According to some historians, Monterotondo is the heir of ancient Sabine town of Eretum, although the modern settlement appeared in the 10th-11th centuries in a different location. The name derives from the medieval corruption of the original Mons Eretum. In the Middle Ages, due to its location across the Via Salaria, Monterotondo was a strategic point for the defense of Rome. Initially under the Capocci family, it was sold in the 12th century to the Orsini, who held it until the 18th century. In 1432 it was seized by the condottieroNiccolò Fortebraccio, and in 1485, it was set on fire by the Orsini. In 1634 the Barberini acquired the town, restoring or enlarging several edifices, and building the cathedral. On 28 April 1864 the Rome and Monterotondo Rail Road was opened for service. In 1943, after the Italian armistice with the Allies, 800 German paratroopers tried unsuccessfully to reconquer it.
The European Molecular Biology Laboratory outstation in Rome is actually situated in Monterotondo. Its research is focused on Epigenetics and Neurobiology. It has become established as a basic researchcenter of excellence and innovation in mouse genetics and functional genomics. It captures new opportunities and applications of mouse genetic manipulation. Alliances with other European academic research and clinical centers have established EMBL Rome as a hub for the international mouse research network which exploits applications of mouse genetic manipulation to biomedical problems.
Sports
was the major football club of the city. The club played in Serie D several times. However, the club started to play in Rome and renamed to Polisportiva Monterotondo Lupa in 2011 and again relocated to Maccarese, Fiumicino as Pol. Maccarese Giada in 2013. In 2014 that team was folded. Another team of the city, Atletico Monterotondo, merged with another football club from Marino and started to play in Eccellenza Lazio in 2013 as A.S.D. Monterotondo Calcio. In 2016 the club merged with another team A.S.D. Eretum, to become A.S.D. Eretum Monterotondo. The third team of the city, Real Monterotondo Scalo, located in frazione of Monterotondo. The team promoted from Promozione Lazio to Eccellenza Lazio in 2016.
