And it is actually among the modern buildings that one can still catch sight of the ruins of the old agricultural structures: small fortified constructions capable of warding off attacks from marauders or brigands. From the available documentation it turns out that for example as early as the 10th C. the Monte Gentilis castrum, on the right of the via Nomentana as it leaves Rome, was a small fortified castle, with defensive watchtowers strategically arranged in the vicinity. Some of these, such as the so called Monte Gentile torraccia, can still be seen today.