix them to the Pasquino yet still they vent their reproofs and scandals under some other specious pretence publishing them some other way by the name of Pasquinata Antonio Tibaldeo a Ferrarian being no less learned than Venerable reports this story of this statue That there was in Rome a certain Taylour well known in his trade and good at his occupation called Pasquino whose shop stood in this street this man was well customed by Prelates Courtezans and other people who resorted to him for their Rayments This Taylor employed great number of Journeymen who like vile persons spent all the day their tongues freely speaking ill of this that person not sparing any taking occasion from what they observed in those persons which resorted to their shop the constant custome of slandering in that shop made it become ridiculous even to the persons offended esteeming those rascals unworthy of any credit and so no other regard was had to it Whence it came to pass afterwards that if any person would defame another he did it under covert of Master Pasquino saying he had heard say so in his shop which relation caused all the Interessed persons in that reproach not to make any more account of it This reverent gentleman Pasquino being dead it happened that in paving the street this statue was found half buried and broken near his shop which because t was incomodious for the passage to leave it there they erected just at the shop of Master Pasquino whence the back-biters taking a good occasion reported that Master Pasquino was returned again and not having courage enough to own the abuses they put upon others they used to fasten their Scrolls to that statue presuming that as t was lawfull for Mar co pasquino to speak any thing so by means of this statue they might scandalize others with such things as in the light and bare faced they durst not own This Custome continued long till at last t was prohibited with severe penalties Near hereto is the great Pallace of
the Jubile Moreover the Jewish synagogue had its Jubile every 50. yeers so that if for no other reason at leastwise that the Synagogue might not appear richer then the Church t was fit that she should likewise have a Jubile every fifty yeers Urban the sixth reduced it to thirty three yeers for the increase of the Church treasure afterwards to be disposed of by Saint Peter and his successors on the like occasions But last of all Paul the second reduced it to every 25th yeer and so Sixtus the fourth his successor observed it as in like manner have all following Popes done T◅e which we must believe was made for many considerations and chiefly for these for that the world as it grows old becomes worse both in quantity and quality of Life so that through the thousand dangers which alwaies threaten life and through the infinite Sins wherein many Creatures are involved it hath appeared good to reduce the time of Remission to a shorter time whereby to offer frequent invitations to all to accept the spiritual Medicine of Redemption of so great vertue and to fly the works of iniquity As to what appertains to the name t is to be observed that it may be called in Latin Jobileus Iobileus of which the last is least used notwithstanding that by the vulgar t is more frequently called Giubileo than otherwise This word is not derived from Giubilo which signifies Mirth and content although in truth it ought to be a yeer of rejoycing but from the hebrew word Jobel wich is as much as to say a Trumpet or Sacbut for that the Israelites the seventh month before the fiftieth yeer used to proclaim the yeer of Jubile with the sound of Trumpets furt hermore the Hebrew word Jobel also signifies remission and beginning the proper actions for the yeer of Jubile for then the Jews remitted all debts and returned all things to their first state The Pope cannot concede greater indulgences then those which are granted in the yeer of Jubile for then they open the treasury of the Church and bestow on every one as much as is absolutely necessary for him pardoning to him sins and penances as well imposed as not imposed freeing of him wholly and absolutely from purgatory yea although he should have forgottē his mortal sins in his confession or that he should not have confessed the Venial sins for t is not of necessity to make cōfession of Venial sins although such must suffer pains in purgatory for them if they be not in some way cancelled in this world in such manner that the soul that in that time shall part from the body doth instantly fly to enjoyment of the selicity of Paradise Our Jubile hath certain ◅imilitudes with that of the Jewes for that they proclaimed the yeer before so do we ours That they published in the Piazza◅s we ours in the Churches that they with Trumpets we ours with the voice of the Preachers In that they left the Land unmanured ours by the merits of Christ and his Saints supplies our Labour in that Servants became free in ours we acquire spiritual liberty with pardon of sins and penances in that they redeemed their Credits in ours we receive pardon for our offences in that sould possessions returned to their first Patrons in ours our crimes being cancelled the power and virtue of the soul is vivi◅ied in that banished persons returned to their Countrey and in ours who departs this life immediately ascends to the heavenly Countrey Boniface the eighth opened the doors of the Church Vaticano and bestowed most ample indulgences of all sins Clement the sixth added the doors of the Church Lateranense ordaining as is above declared Paulus the second afterwards added Santa Maria Maggiore and San Paolo in the Via Ostiense for visitation Gregory the 13th in anno 1575. ordained that who would participate the grace of the Jubile should first communicate in the yeer of Jubile allplenary indulgences are understood to be suspended with certain mutations of words of which the Authors treating on the Jubile speak to that purpose The Hebrews proclaimed their Jubile the 10th day of the seaventh moneth of the forty and ninth yeer Ours we publish on Ascention day in the yeer preceding the twenty fifth yeer upon two pulpits in the Church San Pietro reading the Popes Bull in Latin and the vulgar We begin our Jubile on the Vigil of the birth day of our Lord in the evening when the Pope with great solemnity opens the door of the Church San Pietro which at all other times stands continually walled up and he causeth the Lords Cardinals at the same time in the same manner to open the doors of the other deputed Churches all which doors the yeer ended are again shut up In the holy yeer that is to say the Jubile resort so great concourse of People from all Countreys to Rome that historians write that at the time of the Jubile of Pope Boniface Rome was so full of people that one could hardly pass in the City though so great and in the yeer 1505. the feet of Gregory the thirteenth in one morning were kissed by thirteen thousand persons Clement the 8th in anno 1600. would needs wash the feet of divers Prelates and other poor strangers come to the Jubile and the most illustrious Cardinals among which were Montalto and Farnese expressed great charity and humility to poor pilgrims That t is convenient to celebrate the Jubile in Rome rather then any other City is maintained by pregnant reasons Rome is the most worthy and noble of all other Cities and we therefore understand when we name Citta or City without any other appellation that it must be Rome She hath had the Empire is the head the Mistris and a compendium of the World She is full of Riches hath beauty in her Scite her Country fertility of soyl great comodiousness from the Navigation of the Tyber and the proximity of the Sea She is the common Countrey of all and in her are of all Nations and every people may there find a proper Church for their own Nation as in deed most Countreys have There Religion flourisheth more than elsewhere as appears by the infinite Priests and Fryers which there at leastwise in their diuine duties if not continually praise the Lord and pray for all There the Churches are much visited the Poor releived the virgins married and many other pious works performed worthy of perpetual memory She is a City of singular sanctity and in her are placed the most noted things appertaining to our Religion as the Manger wherein our Lord was layed at his birth the swa◅ling clothes the Cradle the garment the Coronation Robe the Crown of thorns the Nailes the Iron of the Launce the eross and the Title of Christ. In it are bodies of Apostles of Martyrs of Confessors of Virgins and infinite Reliques of Saints She is the seat of the Pope who is Prince of the Church Vicar of
small Castle but placed in an admirable scite in the plain of the Strada Appia and is as we may say risen out of the ruines of the antient perfection of Towns whch bore the same name whereof some Fragments yet appear in the adjacent Fens near the Lake Fondano To speak of it with authority take these verses of a certain German Poet. Collibus hinc atque inde Lacu simul aequore cinctum Citria cui florent hortis è littore Myrti Hesperidum decus et benevolentia culta Diones In our times this Castle received a foul disgrace from the hands of Hariadeno Barbarossa Captain of the Turkish Armada who by a suddain in road took it leading away all the Souldiers and Inhabitants sacking the Castle prophaning the Churches and arrived at his Gallies clapt all his prisoners into Chains The Strada Appia is the largest and was the famousest among the other twenty eight streets or ways of note which took beginning at Rome and was called the Queen of streets because that by it passed to Rome such as came triumphing from the East Appio Claudio made it as far as Capua and Caligula caused it to be paved with square stones and lastly Trajane renewed and restored it to Brandizzo beautifying it on each side with a green hedge of Laurels Bayes Pomgranats and Mastick trees pursuing this way before arrival at Fondi you meet the Mons 〈◊〉 noted amongst the antients for the good wine it bore as Martial saith Caecuba Fundanis generosa coquntur ahenis And leaving Fondi for Gaeta in the way you see the Villa Formiana famous for Cicero's slaughter and the Castle Itri scituate among certain hills most fruitfull in Figs Olives and other fruit Mola of old called Formia Formosa from the gardens lies thirty stades thence a stade being 125 paces eight whereof make an English mile Thence three miles taking the right hand you arrive at Gaeta which Country although all along it be but a bank is so well cultivated and so lovely adorned that it may not only fascinate and entertain the eyes of the Traveller but may be said like that in the Fable The residence of the Nymphs being in truth infinitely pleasant and delightfull on the right hand of it you have the prospect of the Sea on the left Flowers-Greens and Trees which being on this and that side bathed by the murmuring Rivolets afford a most excellent savour for refreshing the Travellors wearied senses GAETA Virgil speaks in honour of GAETA or CAJETA in these verses Tu quoque littoribus nostris AEneia nutrix AEternam moriens famam Cajeta dedisti GAETA enjoyeth a Port and a Fort which heretofore Ferdinando King of the Arragonians founded in a Corner of the Promontory towards the East having then driven the French out of the Kingdome of Naples within our memory the Emperor Charls the 5th added to it the neighbouring rock conjoyning it by a bridge which may be drawn up at pleasure to the rock that is highest and so redoubled the buildings augmenting its strength with Towers and ramparts and enclosing the whole mountain joyned it to the City by Ditches and Walls from which Towers such is their contrivance the Port and the City though lying much lower receive a perfect defence and protection being alwaies guarded with a good garison of Spanish Souldiers nor is any person permitted to enter neither stranger Townesman or Country man The City therefore may be well esteemed secure since so well provided for by art with all those Forts bulwarks c. and by nature by its own scituation having contiguous with it that Promontory as t were hanging over it and almost round it the waters of the Sea being as t were in a Peninsula having but a narrow Isthmus to come to it by Land excellently defended by a bridge a Gate a Fort and the Sea waters on each side The Promontory shews it self with two Heads on that side regarding the Mediterranean lies the City on the plainest and levelled part on the other Cliffs Rocks and Praecipices which extend into the Sea t is open from top to bottom occasioned by a great earthquake and that a long time since such many times happening in these parts of Italy The old Poets and Prophets sometimes called Neptune Ennosigaeo and Sifittone for that as they feigned he turned upside down the foundations of the mountains with his Trident. The Inhabitants and neighbouring people in boats with great devotion row into that wide space and religiously reverence the place for that they certainly believe that mountain was thus cleft in sunder by an earthquake at the time our Redeemer Jesus Christ suffered upon the Cross for the salvation of mankind as in the holy Gospel we find it written that at that time the Mountains and stones were rent in sunder in the midst of the opening of this mountain stands a Church and a very rich Monastery dedicated to the most sacred and great Trinity built with the alms of devout souls you may there see a vast stone so fallen from the top of the mountain that it may be said to be sustained by a miracle between the broken walls of the opening where it begins to narrow There Ferdinand King of Arragonia erected a fair Chappel dedicating it to the S. S. Trinita which appears as in the Sea and they go to it from the monastery by a way made with hands in the rupture of the Mountain the broken stones on one side and the hollowed places whence they fell on the other when tom out by the earthquake afford an enticing object Among other things there worth a view is a shrine made by Charls of Bourbon a famous though wicked Captain of later times who in the bloody assault and sack of Rome dyed of a wound from a gunshot The bones of this bad man are enclosed in a chest or coffin of wood covered with black silk and are obvious at the first entrance of the Castle in an eminent place under it may be read this Epitaph Francia mi dia la luche Espanna m'es fuerzo y ventura Roma mi dia la muerte Gaeta la Sepoltura Englished thus by Jo. Raymond Gent. France gave me breath Spain strength to arms did call Rome gave me death Gaeta Burial But to study brevity I have deliberated to run over those things only which may afford some fruit in reading and learning to the Ingenious IN the upper part of the Temple or great Church they shew all the pretious gifts and ornaments of that magnificent house wherein the episcopal seat was at first placed after the burning and destruction of the neighbouring Formia bestowed on it by the cruel hands of the Saracens Out of whose ruines was drawn that huge Bacchical Crater or Boul which holds many of those measures of wine which are called Crati or runnelets t is made of the whitest marble and is now applyed to the use of a Font for holy Baptism Corona Pighio reports not to
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
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
the way that led to Cuma Her bath yet stands and her Chambers painted in Mosaick woâ—…k yet all under ground as most of the aforesaid Antiquities except the Temples are CUMA Leaving the Lake Avernus you find on the way among the ruines of the City Cuma now altogether undone desert great foundations and ruines of Towers Temples and Edifices of importance On the top of the mountain are yet the footsteps of a Temple of Apollo which in its time was infinitely celebrated and is taken notice of by Virgil and Servius his Commentator There is also an Arch built with brick now called Arco Felice the happy Arch of a stupendious high Vault through which the antients wrought an even way between two heads of Mountains Cuma was built by the Calcidensi a Graecian people of Negroponte who being arived in those Seas with their ships to seek out a Country for their habitation first landed in those near Islands called Pitherusa which lye over against Campania and were so denominated from the multitude of Apes thereon found and afterwâ—…rds taking courâ—…ge they passed over into the Terra â—…irma where they built this City Cuma calling her by this name either from one of their Captains so called or from the Procurator in those maritimate Coasts or from its good augury they there met with to wit a woman great with child the which confirmed them in their determination to dwell there as Strabo Dionysius and Livy relate for to all these sences Cuma in Greek considering its significations may be well applyed These people lived a long time governing their Republique with prudence and increased so much that Pozzuolo Paleopoli and Naples became part of their Colony we read that the Cumani were under Tyrants before the Romans expelled their Kings but this happened not through their being subjugated by any but because they chose to themselves a head and chief to obey who after the Greek manner was called Tyranno that is Lord one of which was Aristodemo Malaco elected for his meer valour as Livy and Dionysius Halicarnasseus write for that with a small party he overcame a great nnmber of Tuscans Ombrians and Ausonians enemies of the Cumani and slew with his own hand Arunte the Son of Porsenna their Captain To which Aristodemns say the same Authors Tarquinius Superbus expelled Rome fled for safety and by him being well accepted he ended his daies in Cuma Afterwards the Cumani were overcome and for some time evilly intreated by the Campani saies Strabo but in subsequent times there being no Forts strong enough to resist the Romans all those people were at one instant of time reduced under the said Romans who set a Praefect over the City Cuma for that that people would too obstinately have fought for defence of their Liberty Afterwards that City run retrograde loosing its splendour and inhabitants for that the Romans by their greatnesse measuring their pride possessed themselves of all that Campania or Country erecting therein their luxurious and most sumptuous Palaces which not only obscured Cuma but all the adjacent Cities who being bereaved of their Land first fayled of Inhabitants and at last became desolate yet Cuma was the last of those Cities that underwent this desolation by reason that being built upon a mountain when the Roman Empire began to feel its tottering condition by the frequent in roads of the barbarous Nations into Italy Cuma for the commodity of its site was reduced into a Fortresse which caused Agathia Mireneus in his first book of the Gothick warr to say â—…hat Cuma in his time was very strong almost impregnable through its many grosse Towers walls and other fortifications and that for this reason Totila and Teja Kings of the Goths thither conveighed their Treasure as to a safe and secure place together with their most estimable and dearest things however Narsetes the Legate of Justinian the Emperor after a long siedge made himself Lord of it But at present nought hereof remains save only immense ruines foundations and profound Ditches cut into the hard stony rock with Chisels In the departure from Cuma you often fall upon parcels of the Via Domitiana now interrupted in many places and great Ruines of a stone Bridge raised over the Volturnus Domitian cau sed this way to be made beginning from the Via Appia between Minturue and Sinvessa and so leading to Cuma Statius Papinius in his Hendecasillibi or verses of eleven sillables makes mention of Cuma the above named bridge and a triumphal Arch of Marble placed on the same way whereof no fragments are now to be found LINTERNO And why now called the Tower of the Countrey ON the left hand of the Via Domitiana lye vast ruines of the old City Linternum of old a Colony of the Romans so in the midst of that t was called the Tower of the Countrey Campania which name it seems to have acquired from the places old successe and was ennobled by the remainder of dayes which Scipio Affricanus the Greater spent there after his voluntary banishment from his Countrey Rome Who being ill treated by his Citizens whom with their goods and estates he had defended from their Enemies and made them Lords of Spain and Affrick in disdain of so great ingratitude retired himself to his own Palace in this place that he might deprive his Countrey of himself living of his assistance by this means dealing with her as most ingratefull after his death commanding his body to be there entered expresly forbidding his bones to be transported to Rome as Livy Strabo Valerius Maximus Seneca and many others relate Pliny saith further in the last Chapter of the sixteenth book of his natural History that even to his tâ—…me they found in Linternum of the Olive trees planted by Scipio Affricanus and a â—…irtle of a notable largenesse under which was a Cave inhabited by a Dragon the guardian of Scipâ—…oes Soul from which fable arose this other which the Inhabitants tell of the Monte Massico so renowned for the wines it produced to wit thaâ—… in a certain â—…ave on the said mountain lay a Dragon who slew and devoured all such as approached to him and that t was therefore called Monte Dragone and the Castle standing thereon is called La Rocca di Monte Dragone Iu these quarters is a spring or fountain of which was wont to be sharp or sower water and as t was said would intoxicate â—…ut now it hath the tast of sweet and pure water and hath not the said effect of inebriating but when drunk cures the head-ache SINOPE or SINVESSA UNder the Castle Dragone stood the antient City Sinope first a Colony of the Greeks and afterwards made a Colony by the Romans calling it Sinvessa when they also made Minâ—…nrnum a near City another Colony by occasion of the warr they had against the Samniti in the four hundred fifty seventh yeer after Romes foundation Appius Claudius and L. Volturnius being Consuls the latter
chastised by the Romans for its frequent rebellions wherefore the walls were levelled and the richer sort of Velletri sent to dwell beyond the Tyber with penalty of imprisonement to whosoever should set foot on this side Tiber within a mile of Velletri This Castle was also made a Colony of the Romans and many times replenisht with new Inhabitants sent thither from Rome because the old in the many warrs made on those confines became impotent and much decreased as Livy affirms Frontinus in his Fragmenta saies that he finds many people by precept of the Sempronian Law to have been at sundry times sent from Rome to Velletri and that afterwards Claudius Caesar made it a Military Colony dividing his own Territory among the Souldiers T was renowned because the Ancestors of Caesar Augustus were of old Inhabitants in it that is the Octavian Family and the same Augustus had a certain noble Seat of his own there from whence saies Suetonius he caused many things necessary for sustenance and livelyhood to be conveighed Yet now remain very few marks of the old Fabricks notwithstanding that t is yet a great and well inhabited Castle It hath a lovely Territory replenisht with gardens and Palaces through its vicinity with Rome Pliny in his 14th book reckons the wine of Velletri among the most generous but it is not now in that credit being so crude at present that they are fain to boyle it in a caldron to make it drinkable wherefore Pliny well observes that even the Earth hath its age and decays as have all other things In the voyage present themselves to view Lanuvium or Lanuvio a place famous for the Temple there dedicated to Juno Sospita The Riccia or Agritia built by the Sicilians afterwards made the Seate of Alba Longa. The mountain so much spoken of for the Temple consecrated to Jupiter and the Latines Feast daies there celebrated Some Lakes which lye under it The Hill Albano so fatal to the Vejenti The Nemorese famous for the barbarous sacrifices there performed to Diana Taurica and Hippolitus Urbius In sum all that tract of Land is worthy contemplation for the many records taken of it among writers The frequent ruines of great Fabricks lying up and down the Countrey Tusculanum where Cicero Varro and divers other noble Romans had their Palaces deserve due consideration as do the Countrey seats of the tenn Cardinals and above all the fair Villa of Frescati a place deputed to the Popes recreation The Territory of Frescati was the antient delight of the Romans and continues now of such ravishing delights as t is fitter for the Gods to in habit then men such is the quantity of trees the quality of verts alwaies flourishing the murmuring of Fountains and the like PELESTINA VPon a mountain on the right hand stands Pelestrina the Antient Seat of the Aborigini a people who first possessed the Country about Rome living abroad without houses of the original of this City is no certain knowledge to be had being lost through its antiquity but thereof divers are the opinions Virgil in his seaventh by authority of the Chronicles of the Prenestini saies that Caeculus the Son of Vulcan founded it whose mother sitting by the fire side a spark happened to light into her lap by which she said she was concerved with Childe when her full time was come she was delivered of a Son whom because he had very small eyes she called Caecuâ—… Of him the noble Family of Cecilians in Rome would need have their beginning deriving their Original from him as their first stock Soliâ—…s by authority of Zeâ—…odotus saies that t was built by Praenestus the Son of Latinâ—…s and Nephew of Ulisses Plutark in his parallels by authority of Aristotle in the third of Italian things saies that Telogonus the Son of Ulisses by Circe the witch after he had built Tusculum by advisement of the Oracle called it Preneste from the name of the Crowns wherewith he first saw the Inhabitants of the Country to daunce but be it as some say from the said Praenestus or as others will from the scituation of the place a little pendent or as others from the scites being so high t is indifferent since the name Preneste will easily accommodate it self to all or either of these respects Yet the more rational opinion for the name seems to be derived from the Crowns aforementioned not only for the aforesaid cause but also for that in that City there stood a most noble Temple of Fortune famous for those diviners by Lots who exercised themselves in that superstition and was therefore visited with many Crowns offered to the said Goddesse by vow of which Temple some fragments yet remain and a few years since were there found divers figures of Fortune in brasse brick marble and other materials as also several Crowns and divers medals upon which were figured the various lots fortunes and chances with their marks signes and letters In it also hung divers Tablets and other things offered by vow to Fortune Jove Hope and to the Capudini which things would take up too much room to recite yet one Epigram will not be too impertinent since so eminently inscribed on a marble basis dedicate in that Temple by T. Caesius Taurinus with the figure of T. Cesius the first his Father the most famous Merchant of Corn who used every yeer to present a hundred Crowns by vow On the said Basis are carved two measures called Modii half bushels filled with ears of corn on the sides are some little pillers crowned with ears of corn and in the middle is the ensuing Epigram Tu quae Tarpeio coleris vicina Tonanti Votorum vindex semper Fortuna meorum Accipe quae pietas ponit tibi dona merenti Effigiem nostri conservatura Parentis Cujus ne taceat memorandum littera nomen Cesius hic idemque ritus Primusque vocatur Qui largae Cereris messes fructusque renatos Digerit in pretium cui constat fama fidesque Et qui divitias vincit Pudor ille perillos Consuetus portus cura studioque laboris Littora qui praestant fessis tutissima nautis Notus in urbe sacra notus quoque finibus illis Quos Umber sulcare solet quas Iuscus arator Omnibus his annis votorum more suorum Centenas addit numero cresente coronas Fortunae simulacra coleris Apollinis aras AEgeriumque Jovem quoruum consentit in illo Majestas longae promit ens tempora vitae Accipe posteritas quod post tua saecula narres Taurinus cari jussus pietate parentis Hoc posuit donum quod nec sententia mortis Vincere nec poterit fatorum summa Potestas Sed Populi salvo semper rumore manebit Cicero declares in his second Book de Divinatione by extraction out of the Books of the said people Prenestini how the observation of Chances Lots or Fortunes came to have its beginning in that City saying that a certain nobleman of
possession of that Kingdom with divers fortunes till at length the Arragonians were wholly driven out of the Kingdome of Naples by Charls the VIII But the Arragonians at last regained the possession by the prowesse of Consalvo Ferrando the great Captain who drove out the French for Ferrando the Catholick King of Spain from whom the Kingdomes of Sicilia and Naples passed by an hereditary succession to Charles the 5th Emperor and from him it descended to Philip the second who left it to his Son Philip the third Catholick King who now injoyes them in quiet possession A Description of the Island of MALTA BEtween Sicilia and the River of the one and t'other shore of Barbary are fixed the two Islands Melita or Malta and Gaulo or Gozo the one distant from the other five miles but eloigned from Pachino or Capo Passero a Promontory of Sicilia which they look towards one hundred miles and from Africa one hundred and ninety miles Malta is 60. miles in circumference being all as it were a plain though somewhat Rocky and exposed to the windes it hath many and secure Ports but towards the North t is wholly deprived of fresh waters but on the western parts are excellent Currance and it produceth most fruitfull trees Where t is broadest t is 12 miles over and in the longest part 20 miles and in all those seas is there not one Island so great distance from the firm Land as this is In more then six places towards Sicilia t is hollowed and hath Ports as it were formed by the Sea of Sicilia for receipt of its Pyrates or Rovers on the Sea but towards Tripolis t is all full of Cliffes and Rocks affording no mannor of Harbour T is called Melita in Latine from the Bees which in Greek are called Melitte for that the abundance and goodnesse of Flowers causeth in this Isle the production of the most excellent hony but of late by corruption of the word we call it Malta At its first habituation it yielded obedience to King Battus famous for his riches and for the friendship and hospitality of Dido whence afterwards it obeyed the Carthaginians Whereof the many Collumnes placed up and down the Countrey engraven with antient Carthaginian Characters farr different from the Hebrean give sufficient testimony But at the same time when Sicilia was reduced to the Romans it also rendered it self and was therefore governed by the same Laws and the same Praetor as Sicilia was Wherewith also coming afterwards into the power of the Saracens it finally with Gozo in the yeer 1090. was possessed by Ruggieri Normanno Count of Sicilia till at length it obeyed the Christian Princes The Ayr over all the Island is most healthfull but chiefly to them that inure themselves to it It hath Fountains and Orchards copiously replenished with Date Trees and its soyle every where produceth plentifully all sorts of Grain and Corn Flax Cotton Wool Cummin seeds and abundance of Roses eminently sweet favoured here also they have a kind of little neat white Dogs which from their long hair we call shocks of much delight to the people The Earth is sowed all the year with little husbandry and they reap two harvests and the trees likewise bear fruit twice in the yeer In the winter every thing is green and flourisheth and in the summer is burnt up with heat howbeit a certain Dew falls which exceedingly nourisheth the Corn. At the head of a long and strait point almost opposite to the Capo Passero or Pachino in Sicilia is erected the Fortezza of Sant Ermo but on the right hand towards Sicilia are some other points and between them and Sant Ermo is a Channel of water upon one of which points is the Castle Sant Angelo and the other the Fortezza of San Michael with their Bourges between the one and the other of which lie the shipâ—… Galleys in a Channel which is locked at the utmost points with a vast Iron Chain Eight miles off which place up the Land stands the City called Malta famoused by the Reliques of very noble Edifices and by the antient dignity of a Bishoprick This Isle hath a Prâ—…montory whereon was built a most antient and noble Temple dedicated to Juno and held in great reverence and another on the South to Hercules whereof at this day huge ruines appear at the Port Euro The men of this Island are brown complexioned and their genius more approaches that of the Sicilians then any other The women are beautifull enough but fly company goe obscured abroad are kept close at home yet following the same manner of life as the Sicilians and speaking a language more like and near the Carthaginian then any other language The people are generally religious and particularly pay a great devotion to Saint Paul to whom this Island is dedicated for that here he by chance fell into the Sea and was here entertained with great humanity and on that shore where he fell in is built a venerable Chapel for their respect to whom they believe no noysome nor venemous Creature can grow or live on this Island And from the Grotto where that Saint stood are stones by many plucked away and carryed through Italy called the Gratia of Saint Paul to healthe bitings of Scorpions and Serpents In our Age this Island had and hath great splendour for its Devotion and the religious order of the Knights of Sant Giovanni or John of Jerusalem the which having lost Rhodes taken from them in the yeer 1522. by Soliman the magnificent the great Tnrk had this Island given them by Charles the 5th Emperour where they have built the aforenamed Castles and Forts that they may there reside with perpetual security In the yeer 1565. they valiantly defended the same against a most potent Armada which the same Soliman sent thither to conquer the Island and to drive out those Knights which in time to come will not contribute lesse glory to Malta then that which they reaped in times past from the general Council which under Pope Innocent the first was there celebrated by 214. Bishops against Pelagius the Heretike among others there met Saint Austine and Sylvano Bishop of Malta Soliman sent to this Attempt an Armada a Fleet of 200 sayls under the command oâ—… Piali Bassa General of the Sea a man both valiant and judicious and of Mustapha the Bassa General of the Land a man very crafty and much experienc't in warlike affairs who having disembarked and landed their Army on the 18. of May besieged and battered the Castle Sant Ermo and after many contests and attempts having beat down that wall flat to the Earth on the 23d of June became Masters of the Fort and put all the defendors to the Sword and cut them to pieces There dyed then on the Turks part Dragut â—…ais the famous Pyrat being wounded under the ear by the blow of a stone Then they turned their force upon the two other Fortezza's of Sant Michael and Saint Angelo They planted a fierce battery against San Michael which levelled the walls with the bank of the Fosse or Ditch by their falling therein but in many and many assaults which they gave to the Castle they were alwaies valiantly repelled by the Horse Giovanni Valetta a French man the then great Master a man of singular valour and prudence not failing in any thing of conduct or necessary provision that might merit the esteem of an excellent Commander At last Don Garcia de Toledo having selected sixty of the most nimble and polite galleys out of those of the King of Spain and furnished them with nine thousand six hundred Souldiers between Spaniards and Italians advanced to land them securely on the Island Which the Turks understanding forthwith imbarqued their Artillery and advanced with 8000 Souldiers to view the Christian Army who fell upon them with such ardour and fury that they immediately most basely run away and got into their Galleys leaving 1800 dead having killed but only four on the Christians side And in this manner were the Turks constrained to abandon the Island to their â—…oul shame and confusion and the great honour of Almighty God whose hand strengthning this small number clearly demonstrated that by his favour the valour of a few can oppose the violence of many VERSES composed on the Cities of ITALY translated out of the ITALIAN FOR Pompe and Pietie old Rome is fam'd Venice is rich the Sage and Lordly nam'd Naples is noble and of pleasant air Florence through all the world reputed fair Milan doth of her Grandeur justly boast Bologna'sâ—…att â—…att Ferrara civil most Padoua Learned subtile Bergamo And Genoua's Pride her stately buildings show Worthy Verona bloudy Perugia Brescia well-armed and glorious Mantoua Rimini good Pistâ—…ia barbarous Babling Siena Lucca industrious Forli phantastick kind Ravenna's styld Singalia with nauseous air is fill'd Pisa is pendent 〈◊〉 Capua Pesaro flowry and as all men say Ancona far from a good Poâ—…t doth sâ—…ray Urbin in her fidelity is strong Ascoli round and Recanate long Foligno's candied streets most pleasant are The Ladies of Fano so smooth and fair That said they are from Heaven sent to be But Modena more happy is then shee FINIS 1199. Sholes Muran St. Georgio Zuecca Lizafusina Edmond Walâ—…er Espuire Polverara Adria Euganei Monselice Estè Lendinrâ—… Rovigo Peredeo Campo Martio St. Michael Monte forte Scala Sanzen Peschiero Desensano Paltena Pulicella Bardolino Gardo Caldo. Sirmione Domo Santa Juliia Lonato Asola Oglio Reato Valcamonica Isseo Brenna Troppia Cardone Del Sole Caravaggio Cassina Soncino Crema Lodi Malpaga Vale Serina Brombana San Martino Calepio Chiusontio Manca Como Como Bersalina Belasio Monza Somasca Martosana Ro Angiera Novarra Mortara Valese Adda Pusterlengo St. Antonio Bobio Arquato Fidenti St. Donnino Colorno Bergo Bardo Aquario Vignola Carpi Panaro Novantola Agata Forcelli Râ—…ssi Colossina Panico Vergata Bâ—…aghi Porretta Poggio Bâ—…trio Rièardina Guelfo Quaterna San Pietro Dozza Pianora Scarao Scarperia Pratolinâ—… Fiesole Mugello Lucca Poggibonzi Mount Olivet Radicofano Pienza Chiuse Monte Pulciano Grossetto Bolsena Tevere Soana Castro Orbello Tuscanello Cornetto Horti Viterbo Canepina Lagâ—… Vico Sutri Cività Rofolo Cremera Piadena Gazuolo St. Benedict Stapylton 33 feet denote yeers 6 fin gers 6 months
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