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Sights of Gaeta. The most important and interesting sights of Gaeta - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, websites.

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Church of San Francesco in Gaeta

Gaeta, Chiesa di San Francesco

The imposing and formidable silhouette of the Gothic Church of San Francesco is so strongly associated with Gaeta that without its profile it is impossible to imagine a view of the city. The Church of San Francesco has deservedly won the right to be a symbol of the city and one of its most attractive attractions.

• Ah, this Italian Gaeta, covered in centuries-old legends, full of Mediterranean colors, filled with the aromas of the sea, flowers and Neapolitan cuisine! Here, every stone preserves the spirit of ancient Italy, so that, walking along the seaside promenade or winding along the narrow cobbled streets, you feel involved in history with all your soul. Despite the destruction the city suffered in the 20th century. (the Second had a particularly negative impact on the architectural appearance of Gaeta world war), many have been preserved here historical monuments of global significance. Others were carefully restored, and over time the city took on its modern, attractive appearance for tourists. Today, the sights of Gaeta are ready to tell about their glorious past to all tourists who come to the Riviera di Ulisse. To do this, you just need to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the city, look carefully and listen.

  Today, the sights of Gaeta are ready to tell about their glorious past to all tourists who come to the Riviera di Ulisse.

  Religious monuments

  As in any pious Italian city, here they are visible and invisible! Sanctuary of Santissima Annunziata, Temple of San Francesco, Cathedral of St. Erasmus and Marciano, Temple of Santissima Trinita, Churches of St. Domenic, St. Paul the Apostle, St. Charles... The main one among the Roman Catholic churches of Gaeta is the Cathedral of Sant'Erasmo. The very first church on this site was built in the 7th century, then the cathedral was rebuilt several times, and the modern building in the neo-Gothic style appeared as a result of reconstruction in the 18th century. Next to the cathedral there is a 12th century bell tower, soaring to a height of 57 m.

  Inside the church are ancient Roman sarcophagi discovered during excavations at Minturno.

  In the very center of the city rises an ancient Byzantine church San Giovanni a Mare. Despite its rather modest appearance and laconic architectural forms, the temple makes a pleasant impression. In addition, fragments of 15th-century frescoes have been preserved inside, and the exterior is enlivened by the bell tower and the original dome with hanging arches and mosaics.

  The temple of Santissima Trinita on the “broken” mountain deserves special attention, surrounded by mystical legends and real stories. The church is located near a chasm allegedly formed at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The beautiful religious legend still attracts tourists and pilgrims from all over the world.

  Other attractions

  Gaeta Castle (or Aragonese Castle) is a witness to ancient events associated with the period of the Gothic wars. Over the centuries of its existence, the citadel has changed several guises, serving as a military fort, having been royal residence and even a soldier's barracks.

  Nowadays the Maritime Financial Police School is located within the castle walls.

  Gaeta also has its own nature reserve - the Monte Orlando Park, located on the protected territory of the cape of the same name. Tourists with free time can rent a bicycle or simply stroll around the many hiking trails mountains of Orlando, admiring the views of the sea. At the top of Monte Orlando is the mausoleum of the ancient Roman politician Lucius Plancus, who chose Gaeta to spend a quiet old age. This is a Cyclopean structure dating back to 22 BC. e., almost untouched by the merciless time. Near the mausoleum you can visit an unusual monument - an underground military battery built at the end of the 19th century.

  Those interested in museum and church culture can visit the Diocesan Museum, housed in the Palazzo de Vio. His collection includes large number exhibits on religious themes from closed and destroyed churches, including church utensils and paintings by local artists.

Gaeta, Gaeta - the sound of this word is like a song motif, affectionate and melodic. Both the name and the city ( where is it located?) is enchanting, and I want to get to know him better at all costs. It is full of Mediterranean colors, smells sea ​​surf and Neapolitan cuisine. Its narrow streets and colorful buildings breathe history, the greenery of the parks is reflected in the blue of the sea, and in the evening, the embankment is filled with the sounds of arriving fishing boats and the cries of fresh fish traders. There is an amazing atmosphere of simple communication and friendliness here. In addition to the clear sea and golden beaches, this city has entertainment for every taste. From scuba diving to windsurfing on a transparent wave, from interesting excursion around the city - until you can go to any of the islands of the Pontic archipelago. It's your choice!

Story

The first settlements in Gaeta date back to the 8th century BC. With the expansion of the territories of Rome to the south of the peninsula, the lands near Gaeta began to be called Latium vetus (land of Latin origin), from here the nationalities gradually disappeared Wolski, Ernichi And Ausoni who previously inhabited them. During the time of Augustus, after his administrative reform, Gaeta became part of the Latium region, its borders corresponding to the modern borders with the Campania region - along the Liri-Garigliano river.

Reference. During the Roman period, Gaeta was a place summer holiday emperors, wealthy Roman patricians, consuls and famous senators of the time. Currently, along the entire coast of Gaeta, you can find the ruins of Roman villas, for example on Fontanya beach, in the ancient Roman port of Caposele, as well as near the new port of Formia (the cities of Gaeta and Formia merged along the coast).

The most striking monument of the Roman period is the Mausoleum, which is located on the top of Monte Orlando. This is the Mausoleum of Lucio Munazio Planco, the Roman consul, the beloved general of Julius Caesar (they crossed the Rubicon together and were side by side during the Gallic Wars).

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Gaeta began a difficult period of attacks and robberies from the barbarians, and then the Saracens. Thanks to the natural landscape, the city gradually turned into a Castrum - a fortified place: fortress walls and a castle were built to protect the population of Gaeta and nearby settlements.

First information about Aragonese castle date back to the 6th century: it is mentioned in documents about the war against the Goths. In the 10th century, it was mentioned in the description of maps in the “Codex diplomaticus cajetanus”, but specific information dates back only to the 12th century, during the reign of King Federico II di Svevius.

Already in 839, Gaeta emerged from subordination to the Kingdom and became free. But only a century later, in 917, when Giovanni I Gaetano was given the title of Duke of Gaeta, the city acquired autonomy, established its own legislation, military and civil rights, and began to mint its own coins. il follaro and turns into a rich maritime trading duchy.

In the period from 839 to 1140, Gaeta was considered a Maritime Republic, it ruled on the basis of its own laws, its ships sailed the Mediterranean under its own flag. The end of the Republic came with the Norman invasion, when Ruggiero II of the Altavilla dynasty came to power.

Hotels, apartments and villas in Gaeta

From 1266 to 1435, the city of Gaeta was ruled alternately by the kings of Naples and the heirs to the throne of Ladislav Durazzo. During the Spanish rule, which began in 1504, Gaeta continued to be an important fortified area of ​​the Kingdom of Naples, and the construction of bastions was begun on the slopes of Monte Orlando, capable of resisting the new weapon of cannon.

Gaeta was subject to fourteen sieges, ranging from the battle of the Duchy of Gaeta with the Kingdom of Sicily to the siege of 1861 by the troops of General Enrico Cialdini (he would later be proclaimed Duke of Gaeta).

The rich history of Gaeta, of course, has left the city a legacy of beautiful architectural monuments and monuments of world cultural significance.

Architectural monuments of Gaeta

Sanctuary of Santissima Annunziata was founded in 1320 and was intended to help the poor, sick and orphans. The Gothic style structure remained, but restoration work in 1624 transformed the sanctuary into a Baroque style. Here you can see paintings by Sebastian Conque, an exquisite wooden choir and the most valuable handwritten notes of ancient church music. From the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception you can enter the Golden Grotto (Grotta d'Oro), so named because it is decorated with gilded carved wooden blocks with 19 paintings representing scenes from the life of Jesus and the Madonna.

Church of St. Francis. The original structure was built in 1222 and was used by Saint Francesco of Assisi to baptize the inhabitants of Gaeta. The temple was built later by the great architect Giacomo Guarinelli in the neo-Gothic style, thanks to donations from two great monarchs - King Charles II and King Ferdinand II from the Bourbon dynasty. The structure of the temple is unique with a high entrance staircase and a beautiful stained glass window in the form of a rose above the entrance, which make it unique.

Cathedral Saints Erasmus and Marciano, built in the X-XI centuries. Next to it, in the 12th century, a pearl of Gothic architecture was erected - a bell tower in an exquisite Moorish style. It has retained its original appearance to this day. The complex is a brilliant example of medieval architecture in Italy. Unique bas-reliefs, sarcophagi from the Roman era and other masterpieces have been preserved here.

Church of the Holy Trinity, or Broken Mountain. According to legend, at the time of the crucifixion of Christ, a strong earthquake occurred on earth, during which the rocks split and one of them formed a fissure in which a sanctuary was built. From here there is a staircase leading to the grotto (Grotta del Turco). When entering through a narrow passage, the imprint of a human palm and five fingers is visible on the right side. Legend has it that a Turkish sailor once entered this grotto; he did not believe the story told to him about the mountain breaking and accidentally leaned his hand on the rock. At that moment, the rock began to melt under his hand. There was an imprint left on this spot.

Gaeta Castle, or Aragonese castle- one of the ancient architectural monuments, its origin dates back to the 6th century during the war with the Goths, when the coasts of Lazio and Campania were subject to attacks by the Longobards. The entire history of the castle is closely connected with the history of the city. It was a military fort and residence of kings, a prison and barracks, and now within its walls is located the famous School of Navigation of the Tax Police (Nautica della Guardia di Finanza).

The city has many interesting tourist sites, including the Vio Palace, the Mausoleum of Lucio Munazio Planco, the churches of St. Domenic, St. Paul the Apostle, St. Charles and many others.

Transfer to Gaeta

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Beaches of Gaeta

The most important of them is the beach Serapo, laid with fine white sand. The beach is an ideal place to relax with children. There are rental shops for pedal boats and canoes, the beach is equipped with showers, and, of course, is dotted with bars and restaurants.

Beach Fontagna– small, very intimate beach; On its territory there are the ruins of an ancient Roman villa. The number of beach visitors is limited, so we recommend arriving early. There are no bars or cafes on the beach, or showers.

Beach Ariana- Not big beach from white sand, located between two steep cliffs 50-70 meters high. One of them shows the ancient watchtower Viola. The beach is characterized by a beautiful natural landscape, very good for families with children.

Reference. Watchtowers were part of the defensive and warning system built to protect Gaeta during the landing of the Saracen pirates. A fire was lit in the tower and its light was visible on the next cape; a fire was also lit in the other tower, which served as an alarm signal. It was a kind of telegraph.

Beach Shissurs- a beautiful large white sand beach, located on the Flakka road. In order to get to it, you need to go down 300 steps. But your work will be rewarded: on the descent you will find cozy cafes, restaurants and shady recreation areas.

Local cuisine

Gaeta is famous for its cuisine. A typical Gaeta dish is called Tiella. This is something between pizza and a savory cake, filled with seafood. Let's mention white Pizza bianca: ee is prepared without using tomatoes. And of course, Olives di Gaeta- marinated olives of oblong shape with a special unique taste, known and loved throughout Italy.

How to get to Gaeta

From Rome by train

At Roma Termini railway station, buy tickets (or purchase) to Formia. From there, having bought a ticket at a bar or newsstand, we take the Formia - Gaeta bus. Buses depart every 20 minutes. The bus stops near Serapo Beach.

From Naples

By train to Formia, then see above.

Tip: try to arrive before 19.00 and find out if your hotel can send a car to the bus stop. The most reliable, although not the most economical, option is.

Rivitalia rating:

You can’t count all the charms. Come for yourself and see everything with your own eyes. Fall in love with Gaeta, she's worth it!

Gaeta, Gaeta... I have seen many in my life, but ETA is the most beautiful!

Grade: 5 points

Attractions

How to get to Gaeta, Italy

Gaeta is considered a charming southern town on the Tyrrhenian Sea coast in Italy. There is everything for a comfortable and eventful holiday - kilometer-long sandy beaches, warm gentle sea, historical monuments and attractions, an amusement park in the vicinity of the resort, as well as nature that is wonderful in every sense. The place is considered truly protected. It is also convenient that you can get to Gaeta relatively quickly; there are such major cities with its own airports like Rome and Naples.

Rome is located 142 km from Gaeta and is connected to it by highway No. SR148. You can get there by car in just over 2 hours, passing through picturesque Italian towns such as Latina, Aprilia, Sperlonga and Terracina. Car rental in Rome – generally a very popular option for traveling around the Italian capital. In order to rent a car, it will be enough to present a passport, driver’s license and a bank card to pay for services. You can book the desired class of car in advance through the services , , and others.

You can also get to Gaeta by public transport, although you will need a small transfer. Trains from Rome to Gaeta run every hour throughout the day. Travel time including transfers will take about two hours. You can check the schedule for specific dates at the railway service .

You can get to Gaeta from Naples in similar ways. The distance between the cities is about 95 km, they are connected by highways No. A1/E45 and SS7. Travel time by car will take about 1 hour 20 minutes, depending on traffic congestion. Car rental in Naples no less popular than in Rome, because The surrounding area of ​​the city also offers a lot of interesting things. In addition to Gaeta, you can visit, for example, the Amalfi Coast, National Park Vesuvius, ancient city Pompeii, etc. You can book the desired class of car in advance through the services , , and others.

There is also a line from Naples to Gaeta. public transport, however, just as in the case of Rome, a short transfer will be required. The total travel time will be from 1.5 to 2 hours. You can check the schedule for specific dates at the railway service .

Jimmyweee/Gaeta Promenade

Hotels in Gaeta, Italy

Gaeta is a popular summer holiday destination, so there are quite a lot of accommodation options for every taste. Basically, these are apartments, bed and breakfast hotels, hotels of various star categories, guest houses and holiday homes. The price of the issue greatly depends on the class of the chosen place to stay. Staying in B&B hotels and apartments is generally cheaper than staying in 3* and 4* hotels. Not all accommodations in Gaeta are located on the first beach line, but this should not be too much of a concern since the town is small and you can walk to the beach in 5-10 minutes from anywhere.

Hotels in Gaeta are very diverse, you can find budget options according to the type of B&B, and you can also find options in a higher price category and with a large number of services. Hotels located in close proximity to the sea and enjoying stable popularity among tourists include, for example:

• (first beach line, there is parking, a garden, free Wi-Fi);

• (private beach, panoramic swimming pool, fitness room, free parking);

• (first beach line, free parking, free Wi-Fi, breakfast included in the price);

• (private beach, spa area, restaurant, free parking).

To the apartments with best reviews also include:

• (free parking, swimming pool, free Wi-Fi);

• (one bedroom house, free parking and Wi-Fi);

• (terrace, free parking and Wi-Fi) and other facilities.

You can check prices for all possible accommodation options in Gaeta on specialized search engine sites ,Hotellook and others that allow you to compare all existing offers for the required dates.

Sights of Gaeta, Italy

Contrary to expectations, Gaeta can offer not only comfortable beach holiday, but also an intense excursion. Gaeta is considered an ancient city and known since the time of Ancient Rome, it is not surprising that many historical sights from different eras have been preserved here. From the times of the Roman Empire, archaeological monuments remain in Gaeta - ruins of defensive structures, fortresses And forts.

Another dominant monument in Gaeta, dating back to the early Middle Ages, is lock, which was erected partly during the Angevin era of rule, partly under the Aragonese rulers. The castle has several towers that are visible from almost anywhere in the city. The castle itself is located on a hill, and it’s worth going up here if only because it opens best views to Gaeta and the coast.

Not far from the embankment you can stumble upon another historical monument - Cathedral of St. Erasmus. The cathedral was built in the 10th-11th centuries and has a tower made in the Arab-Norman style, its construction dates back to the 12th century. The inside of the cathedral is no less delightful than the outside; many artistic objects from the early Middle Ages have been preserved here. To the religious buildings of Gaeta, also worthy of attention, refer Church of the Annunziata, Chapel of St. Francis and other objects.

All lovers of natural attractions are recommended to visit Gaeta natural park Monte Orlando, located on the cape of the same name, and Riviera di Ulissa Nature Reserve. Both places have beautiful sea and forest landscapes, which can be viewed by moving along special walking routes. The relief in the local parks is very diverse - these include rock formations, sandy beaches, and forests. In addition, the reserve is home to a huge number of rare birds and rare species plants. Many people come to the reserve to go diving, because... here, in the rocks, there are quite a lot of underwater caves and rock faults, while the sea in Gaeta is the cleanest, which makes the conditions for diving ideal.

Gaeta - beautiful city, which is located between Naples and Rome on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its population is slightly more than 22,000 people. The climate is mild Mediterranean. height holiday season starts in May and lasts until October. At this time, a large number of tourists come here, as the city is one of the best in the Riviera de Willis.

Gaeta - very ancient city with an ancient unique history. It was named after the nurse of the ancient Greek hero Aeneas. Violent battles took place over it for several centuries - it was owned by barbarians, Saracens, Angevins and Aragonese. And only in 1861 the city became free and transferred to a united Italy.

Like many other cities in Italy, Gaeta is divided into parts: old and new city. In the old part there are a large number of monuments, cathedrals, churches, castles and many other historical values.

The majestic Church of St. Francis, built in 1222, is also located here. It amazes with its size and beauty. Outside the temple there are sculptures of famous Italians and Frenchmen. Not far from the temple there is an ancient fortress, which has been well preserved since the reign of the Angevins and Aragonese. In the center of the old town there is a Cathedral with a very beautiful bell tower. It was built back in the 10th-11th centuries.

No less beautiful is the 6th century Gaeta Castle, which was a military fort, as well as a prison and barracks. You should definitely visit the Monte Orlando Natural Park. It is located on Monte Orlando. This favorite place rest local residents and tourists, as it is incredibly beautiful.

In addition to a huge number of attractions, the city has many kilometers of beautiful beaches - some of the best and cleanest in Italy and equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas. Among them are the beaches of Serapo and Ariana. The sea is so clean and rich in flora and fauna that it attracts divers from all over the world.

There are a large number of cafes and restaurants here. From local cuisine The most famous dish is “White Pizza”, it is prepared without tomatoes. Also very tasty marinated olives, anchovies and salads. Very large selection of desserts.

A holiday in Gaeta will forever remain a fabulous adventure!