Uncovering gems in southern Lazio

Lazio is the region where Rome is situated, and while all foreign visitors are sure to visit the Eternal City, few take the opportunity to venture beyond to discover the surrounding area. While we have already shared 6 gems in northern Lazio,  we’ll now unveil some gems in southern Lazio, offering you more reasons for you to head out of Rome to discover these fascinating places.

Uncovering 6 gems in southern Lazio 

1. Nemi Lake

Just 30 kilometers south of Rome, in the Colli Albani (Alban Hills), there is a very romantic and quaint town, Nemi, that overlooks its namesake lake. This place is renowned for its “fragoline selvatiche”, little wild strawberries which are delicious. In every corner of this tiny town and in the gardens around the lake you can find charming bars and cafés, whose speciality is a tasty little cake made with wild strawberries and cream. People of all ages come here for a pleasant walk and naturally to also enjoy this sweet treat.

Photo credit: Roberta Parisi

2. The Garden of Ninfa

Considered an Italian Natural Monument since 2000, the Garden of Ninfa is described as “the most romantic garden in the world”. The town of Ninfa has origins that date back to Roman times and got its name from a temple dedicated to the nymphs of Spring.

The gardens around the ancient ruins were restored during the early 20th Century by the Caetani Foundation set up for the Caetani family, the dukes that owned the area since Middle Ages. Today, more than 1300 species of plants and flowers bloom over ruined towers and walls. Their colors reflect on water streams and on the lake, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere. An enchanting place that is really worth a visit.

In order to preserve its delicate environmental setting, the Garden of Ninfa is opened to the public only on selected weekends from April to November. For more details, visit the official website.

Photo credit: BrowsingItaly.com

3. Sermoneta

From the 13th Century on, the Caetani family used to also own the nearby town of Sermoneta and the work done to strengthen and adorn the Castle is thanks to this family. Still today, you’ll see the main tower of that fortress overlooks the entire Pontina Plain. Entering the ancient walls, on your left, there is an impressive staircase that leads to one of the best panoramic point of this area.

The whole town preserves the medieval atmosphere and many houses and public buildings still have rough stonewalls. Noteworthy are the Cattedrale of Santa Maria Assunta, a fine example of Romanesque Architecture, and the Loggia dei Mercanti, a building realized by the command of Onorato Caetani in 1442. The building was used for holding public assemblies and was the seat of the Municipality and it continues to have the same function today.

Photo credit: Roberta Parisi

4. Sperlonga-Gaeta

Nearly equidistant from Rome and Naples, on the Tyrrhenian Sea there are two amazing towns: Sperlonga and Gaeta. Both towns have ancient origins and legends have it that Ulysses’ ship docked here. A must-see in Sperlonga is Tiberius’ Cave: a cave on the beach that was once part of the Roman Emperor Tiberius’ Villa and where many sculptures representing the adventures of Ulysses were found.

The ancient town of Sperlonga was established on a crag and today tiny white houses rise up on the rocks. Gaeta is lower than sea-level, and an intriguing myth behind it too: the name Gaeta derives from “Caieta”, Aeneas’ nurse. In this area you find powdery white sand and the water beautiful shades of blue, a real paradise that has been awarded the Blue Flag since 1998.

Photo credit: Wlodi

5. San Felice Circeo

Wherever you are on Lazio coast, your eyes will be surely attracted to the Circeo Promontory. Its particular shape has always inspired the fantasy of travelers’ that conjures it up as magicians’ or heroes’ residence. Indeed, its outline reminds us of a laid feminine figure, that today is commonly recognized as the one of the witch-goddess Circe and on the peak of the Circeo Promontory there are still the ruins of a Greek Temple dedicated to her.

San Felice Circeo is the town that rises on the promontory. The center of the town is charming: the square is dominated by the 13th Century tower that belonged to Templar Knights, the tiny streets are spotted with the typical vegetation of the Mediterranean area as well as boasting nice bars and excellent restaurants make San Felice Circeo the favorite summer destination of Rome residents.

Photo credit: Roberta Parisi

6. Fossanova

Fossanova is a medieval village enclosed in the picturesque frame of Cistercian Saint Mary Abbey. The church is considered one of the finest examples of early Gothic architecture in Italy. It is flanked on one side by a lovely cloister with luxuriant vegetation and classical pilasters, the refectory and the Benedictine chapter house; and on the other side by the cemetery. Other buildings belonging to the convent, like the hospital and a guesthouse, are scattered all around the walled enclosure.

Fossanova obtained the Bandiera Arancione, (a recognition of quality awarded by the Touring Club Italiano to small towns in Italy for excellency in tourism, hospitality and the environment) thanks to the perfect preservation of its historical buildings and to the hospitality of its inhabitants. It is renowned also for a Medieval Festival that takes place in August.

Photo credit: Piergiorgio Marinello

Author’s Bio: Roberta was born in Latina (Lazio region), but when she was just few months old, she moved with her parents to different towns and cities around Italy. This made her develop a passion for traveling and discovering local cultures. Today Roberta works as a freelance translator and writer, and also collaborates with local newspapers.