History of Ferentino

Ferentino is located north of the province of “Frosinone”, about 400 meters above sea level. Since ancient times it has maintained its name, “Ferentinum”, which, according to some scholars, derives its etymology from the Latin verb "fero-ferre", which means " to produce", reflecting the fertility of its soil. Indeed, taking into account its geographical position, the etymology would seem to have good fundamentals. G. Semerano does arise, however, the name from "Lucus Ferentinae", i.e. a wood ("Lucus") surrounding the sacred spring of water called “Ferentina”. The Sacred Wood was the venue for confederated peoples of Latium (See G. Semerano, “The Origins of European Culture”, Olschki, 1984, Vol. II, p. 850).

In addition to its strategic location, close to the major roads of central Italy, since the Middle Ages the city was a compulsory transit point to travel to the largest monasteries in the area, as  “Trisulti”, “Casamari” “Fossanova”, “Montecassino” and “Subiaco”. Around 493 BC the league of the Ernici,  of which was part “Ferentino”, came under Roman influence against  the Volsci, who was repeatedly kicked, and then finally defeated. “Ferentino” became part of the Roman State, obtaining the citizenship. Christianity took hold in this country since the beginning; many popes in the early centuries of Christian history were forced to flee from Rome and came to their refuge in Ferentino, in the Episcopal palace. With Innocent III (1160-1216), author of a reorganization of the State, Ferentino became the political center of the Upper “Ciociaria”. The last pope who lived here was Honorius III (1148-1227), who called in Ferentino Frederick II of Swabia  (1194-1250) in 1223, to persuade him to participate in the Fifth Crusade.

The presence of the papacy led to “Ferentino” many other religious orders, as well as the Benedictines, present from the beginning, came the Cistercians, Franciscans and the so-called called Knights “Gaudenti”. In the Middle Ages the city's economy had become very prosperous, thanks to agricultural development, encouraged by the fertility of the soil and the abundant presence of water. But it was also a period of particularly bitter struggles against Anagni. After the death of Pope Celestine V (1209-1296), his successor, Pope Boniface VIII (1230-1303), ordered that he be buried in the Church of “San Antonio Abate” of the Celestine in “Ferentino”. During the ensuing conflict with “Anagni”, the relics were moved into the city, but two Celestine monks, dressed as soldiers, stolen, bringing it to the city of “Aquila”. In the sixteenth century, Ferentino lost much of the role played by Pope Innocent III; in fact, the papal rulers moved their headquarters to “Anagni” and “Frosinone”. This period was also knocked down the castle and implementing the first changes of the Baroque cathedral and the Bishop's Palace. In the late eighteenth century, during the French occupation, “Ferentino” rebelled against the French and the Roman republic, forming armed forces counter. In the nineteenth and twentieth century the city had a strong urban and economic renewal, and a significant industrialization.