ITINERARIO LATINA-CAPOPORTIERE-LAGO DI FOGLIANO-LAGO DI CAPROLACE-LAGO DI PAOLA-S.FELICE CIRCEO-FONTE DI LUCULLO-SABAUDIA-LATINA
Torna all'elenco
(Length: about 70 km inside the Circeo National Park). Heading towards the coast from Latina to Capoportiere, and then taking the coast road (Lungomare) southwards it is possible to reach the entrance to CIRCEO NATIONAL PARK, an area of great beauty and delightful peace and quiet. The coast is characterized by two distinct natural features: a series of coastal dunes and Fogliano coastal lake. The entrance to the park – and the Villa Fogliano - is at the intersection between Via del Mare and the Lungomare. The Lungomare also runs past three other coastal lakes (Lake Monaci, Lake Caprolace and Lake Paola (also known as Lake Sabaudia)) which, together with Lake Fogliano, are fundamental resting places for migratory birds. Continuing along the coast road, at Rio Martino it is necessary to head inland as the road is closed to traffic for 3 km in order to allow the passage of a small river. The coastal road can nevertheless be followed on foot. From Borgo Grappa it is necessary to take Via Litoranea for 2 km in order to reach the first right hand turning back to the coast. Flanking Lake Caprolace and Lake Paola, the Via Litoranea eventually leads to the foot of the northern slope of the Circeo Promontory, Quarto Freddo, which is covered with a thick Mediterranean woodland. Of considerable historic and archeological interest is the 16th century Torre Paola, a tower erected in order to defend the Roman port and channel which connect Lake Paola to the sea. Approximately 4 kilometres after Torre Paola, a winding road climbs the hill to SAN FELICE CIRCEO (98 metres above sea level ), a seaside town of ancient origins mentioned in the story of Ulysses who was lured to these shores by the Witch Circe. The town centre is entered via an arched gate. Inside the city wall there is a 13th century Templars’ Tower (Torre dei Templari) and a baronial palace (which now houses the municipal offices and a permanent exhibition focusing on Homo Sapiens and Habitat). The narrow lanes of the town centre are lined with shops, bars and boutiques. Three roads lead out of San Felice Circeo: one to Crocette and the Circeji Acropolis; one which follows the coast southwards to Quarto Caldo (Via del Faro) offering splendid views as far as the Pontine islands; and one which leads to the sandy beaches which line the coast as far as Terracina. Proof that the area was inhabited in prehistoric times can be found at the Neanderthal Hotel, in whose Guattàri Grotto (which can be visited on appointment), archaeologists found a 50,000 year old human cranium, and in the various grottoes lining the coastline (including the Grotta delle Capre, which can only be visited by boat together with an authorized guide). The religious buildings of note in the town of San Felice Circeo include the church of S. Maria degli Angeli which houses one of the six authentic reproductions of the Turin shroud in its Sindone sanctuary, while approximately one mile offshore, at a depth of 18 metres, lies a Statue of Christ. Leaving San Felice Circeo on the coast road and heading inland to Fonte di Lucullo, it is possible to visit a delightful oligomineral water spring which flows through a Roman grotto in the middle of a wood while in the village of Palazzo it is possible to take a guided tour (information at Circeo National Park Visitors’ Centre) of the Villa of Domitian, a splendid Roman imperial coastal villa located in the heart of the Circe Forest in Circeo National Park. With the exclusion of a few reserved areas, the park can be explored freely by visitors throughout the year. Further along the coast road lies the town of SABAUDIA, a seaside resort which is also home to Circeo National Park Visitors’ Centre and Museum. Another fine documentation centre is the Claudia Ortese School and Marsh Health Centre at Lestra Cocuzza. Inaugurated in 1935, the town of Sabaudia offers many fine examples of rationalist architecture such as the municipal offices, the former Casa del Fascio, the hotel, the former barracks, the post office, the ONMI (Opera Nazionale Maternità ed Infanzia) building, the cinema and the naval barracks (Caserma Piave). The religious buildings of note include the church of Annunziata, whose Royal chapel was donated to the church by Queen Margherita, and the Sanctuary of Sorresca which stands on a peninsular in the lake. Other places of interest in Sabaudia include the Marcello Zei Civic Museum of the Sea and Coast, the Emilio Greco Museum and the Decorated Divine Comedy Exhibition. Before returning to Latina, it is worth stopping at Ponte Giovanni XXIII, on Sabaudia Lake, in order to view the Circeo Promontory in all its splendour.
