heal internal wounds and are helpfull for many infirmities of the body which if any desire ampler satisfaction in he may read the Tract of Gio Francesco Lombardo who gives an account of all such as have writ in verse or prose of the baths and wonders of Pozzuolo but we are obliged to too much hast to relate with care and amplitude all particulars wee meet with In the Campagnia of Pozzuolo Baia Cuma and the near Island Enarie by the old Greeks called Pythecus are found great quantity of the like Miracles that it might be well beleived that there nature serves Apollo perpetually and AEsculapius Higia and the Nymphs although the earthquakes and the volleys of fire which frequently happen demonstrate sufficiently that in divers places that as well under the foundation of the Sea as under the Mountains and in the lowest parts of the Earth great fires are kindled whose boyling vapours and flames working their own way through the veins of Allum sulphure pitch and other materials cause to rise in divers places hot and boyling fountains and create baths in the Caverns comodious for sweating Yet the nature and faculty of these things are different being conformed to the propriety of the materials and the earth whence the source proceeds so that among the medicinal and healthfull faculty of these waters we find some waters and vapours mortal which issue out of some muddy earth evil in it self Pliny in the second of his natural Histories writes that in Italy and particularly in the Campagna of Siâ—…vessa and Pozzuolo are vents or breathings so evil that they evaporate a mortall air At the foot of the mountain which circles the Lak Anianus not far from the said waters appears a Cave called Grotta di Cane eight or nine paces in circuit by which mouth two or more men may commodiously enter together where from the inmost part of the stone from its invisible pores proceed hot spirits but so subtile and dry that they carry not with them any similitude of smoke or vapour although they condense the air driven thither by the wind and the colds of the Cavern with great heat and change them into water as the dâ—…ops demonstrate which hang at the entrance of the Cave shining like little staâ—…rs when they are beheld at the opening of the Cave by those without in the light they have been often taken for drops of quicksilver All men generally believe this Grotta to have such an innate property that if any living thing should pass the prefixed term of a certain ditch in the entrance it would without doubt suddenly fall upon the earth and would be wholly deprived of life if not immediately drawn out and cast into the near standing waters or pool called Agnano by whose coldness only in a short time by little and little it recovers Life Whereof Travellers dayly make experiments if curious to know the wonders of nature by casting in cocks or dogs or some other live creature to which they fasten a rope to draw them up by Leandro Alberto writes that Charls the eighth King of France when a hundred and 14. yeers since he drove out the Spanish and for some time Lorded over Naples caused an Asse to be driven in who suddenly whirled about and dyed Another who two hundred yeers since wrote of these baths relates that a foot hardy rash Souldier run in armed and dyed miserably Corona Pighio writes that in the presence of Charls Prince of Cleves the Spanish Captains cast two cheerfull dogs by force into the Grotta who strove all possible to avoid it as if they had formerly experimented the danger the which being taken out dead by means of the refreshing waters in the aforenamed Lake were restored to life one of which being again cast into the cave and being thence drawn cast into the Lake returning not thereby to Life was left for dead on the bank who not long after as waking from a profound sleep raising himself and limping and staggering so soon as possible ran away every one that saw it smiled and Charls praised the dog that he would not for that time become a victime to the beares after this tryal they cast a brands end lighted into the Grotta beyond the prefixed sign which come to the bottom seemed to extinguish and raised up a little higher to rekindle which demonstrated that the spirits proceeding from the superficies as more hot and dry in the bottom consumed the more subtil nutriment of the flame but having lesse vigour at more distance from the foundation they rather rekindle the hot and gross smoke and flames of the brandsend as we see the flame of a lighted candle will pass to another newly put out by means of the so oke and the beams of the Sun when united by a burning glass are very vigorous and will set tow or flax on fire if approached too near Pighius through his exceeding love to study travialing over Italy and having an extream desire to inquire into the nature of all things by which he might acquire knowledge wondring at the reports of the miracles of Pozzuolo resolved to search out the cause by a nearer scrutiny then had been made by others He could not beleive that those drops that hung so resplendent at the end of the Caverne were quick-silver wherefore being counselled by a certain juvenile and youthfull audacity he passed the proposed measure in the Cavern having enclined his body a little and getting somewhat nearer he found they were drops of clear water and taking them on his finger from the sharp pendent of the rock he demonstrated the truth to his companions requiring them either to beleive or enter and make proof Which also happened for that Antonio Anistelo and Arnoldio Niveldio two Holandesi noble youths and companions in the journey with Pighius got near who when he had for some time stood in the Cave and perceived the heat how it ascended from his feet to his leggs and knees yet underwent no other then a giddiness and pain in his head and sweat only on the forehead and the temples through the heat of the place he learnt by experience that that heat and those nocive vapours are not lusty and violent but when near their rise and there they kill small animals or great but chiefly the four footed because they alwayes go with their head downwards whereby being necessitated to draw in with their breath those hot and boyling vapours their vital spirits become suddenly suffocated with too much heat the which also are as suddenly releived by the imediate refreshment of the waters in the Lake if the animal be forthwith cast therein when drawn out of the Cavern Whilst Pighius was performing this an Italian who guarded some herds wondred strangely at his temerity and remained astonisht at the success many times demanding if he did it not by the magick art nor would he be perswaded that Pighius could avoyd the nocivenesse of that Grotta
you may see the Castle Del'ovo so named for that the shelf which there in largeth it self to the similitude of an Island retains an oval form Collanutius writes that this Fort was built by William the third a Norman and thence called Normannica which afterwards Alfonsus the first King of the Arragonians repaired and beautifyed in many things t is said that the antient called this by a greek word Miagra either from a salutatiferous plant there growing or from the site and quality of the place or for that t was difficult to escape out of it This Mole is like an artificial street casting it self into the Sea whither all the gentry in the evening resort for the benefit of the Fresco. The Townesmen shew one after another Grottes hollowed under the shelf also some old memorials erected upon Cliffs and great quantity of Arms of different fashions Afterwards pass into the Court of the Palace by the Gulf of the Sea called by Strabo and Tazza della forma and if you would learn the discipline and labour of the Galleots you must view in the passage the near shores the Islands and Promontories round about as Liseno Procrite Patecusa Capreta Herculaneo and Atheneo or Minerâ—…vio which as Pliny relates was the residence of the Syrens and that gave denomination to the Promontory and here as Strabo records Ulysses consecrated a Temple to Minerva for his deliverance from the crafty wiles of the Syrens For the most part 40 galleys lye in this Port besides other vessels to discover and do other service which Port is very large and as well as is possible defended against fortune with a large bank which for the space of 500. foot runs from the shore into the Sea in form of a bended arm and the whole length and bredth made of huge pieces of squared stones There gusheth out at one end of the Mole a fountain of sweet water conveighed thither through the midst of the said Bank this fountain hath much marble under it wherein the water is received the name is drawn from a Latin word the foundations are known to have been layed by Charls the second the French King above two hundred and eighty yeers ago which Alfonsus the first a Spaniard amplified with all magnificence afterwards as well as many other publique edifices within the City this fancy also Charls the 5th Emperor and Philip his Son took up in augmenting fortifying and furnishing the same for its commodity and ornament without respect to the expence Hither the mariners in little boats row persons to see the Galleys and the life of the slaves with their arts who from the want of bread learn to speak with the words of the Poet Perseus Venter Magister c. and sitting exercise themselves together with the munition and naval preparations for war here in a little time may be learnt the mariners art with their manner of living wherewith they keep their bodies in health and the offices and charges of the Presidents of the Vessels thence you go to see the denoted stables of the King where are kept and managed whole heards of beautifull and valuable horses where some Princes are always to be found beholding with attention and delight their swift course their wheelings and turnings made in as little room and with as much art as is possible their curvets and leaps of all four performed excellently at the nod of the switch of the Rider Thence you go to the Castle Santermo on the top of the near mountain very strong looking on and defending the City the shore Port and Islands in the Sea King Robert Son of Charls the second built it 250 yeers agoe adding to it such strength and defences as render it little lesse than inexpugnable the Emperor Charls the first and Philip his Son some years since enlarged the Guasto conjoyning it with the City and increasing the structures in the inward space with new walls and new forts On the top of the Hill you meet a most fair and rich Temple with a stately Monastery possessed by the Carthusians In which Monastery if you can obtain so much favour from the Monks who lovingly receive forraigners and shew their Monasterie you will meet an ample satisfaction in the view of the Monks chamber in a corner of the Monastery where you have as great delight as Italy affords for on the right hand is presented to your view the prospect of the Sea as large as the eye can reach the Islands Enarea Caprea and Prochite and opposite the manured places of Pausilipo the gulf of Surrenio the streight of Surrentano some Cities and many Burroughs On the left hand the Field Holana very large and the mountain Vesuvius as high then looking downwards you behold Naples which whither to be styled the miracle of art or nature is disputable since there you may see have and enjoy what ever is esteemed pleasing or sweet In the voyage see the garden of Gacia di Toleda kept in as good order as any t was made with vast expence and with as many curses being with the sweat and blood of enforced galley slaves reduced to that perfection it now retains in the time that his Father Pietro di Toledo continued Lord of the City and Kingdom under the benevolent aspect of the Emperour Charles the 5th Nor is it a mean pleasure to view the places surrounding the City worth the seeing especially in a good season the which are in that fertile plain near the Sea in pleasant scites very pompous and adorned by the nobles with magnificent Edifices and fair gardens well kept and enriched which have such plenty of Fountains grottoes made by art and Fishponds adorned with Curral mother of Perle and Fish shels of all sorts as the beauty is almost impossible to be ghesâ—…ed at as also of Porticues walks vaults covered with Leaves and Flowers of divers sorts Roses pomegranates collumnes and Lodges beautifyed with pictures statues and marbles of antiquity and among those Lodges those of the Marques di vico and the other Princes placed on the strond near the Vesuvius are very famous as also the Villa of Bernardino Martizano adorned with many reliques of of antiquity Poggio Reale a vast Palace built heretofore by Ferdinand King of Arragonia whither the King used to retreat when he desired to repose himself and to recreate his minde from the fortunes of the Sea in a blith and secure port This Palace is contrived in this manner four square Towers upon four corners are bound together by great Porticues so that the Palace hath two bredths in a length each Tower hath fair and pleasant Chambers aboue and below and you passe from one to the other by the means of those open galleries the Court in the midst is ascended by certain little steps and therein a fountain and clear fishpond and on all sides by the nod of the Master from the pavements rise sprouts of water by meanes of infinite subtile Chanels there placed
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
Sacco from which the Bishop of Padoua takes his Title of Count a little beyond that stands Polverara where are bred the largest foul as Cocks and Hens of all Italy Near which begins the Sholes or Gulph of Venice between which appears the most antient now deserted Citâ—…y of Adria which formerly gave the name of Mare Adriaticum to the Sea now called the Golph of Venice Towards the North stands the Castle di Campo San Piero whence that Noble Family took its name and Original Between Padoua and Bassano is built a Citâ—…adel Towards the West is the City Vicenza with the famous Mountains Euganei so called in the Greek tongue for their excessive deliciousness whence the Padouans extract great quantities of Medicinal herbs Which Hils are neither part of the Alps nor part of the Apenines a thing scarce credible than which Constantiue Paleologo said as Rodigino reports that besides the Terrestial Paradice t was not possible the World could afford a place more full of delights At five miles distance from Padoua are extant the Baths of Albano where is to be admir'd the different kinds of Waters how out of a vast high cavernous Rock arises two sources of Water not above 2 foot one from the other of a perfect different nature the one whereof encrusts converts into a hard white stone not only the Banks by which it runs but what ever els is cast into it in creasing the saidc rustment of what is thrown in according to the time t is left in it and that which is more it begets Stone of the same nature upon the wheel of a Mill which is turned by its stream which every Moneth enforces the workemen to beat it off with Pickaxes that their Mill may not be hindred the Water hereof is never drunk by any creature being held very hurtfull but the other Water runs upon a light Sand is much more light in weight than the first and is divers times drank for sundty healthfull operatioÌ„s the people have dug the Earth in parts round the said Hill and have found Sulphure about the middle part and at the root of them having dug towards the East and South parts they have found Salt Abano at this day is nothing so much inhabited as we ought to believe it was heretofore by reason that upon any digging they often find underground many Reliques of Antiquity some also will have it that here they spun the finest Linnen Cloth On the other side of Abano stands the sumptuous and rich Monastery of Praia with the black Monks of Saint Renedict and near it the Church of Santa Maria di Monte Ortone Approaching whereunto is the Convent of the Fryars Ermitans of Saint Augustine called Scalci or without Shoos in which are sources of boyling water and mud excellent for pains and shrunk sinews though the difficulty with which they are come at renders them of less common use than they would be for they are a vast way in the Earth and in small quantities too but they are of a white colour and stiff as well wrought clay not black and dirty as those which are commonly gotten out of the adjacent Montagnone They pass from Padoua to Estè upon the River and upon the way espy the noble Castle of Monselice environed with most pleasant Hills also the foundations of a ruinated fortress where they gather infinite numbers of Vipers for the composing of that so much famed Venice Treacle On the left side whereof is the Hill Arquato Contrada much spoken of in memory of Franc Petrarca whose habitation being long there at length he gave up the Ghost and was there honourably interred in a sepulchre of Marble with this Epitaph enscribed which himself made as followes Frigida Francisci lapis hic tegt ossa Petrarcae Suscipe virgo Parens animam sate Virgne parce Fessaque jam terris caeli requiescat in Arce At this day also may be seen there his House his Chair and little Garden Two miles distant from Arquato upon a little Hill is Cataio a large Town of the Signors Obici thence they come to Battaglia a Parish near the River seaven miles after which one arrives at Estè a noble Castle and antient whence that Illustrious Family of Estè drew their Original Whose Palace is transformed into a Monastery by the Dominican Fryers From this Country they extract besides abundance of all other things for sustenance excellent Wines It contains 100000 Souls and the publick have 18000 Crowns of yeerly income There they ascend the Mountain of Vende where is a Monastery of the Fryers of Mount Oliveto three miles whence stands another Mountain where is the rich Abbacy and Monastery of the Fryers of Camaldol Tenn miles beyond Estè is seated the noble Castle of Montagnana nothing inferiour to that of Estè neither in Riches nor Civility where they much trade in Hemp. Eight miles farther is Lendinara a very strong Castle Town washed with the River Adice but the Ayr is a little gross in the Winter time it contayns 4000 Souls Near which is the Castle Sanguienedo in the Confines between the Venetians and the Duke of Mantoua where there is a fayr even way for eighteen miles length Isuing out of the gate of Padoua called S. Croce which leads to Ferrara first you meet Conselve heretofore a Castle of the Signori Lazara where stands the most delitious palace of the Count Nicholas of Lazara a magnanimous and generous Knight wherein Henry the third King of France and Poland quartered near it lies the Count Paludo whence the said Signor derives his Lordship t is a Country Noble and Fertile is a Convent of the Fathers Hermitans founded by Giovanni de Lazara Knight of S. Giacomo and Lieutenant General of the Venetian Cavalrie in the yeer 1574. After which is met Anguillara whereby the Adice passeth Farther on they go to Rovigo made a City by the Prince or Duke of Venice seated 25 miles from Padoua and 18 from Ferara It was built out of the Ruines of Adria whence t is not allocated above a mile t is hathed by an Arm of the Adice where are erected noble dwellings environed with a deep Ditch or Fosse which in circuit are about a mile its Country is most Fertile being compassed about with the 4 Rivers The Poe the Adice the Tartaro the Castagnaro And so it borrowes the name of Polesine which signifies Peninsula almost an Island from its length and the circum volution of those Rivers Many Illustrious Persons have added to the Glory of this their Countrey as the Cardinal Roverella Brusoneo the Poet Celio the Riccobuoni and Gio Tomaso Minadoi a most learned Physician who wrote the Persian History with other famous men It hath a Church dedicated to Saint Bellino heretofore Bishop of Padoua the Priests whereof with miraculous success restore to health such as are bit by mad Dogs whom they as suddainly cure as indubitably with
midst the most high Tower Asinelli which represents the main Mast the Tower Garisenna the Scale and the other small Towers the Shrouds to the eye of the beholder Within it is no manner of fortification the Citizens having cast down those that were who confiding in their own valour and prudence content themselves with a single Brick-Wall which encompasses it near it runs the River Savona and through it the Reno which serves for transportation of Merchandiz from Ferrara That Bologna abounds with all things is known to all whereby they give it the stile of Fatt Its Fields are fair and large producing all sorts of Corn and Wines of the best sorts in Italy with all kinds of Fruits particularly Olives so bigg and sweet that they give not place to them of Spain it hath also Woods for Foul and Beasts of Chase and notwithstanding there be few Lakes yet t is plentisully served with fish from Comacchio and Argenta Here to maintain their Epithite of Bologna la grassa they make those famous Salsages which for their excellency are esteemed a costly dish through the World as also a Conserve of Quince and Sugar called gelo or gelly fit for the Table of a Prince They here also work with great Art Sheaths for Knives of boyled Leather and fair Harquebuses and Flacks or Bottels They have great numbers of Silk-Worms from whose labour they extract quantity of Silk whereof they make Sarcenet Velvet and other Silks in such plenty as that they not only supply all Italy therewith but England and the Low Countreys It s Territory affords many Quarries of white Stones and great store of Hemp and Flax some minerals of Allum with medicinal Fountains both hot and cold It hath but one Piazza which yet for its largeness may be said to be three conjoyned in the midst whereof stands a sumptuous marble Fountain whereon stands a Brazen Neptune made by Giovanni Bologna a Flemish Sculptor in very much excellency whence gusheth a most clear stream of Water It hath a general uniformity of building having straight and spatious Streets and on each side of them before the Houses Arches of the same Structure where the Citizens recreate themselves without fear of the scorching Sun or the dripping Rains There is one spatious Garden of the Poeti another of the Paselli Near the Church of S. Giacomo where now appear a good space of old rinesu was formerly a regal Palace of the Bentivogli while they were Lords of Bolonia whose Majesty and Magnificence is treated on by Beroaldo T is adorned with superb and spatious Edifices aswell for divine worship as private use Among others the Popes Palace over the gate whereof is the Statue of a Pope in Brass and that of the Campeg gi where in the time of Giulio Terzo the Council of the Pepoli and Malvezzi met are of such grandure that any Prince may be received there The Palace which fronts the Church San Petronio was built by the Bolonians for a prison for Enzo King of Sardegna where he lived and at the cost of the publick was royally entertained for twenty yeers till his death Furthermore the Citizens Houses are beautified with Vests and other things to the pride of any others of Italy and their Sellars so deep under ground that they apprehend no Earth-quake The Tower Asmelli so named from the founders and Garisenda so called from its pendency downwards discover the great ingenuity of the Architector It s principal Temples are that of San Pietro the seat of the Bishop where ly many Cardinals Bishops and other learned Doctors with many Reliques of Saints Pictures Sculptures and Ornaments of gold and Silver of high valew The Domo which stands on the Piazza dedicate to San Petronio Bishop and Protector of the City is so great and magnificent that few Churches are equal to it here Charls the 5th received from Pope Clement the 7th the Crown of the Empire The Church of Saint Francis is well built where Pope Alexander the 5th a Bolonian lies buried and Odoffredo and Accursio two great Lights of the Civil Law then the magnificent Monastery of San Salvidore and the noble and rich Nunnery del Corpo di Christi where lies enterred the blessed Catharine who was a Nun therein whose nails upon the hands and feet grow as if she were living The Church of San Giacomo with its Chapel built by Giovanni secundo Bentivoglio was a work only for a King wherein lies the said Bentivoglio with many of his descendants some of the Malvezzi and other illustrious persons with many Reliques of Saints guarded in a rich and stately Altar by Cardinal Poggio The Church of S. Martin where repose the bones of Beroaldo and Alexandro Achellini the Philosopher The Church of San Giovanni entombes an image of Cecilia the Virgin Martyr painted by the divine Rafael of Urban the ashes of the blessed Elena and Carlo Raino a famous Doctor of Laws four of these Churches Canons have been Bishops of Bologna The Church of Saint Stephen the Proto-Martyr is sumptuous built by S. Petronio where among other Reliques they shew the Ashes of S. Vitale Agricola Petronio The Church of Saint Benedict encloseth is the Body of San Proculo the Martyr and the Cel wherein Gratian composed his Decretals In the Church of Saint Domenick in whose Quyer is rarely effigiated the old and new Testaments here lies Enzo King of Sardegna in a proud Tombe and many famous Doctors of Civil Laws and Physick as also Tadeo and Giacomo Pepoli who some time were â—…ords of Bolonia at the high Altar may be seen many Reliques of Saints of which are the body of San Domenick on whose Tomb are layed more than 300. Figures of Gold and Silver and one of the Thorns of the Crown of our Saviour with the Bible writ ten by the hand of Esdras in the Hebrew Tongue in white parchment here reposes also the Body of San Domenick the Patriark and institutor of that Order with many other stately Tombs Candlesticks Lamps Cenfers and other Ornaments This Church hath a noble Convent with many Cloysters and Dormitories for the Fryers aud a large Refectory excellently painted and one of the largest Cellars of Italy therein is likewise a Cemetory wherein to bury the Fryers And an excellent Library scarce any equal none better to be found kept and encreased dayly by the Fathers with great diligence and here sits the Inquisition In this Convent dwell one hundred and fifty Religious and here they keep the publique Studies of the Sciences which hath occasioned principally that five Popes many Cardinals Bishops and holy Fathers have proceeded hence among which were San Pietro the Martyr San Ramundo Egidir Foscararni Bishop of Modena who behaved himself prudently and learnedly at the Council of Trent The first Bishop of Bologna was SanZama who in the 270th yeer after Christ first preached the Faith here Dionisius being then Pope whom 71. have succeeded of good Doctrine and
one of the first four of Italy here they make bread white as Snow and here they keep with great devotion the Garter of the Virgin Mary a little more near the Apenines is Monte Murlo much spoken of for the taking those Florentines which fled out of Florence and there embodied by Alessandro Vitelli Captain for Cosmus the Duke which secured his Principality PISTOIA AFter which entring a lovely Plain you meet the City Pistoia twenty miles off Florence which though little is neatly compact and rich and would have been better had it not much groned under the factions of its own Citizens Twenty miles of Pistoia stands Lucca which governs it self in Liberty and by the strength of its Wall the Richness of Trade and the Industry of its own Citizens maintains it self well with all things necessary t is an antient City and was made a Colony of the Romans Desiderius the King built its strong Walls which with its site enabled it to endure a six moneths siege by Narsetes towards the Sea stand yet the footsteps of the Temple of Hercules the River Serchio runs close by Lucca whence the famous baths of Italy are ten miles distant Out of Florence towards the West in that spatious Plain stands the Castles Empoli and Fucecchio there is also a Lake of that name as also San Miniato al Todesco so called for that t was built by certain Germans under Desiderius their King PISA COasting the River Arno you attain Pisa an antient City built long before Rome by the Grecians and was one of the 12 Cities of Tuscany it was powerfull at Sea and obtained many victories against the Genovesi it subdued Cartagine conquered the Island of Sardegna and delivered its King Prisoner to the Pope It recovered Palermo in Sicilia out of the hands of the Sarazens who had long enjoyed it it slew the Sarazen King of Majorca It sent 40 Galleys in assistance to Almerico King of Ierusalem against the Sarazens who possessed Alexandria It greatly assisted the Popes in their adversity It was so potent happy and rich that Saint Thomaso treating of the four things reckons it among the four most potent Cities of Italy But from that time that at the instance and request of Frederick Barbarossa it captivated so many Prelates of the Romi◅h Church two Cardinals which came from France to the Lateranian Council it only decayed from bad to worse till it lost Liberty and Power yet in process of time by the residence of the Knights of S. Stefano and the University it recovered and still preserves the Countenance of an honourable City Plato will have it well situated being four miles then now eight from the Sea so that t is not placed upon the Sea shore but near it not upon the Mountains but near them in a Plain just so divided from the royal River Arno as Plato fancies his City T is endowed with four things which create wonder the Church of Saint Iohn the Domo the Steeple and ◅ampo Santo which was raised with that very holy Earth which they brought home in their Galleys when 50 of them were sent to assist the Emperor in the recovery of the holy Land On one side of it lies Lucca on the other Livorgeo or Ligorne T was destroyed by the Florentines in the yeer 1509. Intending from Florence to Siena you must go out at the Porta Romana through which Charles the fifth entred after his Victory in Africk and so passing by the Monastery Certosini attain Cassano Tavernelli and Staggia by a direct way having pleasant hills and fruitfull Valleys on each side In the way appears the Castle Certaldo the Birth-place of Giovani Boccaccio the Prince of Tuscan Poets who dyed in the 62. yeer of his Age in the yeer of our Lord 1375. and was interred in a Marble Tombe in the Domo of Certaldo with this Epitaph Hac sub mole jacent cineres ac ossa Ioannis Mens sedet ante Deum meritis ornata laborum Mortalis vitae genitor Boccac◅ius ◅lli Patria Certaldum studium fuit alma Poesis Somewhat further stands the Bourg Saint Geminiano famous for its good wine Vernace T is adorned with fair Churches noble Palaces illustrious persons and a gentle people built by Desiderius King of the Longobardi Westward from which lies the antique City Volterra which was founded 100. yeers before the firing of Troy and 500. before the building of Rome t is built on a hill the ascent to whose top is 3 miles its Walls are of squared stones 6 foot long layed cemented without Mortar It hath five gates before each a Fountain of clear water within them two other stately Fountains with many antiēt statues on thē old Epitaphs it hath a rich Territory is subject to the great Duke it produced Persio the poet and divers other wits beyond it lies the Sea On its left hand lies Ancis◅ the Country of St. Francis the Patriark Fighine and other good places AREZZO TRavailing towards the East you meet Arezzo accounted one of the antient twelve The Aretines contributed 30000. Crowns as many Celades with other Kinds of Weapons to the Romans and 120000. bushels of Wheat to furnish the Armada of 40 Galleys which was to convoy Scipio against the Carthaginians It hath suffered many and many calamities but with the government of Cosmus the great Duke it began to take breath and restore it self Pliny saies their Vessels of Earth were in his time esteemed the best of Italy San Donato its Bishop was there Martyred in the time of Valentinian the Emperor who baptized L. Zembio the Tribune and then endowed the Church of Arezzo wherein lies buried S. Loren◅o and Pellegrino brothers and Martyrs and Gregory the 10th chief Bishop the house of Petrark is yet to be seen there begins the State of the Church On the direct way to Siena stands Poggibonzi a place noted for the perfumed Tobacco composed there which the Italians take as profusely in powder as the English in pipes as also Ascia and near it Siena SIENA Paolo V. THis City was named Siena from the Galli Senoni who resided there under Brennus their Captain and built it on the back of the hill Tuffo t was made a Colony by the Romans and afterwards underwent the same misery with the other Cities of Tuscanie In process of time it recovered liberty and therewith its former emulation with Florence against whom it fought and obtained a glorious victory after which it became subject to the Petrarci it s own Citizens whome discarding it continued a free State till the yeer 1555. when the great Duke recovered it It s ayr is very good and wholesome Its Inhabitants very courteous who profess and speak the purity of the Italian Language without the Porta Romana the City appears with a great deal of Majesty being beautifyed by the many Towers raised in honour of such persons as performed some eminent service for the Common Wealth among
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
and famous for working miracles which property his body lying in the Cathedral Church yet retains in operation over such persous as were oppressed with evil spirits lye expelling them As also to Plautus that antient and famous Comick Latin Poet who t is commonly held for truth wrought here at the Bake-house as a Baker for a lively-hood and when he had any spare time he composed his Comedies and sold them the better to supply his necessities Which Opinion Eusebius also confirms CESENA CEsena lies at the foot of a Hill near the River Savio which so rapidly runs by it down from the Apenines that it overflows and infests many grounds before it runs into the Sea This City hath a strong Cittadel upon the hill adjoyning to the heart of the City by means of a Pyle built by Frederick the second Emperor now near ruined T is worth ones pains to see the Church where on the roof hangs a piece of a poudered Hog nayled to it in remembrance of a Miracle wrought thus San Pietro the Martyr caused the Convent of Saint Domenick to be built in the time of whose strncture craving Almes for the Love of God it happened that this piece of the Poudred Hoggs flesh was bestowed on him whereof he gave and fed the Workemen and Labourers till the said Convent was finished and still there remained that which now hangs up there for that what ever the Saint cut off grew increased day by day in the same manner and quantity as in its first state as if it had not been at all touched or diminished It abounds with excellent wines and all other necessaries It s original is not known yet t was ever and is still well peopled It was under the Emperors the Church the Bolonians the Ordolasi Mighardo di Sussenna and the Malatesti the last of whom Malatesto Novello collected a stately Library not now so despicable also to be passed without a view in the Monastery of Saint Fraucis who surrendred the City to the Church from whom t was wrested by Caesar Borgio called Duke Valentino Son of Alexander the 6th and from him it once more returned in obedtence to the Church and so continued in quiet ever since on the Mount near it is a Church called Maria del Monte Cesena where the Benedictines serve RIMINI THe number of Antiquities through this City shew it very antient T was beautifyed divers times by Augustus Caesar and the succeeding Emperors with sumptuous Fabricks whereof the reliques yet remaining give asussicient testimony many Historians relate that t was made a Colony of the Romans before the first Punick War together with Benevento Publius Sempronius Sofo and Appius Claudius Son of the Blind being Consuls which was 485 yeers after the foundation of Rome After which t was held and inhabited by the Romans as a Fortezza in those Confines against the French and there most of the Roman Commanders designed with Armies to forein Countries were wont to make their Rendezvous signifying to their People what day they should there render themselves as Livy more plainly sets down T was called Rimini from the River Rimini which washes it The Picenti first justly held it but they were overcome by Appius Claudius who triumphed for it and dilated the Empire from Esino or Fiumefâ—…no to the River Pissatello T is seated in a most fertile Plain having on the East and West parts of it excellent plow-Lands on the South great plenty of Gardens Orchards OliveWoods and Vineyards upon the hills of the Apenine Mountains and on the North the Adriatick Sea all which as t were in emulation strive which shall exceed the other in affording of necessaries and delicacies of all sorts to its Inhabitants T is a comodious and fair City replenished with structures alla Mo derna in the Piazza is a glorious fountain sprouting sweet and clear waters through several pipes Towards the Sea are some Reliques of a stately Theatre over the River Arimino stands a Bridge built with large square Marble stones by Augustus which conjoins the Via Flaminia to the Via Emilia and the City to the Suburb which is 200. foot long in 5. Arches and 15. broad whose sides are wrought in Dorick structure upon one of which is inscribed the Titles of Augustus Caesar and on another those of Tiberius Caesar whence we compute this Bridge was finished 778. yeers after the foundation of Rome C. Calvisius and Gn. Lentulus than Consuls being begun by Augustus who much laboured to beautify and accomodate the ViaFlaminia sparing no cost and finished in the daies of Tiberius Some part of the old Port appears yet but so inconfiderable that it can onely receive small boats But how great and magnificent this hath been may be collected from that proud and stupendious structure the Church San Francesco which was built by Sigismond Maltesta Prince of this City with the Marble Stones haled out of the old Port. At the Porta Orientale leading to Pesaro is a fair Marble Arch erected there in honour of Augustus Caesar when having been seaven times Consul he was elected for the eighth he having fortified and adorned by commission of the Senate and Will of the People of Rome the five chief Roads of Italy as may be guessed from those few legible fragments of carved Letters yet remaining whereby it appears that the Via Flaminia was of great consideration Augustus having assumed to himself the care of accommodating that Road from Rome to Rimini as Suetonicus recounts and given the charge of accommodating the rest to certain illustrious Men with order to dispose what ever spoiles they took from the Enemies to that purpose For a memorial of which publique benefit are yetextant certain moneys or medals of Gold then stamped with the Effigies of Augustus with his titles on the one side and on the other an Arch with two Doors elevated over a Way on the top whereof sits Victory driving a triumphal Chariot with these words Quod viae munitâ—… sint which words declare the occasion of that great honour done to Caesar was for his care and cost in amending the high Waies publick Roads Of which Arch now wholly destroyed many Reliquesly on the Via Flaminia even to Rome But the shortest way to Rome is to go over the Hills which ly South-ward from Rimini where stands the Castle Fiore to pass the River Isauro thirty miles whence is Urbino and eight miles more is Acqualagna there to enter the Via Flamâ—…nia and travail to Umbria In the Via Flaminia on the right hand upon a Hill is Verucchio the first habitation of the Malatesta to whom it was given by Otho the Emperor and higher in the Mountains is the Bourg S. Martino in in Latine Acer Mons a noble rich and well-peopled Place which hath ever preserved it self in full Liberty nor was it ever conquered which at a distance looks like a confused heap of Mountains without way or means to ascend to On the same
that since it came from Galilee and the mount because the sins of the People there made it unworthy so the knowlege the Virgin had of the quality of this People made her transmit her habitation hither and the often mutations of the places makes it evident to all that this is the true Stanza or Cell of the blessed Virgin departed from Galilea It arrived in this Province in Italy in the yeer 1295. and in lesse thana yeer changed its place of stay three times though but within compasse of a mile but who will consider its now aboade must find that the wit of man could not invent a better P. Battista Mantouano Viccar General of the Garmelites among other grave Authers to whom this house was first given in custody before it left Galilee averrs the trnth of the former relations Societies of Priests that are Liuguists have it now in government whereby to be the better able to take the confessions of all Nations and give absolutions c. RECANATI FRom Loreto the way leads to Recanati a new City built out of the Reliques of the old Helvia Ricina whereof some will have Macerata to be built also which Helvia was once magnificently repaired by Helvio many of its old foundations and the bases of an Amphitheatre yet appear upon the Road. From Loreto to Recanati is three mile of very rough Way over Mountains In it is held a publick fair every yeer in September in the great Church lies Pope Gregory the 12th who in the Council of Constanza renounced the Papacy t is seated on the top of a high and spatious Mountain environed with the Apenines Gingolo the Sea and some other little Hills Beyond which is a plain in it San Severino heretofore a Bourg but made a City by Pope Sixtus quintus Mathâ—…lica and Fabriano famous for the Pure writing paper there made and then Gamerino a well fortisied place abounding no less in Riches than People It alwaies assisted the Romans aud hath produced many emminent Men. Through the Vale Camerino you may go to Foligno and Spoleto MACERATA KEEping the direct Way thorow the Mountains you meet Macerata famous for greatnesse and beauty and the most noble City of the Marchiano In it is a College of Lawyers called the Rota deputed to hear Causes and the Residence of the Governors of all the Province Two great Causes for its full peopling About it ly several Bourgs Castles and Towns as Tolentino where they reverence the reliques of San Nicolo of the Angustine Order who there lived holily Montalto Fermo Ascolo and Seravalle beyond which lies Santa Anatolia whence through a Valley lies the way to San Foligno which is two days journy from Loreto FOLIGNO THe Longobardi having destroyed Foro Flaminio the Inhabitants out of its Ruines built Foligno The City is rich in Merchandize small but pleasant it hath a goodly porte whence the Citizens repelled the assaults of the Longobardi the Cities Perugia and Assisiaare Westward twenty miles from Foligno All along the Flaminian Way ly most flourishing Fields planted with all sorts of Fruits Vines Gardens Olive-Trees Almonds praised to the skies by Propertins Virgil and other Poets On the right hand lies Mevania the Countrey of Propertius and its Territory which produceth large Bulls and Oxen on the left was the Antient Temple of Metusca near it is the Source of the River Clitumnus issuing wirh a clear and plentifull head of Water enough to water the Fields of Bertagna which at its second stage had the name of a God given it by the blind Gentiles to whom t is believed the neighbouring Temple of Marble now antique yet noble was dedicate in old time T is made in that form which Vitruvius writing of the order of Temples teaches that those of Fountains Nimphes Venus Flora and Proserpina ought to have to wit to have some similitude with their Gods and hath in the Ornaments of the outside leaves of Bears-foot and Holm tree which demonstrate the fruitfulness of Clitumnus which the Antients observed so fatned the adjacent Pastures that thereby the Herds of Cattel grew very great and Pliny Lucan and Servius the Commentator of Virgil a verâ—… that those Cattel drinking of the water of Clitumnus became white Out of these Herds the Roman Conquerors used to select the most fair and in their triumphs to sacrifice them for a happy Augury to the victory brought with them The same also were led by the Emperors which triumphed with their horns guilt and bathed with the water of this River unto the Campidoglio and there sacrificed to Iove and other Gods which made the Spoletiâ—… to honour Clitumnus as a God and to it were dedicated by the antients Temples and Groves as may be collected from Propertins in these words Qua formosa suo Clitumnus flumina Luco Integer niveos abluit unda boves Virgil the Prince of Poets in the second of his Gorgicks speaking politely of the praise of Italy saith thus Hinc albi Clitumne greges maxima tanrus Victimae saepe tuo perfusi flumine sacro Romanos ad templa Deum duxere triumphos Silius also touches upon this conceipt in the Carthaginian War in few words to wit Et lavit ingentem perfusum flumine sacro Clitumnus taurum SPOLETO IN the same day the Traveller may go from Foligno to Spoleto a splendid City deficient in nothing the Refidence of the Longobardi Princes now ennobled by the Title of the Duke of Ombra antiently t was a strong Roman Colony so made by Litius and reduced by the Romans when they had overthrown the Ombri in the Consulate of G. Claudius Centone and Marius Sempronius Tuditanus Which Colony after the Romans had received the Rout near Trasineno was so bold as to withstand Hannibal the Conqueror and taught him to gather what vast strength the Roman Empire was of from the power of one sole Colony by forceing him to turn tayl retreat after the losse of many men into the Marchiana The old broken structures shew that it flourished greatly in the Romans time One may yet see the Palace of Theodorick King of Goths destroyed by the Goths but rebuilt by Narsete Captain for Justinian the Emperor The Temple of Concord the foundation of a Theatre and of stately Aquiducts TERNI THe following day through the Valley Strattura closed in by Hills Rocks and cliffs of the Apenines you reach Terni called Iteranna by the Antients from its inclosure between the branches of the River Nera The old Ruins of the Edifices shew it to have been in all things greater than at present and within memory t is known much decay came to it by intestine hatred and civil discords Many antient Marble Inscriptions shew that t was a free City of the Romans but at what time it received the title of a free City and the Prerogative of Roman Denizenship is not certainly known Pighius observes from a great Marblestone fixed in the Walls of the
On the left side of the high Altar stands the Tombe of Eustachius Nephew of Pope Innocent the 4th whereon are carved some fair statues as 't were actually endeavouring to bring a Lambe to the Sacrifice This was one of the five Patriarchal Churches and will be farther spoken of in the Voyage of the second day The Fifth of the principal Churches called SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE nel MONTE ESQUILINO THis in respect of the other Churches is small but polite 312. foot long and 112. broad Its pavement is wrought with Figures in Mosaick work and the Roof guilt In it is one Altar of Porphyr and a Tomb of Porphyr wherein lies Giovanni Patricio who built this Church In a Vault under ground is kept the Crib or Manger wherein our Saviour was layed at his Birth often visited with Masâ—…es and Prayers for which end Sixtus quintus there built a glorious Chappel deputing to it Clerkes who ought there continually to attend for divine Worship Here are engraven the works of Pope Pius the 5th for the service propagation of the Christian Religion in perpetual remembrance of so good a Pastor whose Body he ordered also should be put in â—…n honourable Tombe on the one side and his own to be placed on the other side when it should please the Lord to call him to himself On the right side of the high Altar lies the body of Pope Nicholas the 4th near whose Tomb stands an Image of the blessed Virgin painted by Saint Luke Here also is the Sepulchre of San Girolame And here ly buried Alberto and Giovanni Normando Platina who wrote compleatly the lives of the Popes Lucco Gaurico a famous Mathematician and Bishop of Cività Francesco Toledo a Jesuitâ—… Zforseschi da Santa Fiora and i Cesis three Cardinals Upon the Pillars are some antient Pictures of such as undertook the Argument for the Catholick Faith against the Hereticks who condemned images when that point was disputed in the Councel Before this Church Sixtus Quintus reared an Obelisk which is the least of the four in Rome and is without Hieroglypâ—…ick notes as that before Saint Giovanni Laterano hath On the back part of this Church is erected a Marble Collumn not so great as neat in memory of the Absolution which Henry fourth King of France and Navarre obtayned from Clement the eighth in Ann. 1593. This was one of the five Patriarchall Churches and will be further treated of in the third dayes Journey The Sixth of the Principal Churches called SAN PAOLO NELLA VIA OSTIENSE THis is the fairest and biggest Church of Rome being 120 paces long and 85 broad built by Constantine the great sustained as may be said by a Grove of stately Pillars T is paved with Marble Many Inscriptions are there placed and published by orhers One most remarkable is this P. P. P. R. R. R. S. S. S. F. F. F. The Venerable Bede being at that time most learned was consulted and desired to resolve the signification of those Letters which he thus explained Pater Patriae Perfectus Regnum Romae Ruit Secum Sublatâ Sapientiâ Ferro Flamma Fame The High Altar is supported by four Porphyr Pillars exposeing to publique view the Image on the Crucifix which spake to St. Brigide while she prayed as the Inscription declares and the Bull verifies Here also are stupendiously expressed in Mosaick work the Imagea of Christ of Saint Peter Saint Paul and Saint Andrew so lively that words seem to issue out of their mouths together with all the Instruments of the Passion and death of our Saviour This Church was nobly restored and beautified by Clement the 8th an excellent Pope In the Brasen gates are figured divers holy histories Greek and Latin From the inscriptions t is gathered that these gates were placed there by Pantaleon Consul in the time of Alexander the 4th This was one of the five Patriarchal Churches In it are the Sepultures of some Popes as of Giovanni who dyed in anno 1472. and Pietro Leone and the memorials of Iulius the third Gregory the 13th and Clement the 8th who opened the Porta Santae in the yeer of Jubile This Church is at present governed by the Fryers of the Order of St. Benedict Here is the Chappel of St. Paul in good part restored by Alexandro Farnese a Cardinal in anno 1582. In the Vestry are many Reliques of Saints the Collumnes whereon St. Paul was decapitated and a stone wch they usually fastened to the Feet of the Martyrs for their greater torment In the Chapel of Porta Celi are the reliques of 2203 Persons martyred by Nero. whence at a small distance is the Tre Fontane or three Fountains the place of Saint Pauls Martyrdome fully restored and beautifyed by Clement the 8th whose head being cut off took three leaps and at each Leap a spring arose and still runs with clear waters The Seaventh of the Principal Churches of ROME called S. PIETRO in VATICANO FOR Beauty sumptuousness Artifice and Worth not only Rome but the whole world yeelds this meritoriously a precedency to all other Churches especially in that part built in later times to which Sixtus the 5th added a noble Cupolo wherein are figured the Celestial Hierarchy in pieces of Mosaick that the beholders believe them painted And Gregory the 13th as glorious a Chappel in honour of Saint Gregorie Nazianzene wherein he was buried Without doubt it is the most perfect model of decent Magnificence in the World there being an answerable uniformity within and without And may justly be compared if not said to surpass the Temple of Diana in Ephesus formerly accounted one of the seaven wonders of the world burnt by Herostratus who by that horrid Act sought rather to perpetuate his name than to ly unremembred in his Grave The Old Church had 24 collumnes of so various coloured Marble as are not matchable which were taken from the adjacent Sepulchre of Adrian the Emperour who was most exquisite in all his works Those other Pillars in the Chappel of the holy Sacrament and those that support the Volto Santo that is the Towel of Veronica with some others were transported from Ierusalem into Italy by Titus Vespasianus and taken out of the Temple and Palace of Solomon after that the Iews were wholly overcome and their said City destroyed The top is all of squares Levati as they call it like the Pantheon in the Center of the Church stands the great Altar all of solid Brass in such stupendious pillars that each weighs 25000. pound and is of so incomparable workemanship that no Cathedral but St. Peters is fit to entertain it Herein is the Sepulchre of the Emperour Otho the second buried in anno 1486. in porphirie A greater porphyre stone then this Italy affords nor except that of Santa Maria Rotonda the Sepulture of Theodorick King of the Ostrogothes This was one of the five Patriarchal Churches and the old part was built by the Emperour Constantine the great who caused it
Pelestrina named Suffucius by frequent advices and menaces which he had in his dreams was commanded to break out of a certain place a great flint stone wherat all the other Citizens his Compatriots fell a laughing but when the stone was broke the Lots or Chaunces suddenly leaped forth engraven in antient Letters which occasioned their honouring of Fortune in that place and thence became the place by little and little enclosed and shut up through respect of the Image of Jupiter there devoutly adored by the Matrons in form of a boy childe sitting with Juno in the lap of Fortune in a posture as seeking out the breast and teat and that at the same time after the Temple of Fortune was built there dropped honey from an olive tree wherewith by commandement of the Southsayers was made a chest and therein those Lotts were reposed the which were mingled and drawn out by a litle boyes hand when ever they would see the issue of any thing as Fortune had at large directed her intention to be that after this manner they should draw out the Lots This observation was most antient and such as affirm L. Sylla to be the builder of this Temple deceive themselves Which errour they took up from their reading the thirty sixth book of Pliny who doth not say L. Sylla built that Temple but that he began to make its pavement with small stones of various colours in small figures of which pavement thus wrought some yeers since certain parts were found under ground and therein figured many forrein creatures with their names in greek It may then be rationally believed that L. Sylla being victorious in the civil warrs after he had enforced C. Marius the younger to dye and his other enemies who had saved themselves in Preneste after a long siege took the City killing some part and selling others of the Citizens but repenting afterwards his impietie expressed against the sacred places for expiation of that crime he resolved to restore and embellish anew the Temple profaned and almost wholly destroyed by him It seems a notable advise and observation to me that the strength of the scite of this City hath occasioned its own destruction which hath had a much contrary event in all other strong holds The cause whereof is attributed to the assured confidence of the strength of the place for which cause in the civil warrs the weaker part ordinarily fled thither for safety but their enemies being stronger and more potent immediately layed siege to it so that at the end if they surrendred not themselves the besiegers ruined the poor City whence we read that in the following times of civil discord the Pelestrini that they might not undergoe so great misery as formerly they had done abandoned their City and retired to their dwellings To this day appear there many subterranean waies from the Castle to the foot of the adjacent mountains besides the Caves used as conservatories for water which were made for introducing of assistance or to fly the City occultly into one of which C. Marius the younger having withdrawn himself and perceiving himself to be beseiged on all sides so that he could not fly that he might not living fall into the hands of his enemies agreed with Telesinus to run one against the other with their naked swords so to kill themselves by which means Telesinus was slain but Mvrius remained alive thorugh desperatly wounded and soon after caused one of his Seâ—vants to make an end of his then begun death by killing him From which successes the Inhabitants of the place believe the stones of those subterranean waies to be still reddish with the bloud spilt there which yet is not so for over all those hills are stones red by nature and not through any accident of blood spilt thereon Preneste was first a free City and confederate with the Romans having its own Praetor as Livy and Festus declare calling her Municipal Appianus saies that the Prenestini at the time of the Italian war were made Citizens of Rome with the â—iburtini but some time after L. Sylla victorious as Cicero speaks in Catalines conspiracy having emptied this City by slaughters and banishments and deprived her of inhabitants by the many expulsions slaughters and banishments he made of them there remained so few inhabitants that he sent of the Romans to dwell there dividing its Territory among the new comers and thus made it a Roman Colony Aulus Gellius saies in the third Chapter of his 16. book that afterwards the Prenestini obtained of Tiberius Augustus a restoration to their first state that is into the condition of free Citizens having the form of a Colony wholly amoved from their City TIVOLI WHen arrived at Tivoli first go see those gardens which Hippolitus Estense Cardinal of Ferrara planted with so much cost many yeers since upon the back of the mountain together with a proud Pallace which also is beautifyed with old statues Pictures and royal houshold stuffe even to the emulation of the greatness and magnificence of the Antients But who is able with sufficiency ever to display in words the exquisite delights costs pleasure wherewith this place and palace is plentifully furnished and who shall relate the Labyrinths the Groves the half circles the triumphant Arches the Arches laden with old statues the Caverns of the Nymphs and the innumerable fountains which every where sprout forth waters the close walkes and beautifull arbours covered with trees herbs and tender branches and other like verts Ubertus Folieta of Genoua heretofore described it most gratiously But Corona Pighio cannot satiate himself with praising of it who published descriptions of that Palace and the gardens in Rome stamped from brasse cuts the view whereof in my opinion may draw as many persons to behold it as Rome doth with all its wonders Although we have scarce courage enough yet conformable to that published Table will we cursorily describe it for satisfaction of such as have not had the good fortune to see them or at least their draught in picture First then the Hill is levelled at top and upon the plain thereon is erected the Palace built of square stones with the grandure and magnificence of a Royal palace and with exquisite art and proportion On the right hand whereof lie enclosed gardens called Secreti and therein sixteen great marble Goblets emit clear waters in the midst whereof sits a Janus Quadrifrons with four faces higher raised then those goblets which makes four other fountains adorned like looking glasses and on the right hand a Tennis Court and other sumptuous places for exercise The forefront hath between the windows many old statues of Marble as hath the first Porticue from which lead two fair stone staire-cases up into the palaces Before this Porticue in the midst of a Piazza stands a Leda which Leda was wife of Tyndarus King of Laconia with whom as Poets feign Jupiter accompanying she brought forth two eggs of the one whereof came