Benvenuti / Welcome to

Sonnino

The ancient town of Sonnino is situated high on a hill at a height of 450 metres, which is surrounded by the Ausoni Moutains. It is believed that it takes its name from the Latin word “Sommum” meaning “summit” and that it had been a settlement of the ancient Volsci tribe of people before it was eventually taken over by the Romans. The remains of a Roman villa have been found in the Sassa district of Sonnino.

During the 8th century the inhabitants of the Pontine Marshes found themselves under constant threat of invasion by Saracen barbarians. The destruction of the town of Privernum (now known as Priverna) caused many of its people to flee and seek refuge in higher, less accessible territory. Towards the end of the 9th century a castle or castrum, was strategically built at the highest point of the hill of Sant'Angelo, by the De Sompenino family, who were the first feudal lords of this town.

A 30 metre tall cylindrical watch tower, known as la Torre Antonelli, was built which provided commanding views of the surrounding territory.

By the mid 16th century a new perimeter of protective walls was built to incorporate and defend the every growing community.

Today, sadly little exists of the castle except for the remains of the Torre Antonelli and a few ancient frescoes in a section of the old palace. However, the Medieval historic centre of the town is a maze of narrow winding streets, alleys, stairways, arches, porticos and gateways.