The Region has five administrative divisions: Viterbro, Rieti, Rome, Latina and Frosinone.
Therre are also four ancient volcanic areas with the craters of extinct volcanoes forming the lakes of Bolsena, Vico, Bracciano, Albano and Nemi.
I think for our first travels to Italy, we place Lazio at the bottom of the list of places to visit. But, in the course of travelling in the Region I must say that call was wrong.
The centre of the Region is Rome.
Lazio | Latium
Lazio | Latium is the region that surrounds and includes Rome. It is a region of varied landscape. Beaches, landscapes, and what seems like endless monuments dating back to Roman times. Over the years we have criss-crossed the region and enjoyed the sights and experiences. On some of our first trips we would travel through the region on the way to a different location. Then on some trips we stayed in one location and explored the region in more detail. The Region has four ancient volcanic areas, with the craters of extinct volcanoes forming the lakes of Bolsena, Vico, Bracciano, Albano and Nemi. Today the Region of Latium, or Lazio, has five provinces.
Rome
Rome is not to be missed. We love Rome, we travel there almost every year, but I must admit over the past few years it is a city that is becoming harder to take because of the sheer number of tourists.
Tuscania
photo: mytravellinglens.com
An ancient Etruscan settlement, with numerous churches, monuments and ancient buildings. St Maria del Riposo has important and noteworthy frescoes. St Maria Maggiore (8C) has 14C fresco. Basilica oSt Pietro, main holy building, in Lombard/Romanesque style. The Fontana delle Sette Cannelle was built during the Etruscan-Roman Age. Porta del Popolo and Porta del Poggio, are the two main gates to the ancient fortified city.
Parco degli Acquedotti
I wanted to visit this ancient park with the goal of seeing and photographing the aqueducts. The park has remains of seven different aqueducts. If visiting from Rome, take Metro Line A to Giulio Agricola Metro Station. Leave and turn southeast on Viale Giulio Agricola. Four blocks and you end on Via Lemonia. The park is right beside via Lemonia.
Monte Romano Aqueduct
in 2017 to Lazio we stayed at Montalto di Castro at an excellent agriturismo - La Pecora Ladra. It was so good we are booked again for 2018. The town of Montalto di Castro is a little over an hour drive from the Rome airport, so it was possible to fly all day to Italy, pick up the car, and then drive to La Pecora Ladra. The location is well positioned to visit a variety of locations throughout Lazio/Latium as well as parts of Tuscany and Umbria.
Turns out the aqueduct was not built by the Romans but dates to the 1700s. A variety of sections majestically stand today.
Montalto di Castro
What can I say. Everyone was friendly here! We stayed here in 2017, and liked it so much, we have already booked a return visit in 2018. The old hill top walled town (pop 8000) with a historic centre. Good base to tour the area. Historic center a postcard type medieval town, l walled and dominated by its ages-old castle - Castello Guglielmi(15C).Once belonged to the powerful Orsini family. The ancient Roman road, the Via Aurelia, passes right by the town.
The seaside sister Montalto Marina (2 km) not that impressive but must pop in the summer. A killer piazza restaurant - Bar La Torre Di Miralli Giuletta has fantastic piazza, served on sheets of paper, carried by hand to your table. No knives or forks.
Tarquinia
Above: Santa Maria in the Castello
Tarquinia, Unesco designation for the necropolis with stunning frescoed tombs.The centre of the old town is particularly charming. The Barriera di San Giusto is the ancient entrance to the town. Next you will be in the Piazza Cavour with the Renaissance palazzo Vitelleschi. Via G. Mazzini lead to Piazza del Duomo where you can admire the marvelous Cathedral of Santa Margherita (Saint Margaret) with its majestic bell tower. Walk along the Via Porta di Castello to reach the Church of Saint Mary in the Castle.
The Romanesque Church of Saint Mary in the Castle is located in the oldest part of Tarquinia. Take Via di Porta Castello, pass through ancient gate with the Tower of Danteand the Tower of Matilde di Canossa all part the visual scene. I was there early on the morning, so while I did not have to put up with crowds.
On future trips I will seek out the archaeological area of Gravisca. This is an ancient Etruscan port, today called Port Clementino (Pope Clement XIII had it restored.
Viterbo
We have not been to Viterbo in a number of years and it is on our list of towns to visit for our 2018 tour of the Lazio Region.
» Viterbo and some of the surrounding towns.
Bolsena
Located on the eastern shore of Lake Bolsena, there is a pleasant historic centre to the town. On our visit, one of the festivals had the streets line with flower petals. If you visit the castle there are great views of the city.
Montefiascone
The town is located on a whill, overlooking the lake. The Montefiascone Cathedral is one of the most important churches in the area and has one of the largest domesin Italy.
Caprarola
Caprarola has the Palazzo Farnese - the amazing 16th century villa of the Farnese Family. The villa, now owned by the Government, is open daily, except Mondays. The park is only open on weekdays.
We were there on a Sunday, and that is a day to be prepared for crowds. There is limited parking in the town.
Villa d'Este
Villa d’Este in Lazio is a masterpiece of the Italian Garden that is included in the UNESCO world heritage list. To confuse things, there is a Villa d'Este hotel on Lake Como. This is the gardens of all gardens!
Hadrian's Villa
An UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hadrian's Villa is a large Roman archaeological area at Tivoli in the Lazio/Latium Region. It was originally a retreat for Roman Emperor Hadrian during the second and third decades of the 2nd Century AD.
Citiva di Bagnoregio
We won't forget our reaction when we first came across this old town perched high on a rocky hill-top. In those days we just parked the car, walked up the footbridge to the top and I think there were a total of ten people there. Now, your purchase your ticket in Bagnoregio and then walk through the town to reach the foot bridge, or buy a ticket for a bus ride. In 2021 we also visited the town of Celleno and its old borgo which has been evacuated after earthqakes - Borgo Fantasma. We liked it better. We wrote about it on our 2021 Trip to Italy when we stayed at Castel Cellesi.
Sperlonga
Sperlonga is on the coast of Lazio, between Rome and Naples. Historically it is the location of an ancient Roman sea grotto of the Villa of Tiberius. The spectacular Sperlonga sculptures are displayed in a museum on the site. We loved the beach and the old town with its narrow winding alleyways.