# Rocca d'Arce > Italian comune **Wikidata**: [Q117204](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117204) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocca_d'Arce) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rocca-d-arce ## Summary Rocca d'Arce is an Italian comune (municipality) located in the Province of Frosinone in the Lazio region of central Italy. The small hill town sits at coordinates 41.583333° N latitude and 13.583333° E longitude, situated within the historical territory of Ciociaria. The comune encompasses the main settlement of Rocca d'Arce along with two frazioni (fractional administrative divisions): Fraioli and Madonna di Paris. ## Key Facts - **Official Name:** Rocca d'Arce - **Administrative Type:** Comune (municipality) of Italy - **Region:** Lazio - **Province:** Frosinone (since 1927) - **Country:** Italy - **Coordinates:** 41.583333° N, 13.583333° E - **Population:** 945, 936, 885 (varying census counts) - **Website:** http://www.comune.roccadarce.fr.it - **Wikipedia Title:** Rocca d'Arce - **Wikidata Description:** Italian comune - **Sitelink Count:** 53 - **Frazioni:** Fraioli, Madonna di Paris - **Part of:** Comune of Italy classification (municipal divisions of Italy) ## FAQs **Where is Rocca d'Arce located?** Rocca d'Arce is located in the Province of Frosinone in the Lazio region of central Italy, situated at coordinates 41.583333° N latitude and 13.583333° E longitude. The comune is part of the historical area known as Ciociaria. **What type of administrative division is Rocca d'Arce?** Rocca d'Arce is classified as a comune, which is the fundamental administrative unit in Italy analogous to a municipality or town. Comuni are the smallest administrative divisions in Italy and have their own local government. **What settlements are part of Rocca d'Arce's territory?** The comune of Rocca d'Arce includes the main town of Rocca d'Arce and two frazioni (smaller settlements): Fraioli and Madonna di Paris. These are administrative subdivisions that fall under the jurisdiction of the comune. **When was the Province of Frosinone established?** The Province of Frosinone was established in 1927. Rocca d'Arce has been part of this province since its inception, prior to which the territory fell under different provincial jurisdictions. **What is the population of Rocca d'Arce?** Rocca d'Arce has a population of approximately 945, 936, or 885 residents depending on the census year. The varying figures reflect population changes across different census periods. ## Why It Matters Rocca d'Arce represents a traditional Italian hill town that embodies the cultural and administrative heritage of the Lazio region. As a comune, it serves as the fundamental unit of local governance in Italy, providing essential public services, administrative functions, and community organization for its residents. The town's location in the Province of Frosinone places it within an area of significant historical importance in central Italy, known for its medieval architecture, agricultural traditions, and cultural identity. The comune system in Italy, of which Rocca d'Arce is a part, represents a cornerstone of Italian administrative organization. With over 7,900 comuni nationwide, these municipalities form the backbone of local governance, managing everything from civil registration and urban planning to local taxation and public services. Rocca d'Arce's existence as a comune demonstrates the continuity of Italy's municipal administrative structure that has evolved since the unification of Italy in 1861. The presence of frazioni within Rocca d'Arce—specifically Fraioli and Madonna di Paris—illustrates the complex administrative geography of Italian municipalities, where smaller settlements maintain their distinct identities while being part of a larger municipal framework. This structure preserves local heritage and community ties while allowing for coordinated regional administration. ## Notable For - **Traditional Hill Town Location:** Situated at an elevated position typical of medieval defensive settlements in central Italy - **Administrative Continuity:** Part of Italy's comune system, the fundamental unit of local government since national unification - **Frazioni Structure:** Includes two distinct settlements (Fraioli and Madonna di Paris) that maintain individual identities within the municipal framework - **Ciociaria Region:** Located in the historical and cultural region of Ciociaria, known for its distinctive traditions, cuisine, and landscape - **Provincial Heritage:** Part of the Province of Frosinone since its establishment in 1927 ## Body ### Geography and Location Rocca d'Arce is situated in the Lazio region of central Italy, specifically within the Province of Frosinone. The comune occupies a hilltop position at coordinates 41.583333° N latitude and 13.583333° E longitude, a location characteristic of many medieval Italian settlements that were established on elevated terrain for defensive purposes. The town's geographical positioning places it within the broader area known as Ciociaria, a historical and cultural region in southern Lazio characterized by its rolling hills, agricultural lands, and traditional villages. The territory of Rocca d'Arce encompasses not only the main settlement but also extends to include the frazioni of Fraioli and Madonna di Paris. These smaller settlements represent distinct communities that, while administratively part of the comune, maintain their own local identities and geographical locations within the municipal boundaries. ### Administrative Structure As an Italian comune, Rocca d'Arce functions as a municipal corporation with its own local government, website (http://www.comune.roccadarce.fr.it), and administrative responsibilities. The comune classification represents one of the oldest forms of local government in Italy, dating back to the medieval period and continuing through the modern era as the fundamental unit of territorial organization in the Italian Republic. The comune falls under the jurisdiction of the Province of Frosinone, which was officially established in 1927. Prior to this date, the territory would have been part of a different provincial configuration, likely the Province of Caserta or another neighboring province, reflecting the administrative reorganizations that occurred during the Fascist period in Italy. The Province of Frosinone itself is part of the Lazio region, one of Italy's 20 administrative regions, and contains numerous comuni that share historical, cultural, and geographical characteristics. ### Population and Demographics The population of Rocca d'Arce is recorded at approximately 945, 936, or 885 residents, depending on the specific census year referenced. These figures place Rocca d'Arce among the smaller comuni in Italy, consistent with the pattern of population distribution in the interior hill towns of central Italy, where many municipalities experienced population decline during the 20th century due to urbanization and migration toward larger cities and coastal areas. The demographic profile of Rocca d'Arce reflects broader trends affecting small Italian municipalities, including an aging population and challenges related to maintaining public services in low-density areas. The population figures represent the residents within the municipal boundaries, including those living in the main town and the frazioni of Fraioli and Madonna di Paris. ### Relationship to Italian Administrative System Rocca d'Arce exists within Italy's hierarchical administrative structure, which consists of regions, provinces, and comuni. The comune of Italy classification, to which Rocca d'Arce belongs, represents the lowest level of administrative division in Italy—below regions and provinces—while maintaining significant autonomy in local matters. There are approximately 7,900 comuni throughout Italy, each serving as the primary point of contact between citizens and local government. The classification "comune of Italy" encompasses municipalities of vastly different sizes, from large cities like Rome and Milan to small hill towns like Rocca d'Arce. Despite their differences in population and economic activity, all comuni share the same basic administrative functions and legal status under Italian law. This uniform system ensures consistent governance across Italy's diverse territorial landscape. ### Connected Settlements The frazioni of Rocca d'Arce—Fraioli and Madonna di Paris—represent important components of the municipal territory. Fraioli, with a sitelink count of 6, and Madonna di Paris, with a sitelink count of 5, are smaller settlements that fall under the administrative jurisdiction of the comune. These fractional divisions are common in Italian municipalities, particularly in mountainous and hilly regions where the main settlement may not encompass all residents within a contiguous urban area. The relationship between a comune and its frazioni is purely administrative; residents of frazioni are citizens of the comune and receive municipal services through the central administration. However, frazioni often maintain distinct historical identities, local festivals, and sometimes even separate parish churches or community facilities. ### Regional Context: Lazio and Ciociaria Rocca d'Arce is located in Lazio, the region surrounding Rome, which serves as the capital of Italy. Lazio encompasses a diverse range of geographical features, from the coastal areas of the Tyrrhenian Sea to the inland mountains and hills of the Apennine range. The Province of Frosinone, specifically, occupies the southern portion of Lazio and shares borders with the regions of Abruzzo, Molise, and Campania. The area known as Ciociaria, which includes Rocca d'Arce, is a historical and cultural region in southern Lazio characterized by its distinctive traditions, agricultural products, and architectural heritage. The name derives from the traditional footwear (ciocie) worn by local farmers and shepherds. The region is known for its production of agricultural products, including olive oil, wine, and various culinary specialties. ### Historical Context The establishment of the Province of Frosinone in 1927 marked a significant administrative change for Rocca d'Arce and surrounding municipalities. Prior to this date, the territory was administered under different provincial arrangements. The creation of the province reflected the growing need for decentralized administration in Italy during the early 20th century. The comune system itself traces its roots to the medieval period, when Italian cities and towns developed communal forms of self-governance. This tradition continued through the unification of Italy in 1861, when the new Italian state inherited and standardized the existing municipal structures across the peninsula. Today, the legal framework for comuni is established by the Italian Constitution and various legislative acts that define their powers, responsibilities, and organizational structures. ### Digital Presence and Information Access Rocca d'Arce maintains an online presence through its official website at http://www.comune.roccadarce.fr.it, which serves as a point of access for citizens and visitors seeking information about local services, administrative procedures, and community events. The comune also has a Wikipedia article titled "Rocca d'Arce" and a corresponding Wikidata entry that describes it as an Italian comune. The sitelink count of 53 indicates the number of Wikipedia language editions that contain links to the Rocca d'Arce article, reflecting a moderate level of international awareness and documentation. This digital presence, while modest compared to larger Italian cities, represents the increasing digitization of local government services and the availability of information about smaller Italian municipalities to a global audience. ## References 1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 2. Italian National Institute of Statistics 3. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html) 4. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it) 5. GeoNames 6. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224) 7. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia 8. Seismic classification in Italy 9. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)