Lazio
Lazio is the cradle of occidental civilization and Christian culture, of lakes and legends, of thermal spas and history, of ancient roads and verdant hills. Lazio is a region of central Italy bordered by the Tyrrhenian Sea,traverse by the waters of the Tiber River and mainly characterized by hills and mountains, while it slopes down near the coast.
Lazio is also full of spas, whose history is bound to the several thermal water springs that had great success in the Republican Age and continued to be used in the Imperial Age. The Romans built sumptuous thermal baths and we can still admire their vestiges around the territory; first of all, the Terme di Caracalla (now in a state of magnificent ruins) in the heart of Rome.Tivoli is another spa, but its fame is mainly due to the artistic beauties it contains, like Villa D’Este, with its splendid fountains, gardens and magnificent palace of the Renaissance, and Villa Adriana, the ancient residence of emperor Hadrian. The two villas are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. For those who prefer the sea, this region offers some pearls such as Gaeta, Sabaudia, San Felice Circeo, Sperlonga and the Islands of Ponza and Ventotene, while those who love lakes will enjoy Bracciano, an enchanting stretch of water encircled by the intense green of the surrounding nature and overlooked by a magnificent 16th-Century castle. Walking along the Medieval streets of the villages by the shores of the lake, visitors can feel that these places are not only bound to the Roman Empire, but were also the theatre of various historical periods. Lake Bolsena, in the area of Viterbo, gives us an example of it, as it is the biggest volcanic lake in Europe. This lake combines the charm of lush nature and splendid views with the history and traces left by the Etruscans, Romans and successive populations. Finally, mountain lovers will not be left disappointed by Lazio, thanks to the ski resorts of Terminillo, Livata and Campo Staffi. This land evokes memories of unrivalled places and intense emotions, but also a clear perception of the relentless march of time, that justifies the attempts of our ancestors to challenge time and leave us their remembrance.
PROVINCE OF ROME
The Province of Rome is a matching frame for the many treasures of the Capital, and the surrounding area has, more or less directly, experienced the influence of the history of the Eternal City. The Region of Lazio offers everything from sea and nature to good food and lovely villages rich in history and art. And around Rome, the hills, lakes, rivers and vineyards make for a kaleidoscope of diversity and attractions for nature lovers.Facing the Tyrrhenian Sea, The Province enjoys a Mediterranean climate on the coast and a continental one further inland. The coast stretches from the area including Fiumicino and the towns overlooking Lake Bracciano (the largest in the province) to the border with the Province of Latina.In the northwest are the Tolfa and Sabatini Mountains, along with the nature reserves of Macchiagrande, Macchiatonda, Torre Flavia and Canale Monterano. In the Tiber Valley lie the Park of Valle del Treja, and the nature reserves of Nazzano-Tevere-Farfa and of Mount Soratte.The Tiburtino-Sublacense area, crossed by the River Aniene, includes the regional parks of the Lucretili and Simbruini Mountains. The territory that comprises the Prenestina area and the Lepini Mountains is nestled between the Aniene Valley and the Albani Hills. The volcanic Lakes of Nemi and Albano characterize the Castelli Romani area – a holiday resort since ancient times – thanks to the mild climate and the gentle landscape.Even before becoming the Capital of the Italian Republic, Rome had always played a key role, in Italy as well as in Europe. Caput Mundi in Roman times and later seat of the papacy and the Capital of the Kingdom of Italy, on an international level Rome has always been a major political, cultural and spiritual influence.
PROVINCE OF VITERBO
Green landscapes and enchanting Medieval villages characterize the Tuscia zone and its capital, Viterbo. It is an oasis of good food and relaxation, situated amidst the legacies of the Etruscans and the Via Francigena, where the rhythms of life from the mountains to the sea are dictated by nature and the age-old customs of peasant life.
Located between the southern borders of the Tuscan Maremma and Rome, Viterbo and Upper Lazio are characterized by a landscape of volcanic origins, with the Lakes of Bolsena and Vico having formed in ancient extinct craters. Flat in the north, the land becomes more hilly up towards the Cimini Mountains, then slopes down to the River Tiber. Beechwoods dot the higher areas, while oaks and chestnut trees inhabit the lower altitudes.A sandy shoreline and the Mediterranean bush characterize the area of the coast with its crystalline waters. Among the coastal destinations, Tarquinia Lido offers tourists swims in limpid waters, a vast panorama from the top of the Tarquinia Alta Hill, and the discovery of an Etruscan necropolis (one of Italy’s 49 UNESCO World Heritage Sites) made up of approximately 200 graves, where paintings represent the most conspicuous legacies of Etruscan art. Many archaeological finds unearthed during excavations here are kept in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale (National Archaeological Museum), housed in Palazzo Vitelleschi, considered one of the most important Etruscan museums in Italy.
