The cyclopean walls of the Acropolis of Alatri belong to the tradition of the so-called Saturnian cities, a group of fortified centers in Lazio characterized by majestic polygonal masonry walls.
According to legend, these cities, including Alatri, Ferentino, Anagni, Arpino, and Segni, were founded by Saturn during the Golden Age.
Alatri represents one of the best-preserved locations of this ancient tradition. Its walls are made up of enormous polymorphic blocks fitting perfectly together without mortar.
Porta Maggiore of the cyclopean walls of Alatri, a Saturnian city. © 2025 by Lost World Map is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Ancient scholars such as Petit-Radel (an archaeologist born in Paris in 1756, who traveled from Rome to Naples in 1792) hypothesized very remote origins for the site, before 1500 BC. However, most modern archaeologists date it much later, leaning towards an Hernican origin with significant Roman-era renovations.
Megalithic block of the Porta Maggiore of the cyclopean walls of Alatri, a Saturnian city. © 2025 by Lost World Map is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
This project aims to honor Louis-Charles-François Petit-Radel for being one of the first to notice the paradox of structures made with small, imprecise stones in the upper part and interlocking monolithic blocks without mortar in the lower part. [Does this remind you of anything around the world? – Jack].
