Blera is a small town and comune in the northern Lazio region of Italy. It was known during the Middle Ages as Bieda, an evolved form of its ancient name, which was restored in the twentieth century. It is the birthplace of Pope Sabinian; Pope Paschal II was also originally thought to be from here.

It is situated on a long, narrow tongue of rock at the junction of two deep glens.

History

In ancient times, Blera was an Etruscan town on the Via Clodia. It was of little importance, and is known to be mentioned only by geographers and in inscriptions. The hill of Selvasecca lies about 6 km southwest of Blera itself. The villa site is marked by a courtyard building that includes a remarkable vaulted cistern built using opus caementicium. There is also evidence that architectural terracottas were produced at the site. The implications of the villa itself have been recently re-visited.

References

  • Official website
  • George Dennis on Blera (Chapter 17 of Cities and Cemeteries of Etruria)