Between Rome and Naples is the old port of Gaeta. This harbour town has much to offer if you are interested in history or if you want to explore the beautiful countryside.
The town has played a conspicuous part in military history: its fortifications date back to Roman times, and it has several traces of the period, including the 1st-century mausoleum of the Roman general Lucius Munatius Plancus at the top of the Monte Orlando. During ancient times, Gaeta was a popular tourist resort for the rich and important characters of Rome.
Nowadays, the town has a large selection of restaurants, cafés and shops and many historical sites of interest. It is a popular area for free climbing on the rocks and scuba diving.
Read more about Gaeta
Besides the city's magnificent castle, you can visit the Chiesa dell'Annunziata in the city centre, constructed in gothic style and dating back to the early 14th Century. It was restored in 18th Century when the bell tower was added. For art enthusiasts, we recommend a visit to Immacolatas Chapel, also called "Grotta d'oro" (the Golden Grotto), a true renaissance work of art with a beautifully decorated wooden ceiling. It is located just behind the church.
We also recommend a visit to the Santuario della Montagna Spaccata by Monte Orlando, where from inside the church there is a staircase that leads up to "La Grotta del Turco", then a further 35 steps leading through an opening in the cliff and down to the beach. The place is very charming. experience local gastronomy offers including on "Olivi di Gaeta" and the "tiellä di Gaeta," which is a kind of closed pizza filled with seafood and olives.
