Campbell, Elizabeth (1783 – 1861) – Italy; Lazio, ‘Porta Sanguinaria, Ferentino’.

EXTRACT FROM THE ARTIST'S JOURNAL: The Porta Sanguinaria is the only remaining entrance in the polygonal walls, & is well worthy of a visit, not only massive & picturesque in itself, but the country seen beyond has a most pleasing effect. How it obtained so ominous a name is lost in the lapse of ages. - La Dionigia in her "Viaggi in alcune città del Lazio," the fine cities attributed to Saturn, namely Ferentino, Alatri, Afsino, & Atina, is unable to come to any certainty but hazards the probability of the name originating in the seizure of the city by force of arms by L. Sulpicius & C. Licinius, when one most probably a carnage & slaughter was made. - She is of opinion from the difficulty of the ascent, that it was the principal entrance to the town, & from its steepness, & ending at the summit with the precipice on one side & commanded by the wall on the other it would be difficult for the attack of an enemy. - Livy - 11th April, 1826.