In the long and exciting journey to discover the Italic wonders, it often happens to come across unknown places and excluded from the many tourist circuits. Magical places, where time seems to have stopped and which deserve to be told. Among these we can place, without many doubts, the fascinating San Felice Circeo, a charming seaside village in the lower Lazio. Let's discover its history and beauties!
A story to be told
Like most Italian cities and towns, the history of San Felice Circeo begins from afar. Well before the Romans, Greek and to the Etruscans. In fact, it begins about fifty thousand years ago, with a small settlement inhabited by man from Neanderthal. Here, among the Lazio promontories, there are many caves where our ancestors found refuge. This is a very important discovery, which took place in 1936 thanks to the work of Albert Charles Blanc which made it possible to reconstruct the local history.
Starting from the third millennium BC various prolatine civilizations began to colonize central Italy, including San Felice Circeo. Small villages dedicated to agriculture and pastoralism. This until the arrival of the Sabines, the Etruscans, the Volsci, but above all the Romans. The latter made San Felice a delightful luxury residential location, with hundreds of villas that literally overlooked the sea.
In the Middle Ages, the barbarian invasions did not allow development of the small village. Contended for centuries, in 1501 it was razed to the ground by Frederick I of Aragon. Only from the seventeenth century did the reconstruction begin. Churches, palaces and convents were built, some of which can still be visited today. Works that continued into the eighteenth century, many commissioned by the Vatican. In the nineteenth century what is perhaps the most important character of San Felice makes its appearance: Stanislaus Poniatowsky. The prince ruled for about 14 years, greatly improving the conditions of the inhabitants with numerous works such as roads, vineyards and villas.
What to see in San Felice Circeo
After the story we move on to its monuments, to the many jewels to admire. Despite its small size, in fact, its alleys hide numerous and pleasant surprises. First stop on our journey is the historic center, which looks like the classic villages of the Mediterranean: candid white houses, narrow streets that climb along the promontory and sudden panoramas. There Parish Church of San Felice Martire it is the most important building of worship. It houses the relics of the homonymous saint, as well as the patron saint of the city. In Vittorio Veneto square then the beauty arises medieval tower and the remains dating back to the occupation of the Templars. Another church not to be missed is that of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1954 and surmounted by Statue of the Immaculate Madonna. It is the symbol of the local devotion to the Virgin.
Just outside the village it is possible to admire the remains of the Cyclopean walls. In the locality San Rocco, on the other hand, a stop at the Villa of Marco Emilio Lepido. This was the home of Prince Stanislao Poniatowsky. The landscape here will leave even the most demanding tourist breathless. Along the coast we can then enjoy the various towers built between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. For trekking lovers we recommend the Circeo National Park and local caves, some can only be visited with special permits. Here there are in fact the archaeological excavations that have brought to light the Neanderthal remains. Last but not least, the statue submerged of Christ by Circeo, the marine emblem of the village as well as a favorite stop for all lovers of diving trips.
