The name derives from the presence of a Roman villa owned by Caius Brutius Presentis, Commodus' father-in-law. In the Middle Ages, starting from the 15th century, it was a fortress of the Orsini, who were succeeded by the Barberini and then by the Sciarra.
In 1867 it was the location of a battle between Garibaldine and Papal troops, in the course of the Battle of Mentana.