Many people choose to arrive in Italy by ferry to Civitavecchia, one of the largest ferry and cruise line ports in the Mediterranean. From there it’s a short and easy journey by hire car to the eternal city and the scenery on the way is worth the journey too.
Often tourists choose to stay in the capital but it’s worth spending a couple of days on the coast exploring this old port whose name means ancient town. Top of the list should be the massive fortress known as Michelangelo’s Fort, built in the 16th century.
Civitavecchia Mini Guide
Explore the region of Lazio from the comfort of your own hire car. Civitavecchia is actually very accessible and you can even enquire with our staff about taking a ferry across to the Mediterranean destinations of Malta, Sicily, Barcelona, Sardinia, Sicily, Malta and Tunisia. With the freedom of a vehicle you can visit anywhere on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea easily from this province. The main sights are cultural. Visitors must not miss the Forte Michelangelo which was completed in the 16th century.
The main part of the tower was designed by the Renaissance genius Michelangelo himself. This huge and impressive building was built over an ancient Roman building with the purpose of defending the port of Rome. You should also see the cathedral of San Francesco d'Assisi which was built in the 18th century. There are also some nice Roman baths to discover at the north of the city in Ficoncella. Civitavecchia has a very long history as it was built over an old Etruscan settlement.
A harbour was first put up there in the 2nd century. By the Middle Ages, Centumcellae, as it was known then, had become a Byzantine stronghold. The Papal States then acquired it. In the 18th century it became the most important port in Rome. In World War II the town was damaged by allied bombings. Currently there are two thermal power stations which have caused quite a bit of protest by the local population.
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