Gaeta is a village in Lazio to visit in the hottest season but also outside the summer period: in the article all the advice on what to visit, from the historic center to the Split Mountain Complex.
Gaeta it is a city with a truly fascinating village and port in the province of Latina, is one of those seaside resorts that deserve to be experienced even outside the summer season.
Personally, Gaeta is one of those areas where I go to the beach during the summer, but I must say that, having visited it even away from the summer chaos, has given me great satisfaction.
Gaeta away from the summer chaos
Sometimes the crowd does not fully convey the beauty of a place, so it is worthwhile to change the period to live new experiences. My idea was to spend a night in the village and then have the following day full to better visit the city.
Arrived in the town in the evening, I stayed in the beautiful B&B Altavilla in the historic center. The rooms overlooked the cathedral and from my room I had a splendid view that extended from the cathedral to the sea.
How to get to Gaeta
By car from Rome or Naples A1 motorway, Cassino exit, SS Cassino-Formia, direction Formia - Gaeta.
Or, again from Rome, Via Appia or SS148 Pontina, direction Latina - Terracina - Gaeta; while from Naples, Strada Domiziana towards Minturno - Formia - Gaeta. By train, the central stations of Rome and Naples easily connect Gaeta through the railway station of Formia.
Things to do and see in Gaeta
First of all the historic center, followed by: the Castle, the promenade and the beaches, the Montagna Spaccata Complex, the Grotta del Turco. But let's take a closer look at these places.
The historical center it develops from the port going up to the castle. From the lower part, you enter inside and reach the top along narrow streets and stairways that are sometimes a bit steep. A light backpack is recommended, do not load yourself with unnecessary weights.
Also do not miss to visit the Cathedral of the city, really beautiful. The Castle instead, it stands on the village. The structure, about 14.100 square meters large, is called Angevin-Aragonese Castle because it consists of two communicating buildings built at different historical moments. But now let's move on to Split Mountain.
In my opinion, the complex of the Montagna Spaccata is one of the most evocative parts of the place. Walking from the center you can easily reach it in a short half hour, and during the walk you can enjoy a splendid panorama of the coast overlooking the Serapo beach. The Montagna Spaccata complex consists of three cracks in the rock.
A staircase leads to the spectacular central cleft which, according to the Christian tradition, would have been formed at the death of Christ. To the right of the church it is possible to walk along an uncovered corridor with the Stations of the Cross on the walls.
Along the steps leading into the bowels of the mountain, it is possible to see the so-called "Hand of the TurkWhich, according to legend, was formed when a disbelieving Turkish sailor leaned against the rock which miraculously became soft. The sanctuary is the seat of the PIME missionaries and is today a pilgrimage destination for many faithful.
The history of Montagna Spaccata
In 1434 from the top of the two rocky ridges that gave rise to the name (split mountain) a boulder came off and got stuck further down between the walls of the cleft. A small chapel dedicated to the Crucifix was built on it (1815th century) with the tomb of the Napoleonic general Alessandro Begani, commander of the Piazzaforte di Gaeta in the siege of XNUMX.
Moving away from the city center, on the other hand, you can drive along the road that winds along the rocky coast that falls into the sea and if you want, stop perhaps at one of the pitches that give access to the sea via steep stairways.
Suggestive here is to get off at 300 steps beach, where a staircase of 300 steps will take you down from the mountain to the beach.
A little tip
During the summer, from the port of Gaeta, there are many boats that offer guided tours along the coast with attached baths and visits to caves and inlets along the coast.
