CIVITAVECCHIA, Lazium \ Italy

Civitavecchia is the port of Rome (70 km, 45 miles). The first port was built in Roman times by emperor Traiano with the name of Centumcellae. In the early Middle Ages, the town fell into the hands of the Moors. After the defeats of the Moorish fleet at Punta Licosa and Ostia, Pope Leone IV conquered the town in 848. It was given a new name, Civitas Vetula. In the feudal period the town belonged to the counts Ranieri of Civita Castellana, to the monastery of Farfa, but mostly to the Di Vico family. In 1431, after a siege from sea and land, Civitavecchia became part of the ponitifial state. From 1798 to 1815 the town was under French occupation. French writer Stendhal was consul here between 1831 and 1842, here he wrote some of his masterpieces, among them the “Chartreuse de Parme”. On 16th September 1870 Civitavecchia opened its gates to the troops of commander Nino Bixo, to become part of the Italian state.

Language: Italian

Currency: €uro

DOCKING Berth “Santa Fermina”

TO GET TO TOWN Our berth is at about 500 m from the North entrance of the harbour, called “Varco Vespucci”. Just outside to your right is Corso Marconi, one of the main streets of Civitavecchia. It is possible to reach to town walking. Otherwise you will have to call a taxi.

WHAT TO VISIT if time and schedule permitting Within the harbour, but further south compared to our berthing place, is Fort Michelangelo. The construction started in 1508 by Bramante, continued by Antonio da Sangallo and was finalized by Michelangelo (who built the donjon) in 1537. In town, there is the Archaeological Museum and just outside the city the Terme Taurine (Roman spa). About 25 km (16 miles) north of Civitavecchia is Tarquinia. A visit to this place could be one of the highlights of your journey. Here you meet the Etruscan civilization. The origin of Tarxuna, its Etruscan name, goes back to the 9th century B.C. Your visit should include: the National Museum in Palazzo Vitelleschi and the Etruscan Necropoli. Palazzo Vitelleschi is itself a splendid building in gotic-renaissance style. The museum hosts the major collection of Etruscan founding. The necropolis includes more than 100 tombs. But not more than 40 are only open for visitors. But due to the lack of adequate lighting only a dozen can really be visited. The conditions for visiting the tombs can vary. The best is to check at the National Museum. The necropolis is just outside the town of Tarquinia. To visit Tarquinia the best is to hire a taxi for half day.

SHOPPING Shopping in Civitavecchia is as good as you can expect it to be in an Italian provincial town. The principal shopping streets are: Viale Guido Baccelli, Viale Giacomo Matteotti, Corso Centocelle, Viale Garibaldi.

EATING OUT The typical local fare is not a very sophisticated cuisine, but based on local products. This means of course fish and seafood. You can find may restaurants and trattorias in town.