Ancient Praeneste (modern Palestrina) lies about 36 kilometres east of Rome and was the hill site for the 2nd century BC sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Fortuna Primigenia. Abandoned and built over, the upper slopes were dominated from the late medieval period by the Palazzo Barberini, above a labyrinth of narrow streets. The remains of Palestrina were recorded and reconstructed in drawings by architects from the 16th century onwards.

LITERATURE. D. Hemsoll & E. Caplin, Palestrina: the Temple of Fortun as an inspiration to architects, catalogue of an exhibition at the RIBA Heinz Gallery, 1989.