The wealth of Rome's attractions can only be compared with the abundance of interesting places in its vicinity. Of course, in search of impressions you can go further, since the train to the same Florence takes only 1.5 hours. But now we will not run so far: in the first part of the article, BlogoItaliano continues to explore interesting places in the vicinity of the Eternal City and shares its findings with readers.
Ostia Antica
The ancient port, considered the largest in the Roman Empire, today has become a popular tourist destination for day trips from the Eternal City. Ostia Antica It was founded during the Roman kings, and some historians consider the city to be the first Roman colony. In the following centuries, the port was actively developing, which was greatly facilitated by the attention of the emperors Tiberius and Trajan to it.
Trips to Ancient Ostia are very popular with tourists
In the time of Constantine, the port began to decline and very quickly faded. However, thanks to the art of ancient Roman architects, the city has something to see today: antique high-rise buildings, many temples and theaters, the Capitol, the necropolis are only a small part of what Ostia Antika can offer tourists.
Frascati
Frascati is a small town, which nevertheless has great historical, scientific and artistic significance. In Frascatiin particular, there are several large laboratories, many temples and villas of medieval nobility. In addition, the famous white wine, named after the city, is produced in Frascati.
Lido di Ostia
In the past, a busy seaport with amphitheaters, baths and paved bridges, today Lido di Ostia mainly attracts tourists with its beaches. However, the latter are not so much interesting during the swimming season, but outside it, because waves such as on the beach of Lido di Ostia cannot be seen in all of Italy. In addition, the city is famous for its medieval cathedral.
Sperlonga (Sperlonga)
Sperlonga is a resort town located southeast of Rome, an hour and a half away by bus or train. But not only beaches Sperlongs attract tourists: here is the national archaeological museum that keeps the memory of the magnificent palace of the Roman emperor Tiberius, built in a huge cave - the grotto of Tiberius.
Sperlonga. Cave of the Roman Emperor Tiberius
In the museum you can see thousands of statues from this once magnificent building. In general, Sperlonga is famous for its caves, thanks to which it was named.
Anzio
It is possible that the name of the city of Anzio is known to you from the history of the Second World War: there was a landing of Anglo-American troops, as a result of which Rome was taken. Anzio keeps a memory of these events: the Museum of the Allied Landing is built here.
In this city you can also see the ancient ruins, which were once luxurious villas of the Roman nobility. However, even now many residents of the Eternal City love to relax here. Anzio is an hour's drive from the capital, and undoubtedly this small port city on the Tyrrhenian Sea will delight you with its beaches.
Tarquinia
Tarquinia and its magnificent National Museum of Etruscan Art - this is where you should go to switch a little to study Roman history. Yes, and herself Tarquinia with its many tombs of the Etruscans - one continuous museum. The scenes depicted on the walls of the tombs picturesquely tell about the everyday life of the Etruscans. You can get from Rome in an hour.
The tombs of the Necropolis of Tarquinia are painted with scenes from the life of the Etruscans
Cerveteri (Cerveteri)
Cerveteri is another important place that keeps the history of the Etruscans. The city is famous for Etruscan necropolises, where numerous ancient burials were discovered. The rich culture of the Etruscans is poorly preserved, and their language has not been unraveled so far - only stone tombs can tell something about these people.
Necropolis of the Etruscans in Cerveteri (VI-V centuries BC)
They repeatedly found exquisite jewelry, dishes and other artifacts, many of which can be seen in the local museum. After an hour-long bus ride from Rome to the necropolises, you will have to walk about 2 km on foot - so wear comfortable shoes.
Assisi
Assisi is a 2.5-hour drive from Rome, so it is not so easy to meet the one-day travel format. But, nevertheless, it is possible. Just keep in mind that crowds of pilgrims come to this Umbrian city all year round, so you will probably have to visit the sights surrounded by many other tourists who also came here for one day.
Assisi survived as it was during the life of St. Francis
Assisi famous for its Christian temples. The most famous of them is the church of San Francesco, one of the six great Catholic basilicas. Hurry to visit Assisi: they say that for twenty years he can go underground.
