Volcanic activity under King Tullus Hostilius on the site was reported by Livy in his book of Roman history:[1] "...there had been a shower of stones on the Alban Mount...".

In 531 BC, King Tarquinius Superbus built here a temple shared with the Latins, the Hernici and the Volsci, where every year celebrations in honor of Jupiter Latiaris were held.

In the Early Middle Ages the temple of Iuppiter Latiaris was replaced by a hermitage devoted to Saint Peter, built by a Dalmatian hermit.

The Passionists came in 1758 and restored it in 1783, using the materials of the temple of Jupiter, as found and raised by Henry Benedict Stuart, Duke of York,[1] bishop of Frascati.

In 1890 the structure was converted to a hotel that entertained national and international personalities, among others: Umberto II of Italy, Massimo d'Azeglio, Luigi Pirandello, Armando Diaz (who sojourned in Rocca di Papa and was remembered with a commemorative headstone mail in the residence on De Rossi palace) and the former King Edward VIII with his wife Wallis Simpson.