Gaeta, Latina

Gaeta is a picturesque port city on the coastline of Italy in the province of Latina. It is located on a promontory overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea in what is known as the Ulysses Riviera (la riviera di Ulisse), also known as the Gulf of Gaeta, where according to legend, Ulysses, or Odysseus in Greek mythology, came to meet the enchantress Circe on his way back from the Trojan War. It is a popular seaside resort town which dates back to ancient Rome, known for its beautiful beaches such as Sérapo and Sant’Agostino, and where the famous purplish black olives originated from.

Serapo beach, Gaeta

Serapo beach, Gaeta, seen from the top of the sanctuary at Montagna Spaccata.

Gaeta has many wonderful natural and historical attractions one should visit.

Montagna Spaccata

The grotto at Montagna Spaccata

One such place that is not to be missed is the mysterious natural sea grotto, Montagna Spaccata, or Split Mountain, where the Sanctuary of Santissima Trinità is located. According to local stories, God was so distraught at the crucifixion of Christ that He made the earth shake and let out a lightning bolt which split this mountain in two. A chapel was built upon this location to honor this event.

Torre di Sant'Agostino, Gaeta

Torre di Sant’Agostino, Gaeta

The tower at Sant’Agostino beach is one of the many lookout points that were set up so that towns along the coastline could warn each other of invaders.

Castello Angioino Aragonese

The medieval Castello Angioino Aragonese

Castello Angioino Aragonese is a medieval castle that was built around the 6th century to protect against invasions. The lower part was built during the rule of the House of the French Anjou and the upper part by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.  It served as a fortress during the Goth Wars and then during the invasion of the Lombards, and most recently served as a military prison.

Via Flacca is the scenic road that connects Formia to Terracina

Via Flacca

Via Flacca is the scenic coastal road that connects Formia to Terracina, and leads into Via Appia to Rome in the north, and to Naples in the south.

Nato naval base, Gaeta, on the left

Nato naval base (white building on left)

It is also where NATO’s US naval base of operations is located.

Gaeta as seen from Formia

Gaeta as seen from Formia

For travel arrangements go to Travel and Tourism.

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Formia, Latina

The charming city of Formia is located at the foot of the Aurunci Mountains in the province of Latina, along the Ulysses Riviera (la riviera di Ulisse), also known as the Gulf of Gaeta, where according to legend, Ulysses, or Odysseus in Greek mythology, came to meet the enchantress Circe on his way back from the Trojan War.

It has historical significance being situated on the famous Via Appia, which was built by the Roman Empire and much travelled by the ancient Romans. It is a resilient town, being destroyed in 842 by the Saracens, then again during World War II, and rebuilt to its current splendor.

The coastline is dotted with many beautiful beaches and resorts. The main street which is packed with people out for a stroll on a warm spring or summer night is filled with little shops and places to grab a pizza or gelato.

Mountains overlooking Formia

Aurunci Mountains overlooking Formia

Some of its popular attractions include the Tomb and Villa of Cicero (also known as Villa Rubino), the Tower of Mola (top photo), the Archeological Museum, and ruins of prehistoric megalithic walls.

Tomb of Cicero

Tomb of Cicero (Photo credit: pietroizzo via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA)

If you like visiting churches, not to be missed are Santa Maria di Castagneto, the oldest church in Formia, the church of San Giovanni Battista e Lorenzo, and of Sant’ Erasmo, one of the patron saints of Formia (along with San Giovanni).

Church of Santa Maria di Castagneto, Formia

Church of Santa Maria di Castagneto (Photo credit: Raffaele Vallefuoco Flickr.com)

Formia, province of Latina

Formia, seen from Gaeta

For travel arrangements go to Travel and Tourism.

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