Daughter of the thirties of the last century, she is one among the youngest cities in Italy. The landscape, largely flat, unites the taste of the sea to the beauty of the mountains. It is Latina, a place where history and nature alternate in a lively and harmonious relationship. A stay here means beaches, culture, cuisine, sports and much more. Let's find out more about a city with many faces.
Cultural Latin
Born in 1932, Latina is a city that expresses the passage from rural village to urban context. This passage is easily found in the names of different squares and buildings. To understand more, you need to take a small step back in time. It was 1924 when the work of integral reclamation of the Pontine marshes. An operation that made it possible to transform the marshy territory into one agricultural land with consequent dispatch of labor from Veneto ed Emilia Romagna. Therefore, many people found a place in the various rural settlements of the area subject to reclamation. For this reason, the then fascist government established the need to establish an urban center that was equipped with all those services useful to meet the needs of the 400 families present here. Thus the city of Latina was born in the northern area of the Agro Pontino.
Originally baptized Littoria, the new urban center saw as its constitutive nucleus Square of the Square. Precisely in memory of its rural past, the statues present here depict agricultural themes. They can thus be seen the sower, the gleaner as well as vases overflowing with fruit such as allegory of fecundity. At the center of the square is the fountain, the symbol of a marshy land freed from stagnant waters. The same sculpture that dominates it wants to remember the vigorous reclamation works carried out here. To complete it all is the building overlooking the square today Pontine Land Museum. Inside it is possible to learn about the reclamation history of this area thanks to a rich collection of agricultural tools and machinery. But Latina certainly does not end in Piazza del Quadrato. Among the historic buildings we remember the Post Office in Piazza dei Bonificatori, the Civic Tower in Piazza del Popolo and the Government Palace in Piazza della Libertà.
Natural Latina and surroundings
In addition to its historical aspect, Latina also offers a landscape rich in lively variety. The natural setting of this city is the sea and the mountains that allow its guests to range between different recreational activities. Just 7 km from the coast, Latina presents dark sand beaches along which it is possible to enjoy, in total relaxation, the panorama offered by the Tyrrhenian Sea. But not only, the more adventurous souls will be able to experience surfing. Thanks to winds from Ponente and Mistral the sea gets rough with ripples and waves that allow you to indulge yourself in the search for an alternative experience. But Latina is not just the sea.
Routes 15 km or a little more you can reach the Lepini mountains on which they open trekking itineraries. Paths that allow you to reach the highest point of these mountains, repaying the physical effort of the walk with a scenario that opens the gaze on the whole Agro Pontino. Another natural starting point is given by Cavata river. Just 13 km from Latina, the river waters are the site of canoe trips. From the sources at the base of the Lepini mountains passing through the ancient village of Sermoneta. A couple of hours trip to admire the pristine waters and keep fit. But if you are still not tired after all this sport, the Fogliano lake which since 1978 is part of the Circeo National Park.
Local products: the mozzarella d'oro
After the visits to the city and the numerous sporting activities that can be practiced in the surroundings, Latina also offers us the well-deserved opportunity to taste delicious dishes. There are many trattorias and restaurants where you can eat typical and exquisite dishes of the Agro Pontino. The kitchen Lazio it certainly fits fully into the Italian culinary tradition. But if you don't have time for a full meal, it is highly recommended mozzarella di bufala.
You will surely be amazed by his soft and tasty heart and maybe you will choose it as worthy "souvenir" for friends and relatives. A typical product of the whole Agro Pontino, so good that Coldiretti called it "white gold". Its origin has its roots in the history of the territory. In fact, in the Middle Ages a papal bull imposed on the noble Caetani family thebreeding of only buffaloes from whose milk various dairy products were born. Not only mozzarella cheese but also ricotta and caciotta, strictly buffalo mozzarella. Undoubtedly a tasty reminder of your Roman experience, perhaps to give as a gift by telling the origins of these all-Italian products.
