THE MONASTERIES OF LAZIO
St Benedict founded the Abbey of Montecassino around 529 and there wrote his famous Rule. Based on the principles of prayer, study and manual labour, this became the fundamental monastic code of western Europe. The Cistercian Order, an off-shoot of the Benedictines, came to Italy from Burgundy in the 12th century. The Cistercians were followers of St Bernard, whose creed was based on austerity and self sufficiency, qualities which were reflected in the simple, early Gothic architecture of their monasteries. Their first abbey was at Fossanova. Other Cistercian abbeys in Lazio include Valvisciolo (northeast of Sermoneta) and San Martino in Cimino (near Lago di Vico).

The Abbey of Montecassino was destroyed during World War 2, and was rebuilt as a replica of its 17th century predecessor.

The Abbey of San Benedetto, Subiaco, was founded in the 11th century over St Benedict’s care. A staircase carved in the rock leads to the grotto where he preached to shepherds.

The Abbey of Casamari 14kms (8 miles) east of Frosimone, was founded by Benedictine monks in 1035 and handed over to the Cistercians who rebuilt it in 1203.

TERRACINA

Roman Terracina was an important commercial centre on the Via Appia ( the Appian Way ). Today it is a popular seaside resort, with a fascinating collage of medieval buildings and Roman ruins in its historic centre, perched on the slopes of the Ausonian Hills. The more modern part of the town by the sea is full of restaurants, bars and hotels.

Bombing during World War 2 uncovered many of the town’s ancient structures, notably a stretch of the Appian Way and the original paving of the Roman Forum in Piazza del Municipio. The 11th century Duomo was built in the shell of a Roman Temple, and is still entered by the temple’s steps.

The medieval portico is adorned with a lovely 12th century mosaic and the interior preserves the 13th century pavement. Next door, the modern town hall houses the Museo Archeologico, devoted to local Greek and Roman finds. Three kilometres above the town are the podium and foundations which once supported the Temple of Jove Anxur, dating back to the 1st century BC. This Huge arcaded platform is illuminated at night and offers vertiginous views of Terracina and its bay.

SPERLONGA

Sperlonga is a popular seaside resort surrounded by sandy beaches. The old town sits on a rocky promontory, a picturesque labyrinth of whitewashed buildings, narrow alleyways, piazzettas and balconies offering an occasional glimpse of the sea below. It is now full of bars, restaurants and boutiques.

The modern part of town lies down on the seafront. The area around Sperlonga was a favourite retreat for the ancient Romans during the hot summer months. They built villas along the coast, and converted the natural caves in the nearby cliffs into places to dine and relax.

In 1957 archaeologists excavating the huge complex of Tiberius’s luxury villa, 1km on the southern outskirts of town, found some marvellous 2nd century BC Hellenistic sculptures in a large cave open to the sea. These sculptures, representing incidents from Homer’s Odyssey, are thought to be by the same artists from Rhodes (where the Emperor Tiberius once lived).

GAETA

According to Virgil, Gaeta was named after Aeneas’s wet nurse Caieta who was allegedly buried here. The town sits on the southern headland of the gulf of Gaeta, wedged under Monte Orlando. The historic centre is dominated by a mighty Aragonese castle and the pinnacles of mock-Gothic San Francesco. To the north, the modern quarter links Gaeta to the bay of Serapo, a popular and picturesque beach resort.

Gaeta’s most beautiful feature is the Duomo’s elegant late Romanesque bell tower, its lofty summit topped by a roof of coloured ceramic tiles. On the seafront lies the tiny 10th century church of San Giovanni a Mare, with faded frescoes, a hemispherical dome and a sloping floor to lets the sea flow out after flooding.

FONDI

Fondi is a small historic country town, only 8 meters above sea level, and lying at the foot of Mount Uruners. Half way between Rome and Naples it is on the famous Via Appia ( the Appian Way ).

The people of Fondi boast a proud tradition of Government and Senate, established "when Rome was still in nappies".