Lazio

Lazio

Lazio (Latium in Latin) is a region of central Italy, bordered by Tyrrhenian Sea. The name of the region also survives in the tribal designation of the ancient population of Latins, from whom the Romans originated. In Roman mythology, the shadowy king Latinus allegedly gave his name to the regionLatium is extremely important for history, art, architecture, archaeology, religion and culture in general. The immense patrimony of Rome is only a part of the real treasure that is spread over the hundreds of towns, villages, abbeys, churches, monuments and other sites of the region. For those who want to discover the history and origins of Latium throughout monuments, archaeological sites and ruins of ancient populations the region offers you a wide range of possibilities.Lazio offers a variety of landscapes including lakes, mountains and sea… and a lot of chances from the point of view of tourism. Furthermore, Latium allows tourists to choose different kind of eno-gastronomic itineraries showing the unique traditions and peculiarities of Latium cooking style.In addition to this, nature is one of the other special features making our region an ideal place for vacations and relax.Finally Latium hosts lots of events, fairs and exhibitions in the frame of entertainment in general, all initiatives aimed at bettering tourist offer and making the region attractive both to strangers and Italian visitors.Three hundred km of coast with vanguard seaside resorts , destination of the international jet-set , and historical sceneries with fortresses , abbeys and manors which excite the tourist with glimpses and renewed suggestions. The Riviera degli Etruschi (Etruscan Riviera) , on the northern coast, includes the ruins of the Roman and Etruscan history of Santa Marinella , the sandy beach of Santa Severa , the city centres of Cerveteri and Ladispoli. The main character of the Roman sea is Ostia, first seaside centre of the Tyrrhenian , for dimension and tourists offer, next to Torvajanica with the suggestive headland of Nettuno , Anzio , famous for the ruins of Nerone’s villa and for the port which leads by boat to the Pontine islands. Proceeding towards south is the Riviera di Ulysse ( Ulysses’ Riviera) , Sabaudia and Sperlonga rising straight from the sea. The Capital still is the most visited and most desired Italian destination , with its millenary set combined to always better services in terms of reception and organizational efficiency . Beyond being an important destination , Rome is also a magnificent point of departure for historical , cultural and tradition routes. Tarquinia, Tuscania, Norchia, are just some of the centre of Etruria Viterbese , where still today one can admire the ruins of civilization to which the “ myth” of Rome owes much. In the province of Frosinone are the ancient cities of Alatri , Anagni , Ferentino and Arpino , with the monumental surroundings walls and its architecture , witness of all the civilizations that followed. On the pontina plain one can admire the cities of Gaeta and Formia with their natural beauties ( the Cracked Mountain) and historical wonders ( Cicero’s tomb). And more, the Oasis of the Nymph , the Piana delle Orme, the Temple of Anxur in Terracina. The territory of Sabina instead accommodates four Franciscan sanctuaries. Simple and natural ingredients , strongly characterized from a genuine mark. This is Lazio’s culinary tradition , with its main products : labelled wine and oil, many types of cheese , from pecorino romano to scamorza. To these, countless products and typical plates are added , like porchetta and Genzano’s house-bread , pulses soups ( lentils of Onano) and Viterbo’s acquacotta, spaghetti all’ amatriciana , and the Scorzone in the province of Rieti , sausages of Filettino and puntarelle of Frosinone , spaghetti alla chitarra and Gaeta’s olives in the area of Latina. The park of Monti Lucretili with the Terminillo, the regional park of the Roman Castles , the national park of Circeo and that of Monti Simbrunini, are just some example of the incredible natural heritage of the Region’s territory , where thousands of hectares of green , mountains , lakes and winding roads welcome , wolves , golden eagles , with horses and rocks of every shape and information , creating variegated landscapes , embellished with a very wealthy flora. Rome Arrival in the Eternal City, with its charm , its history and its role as the head of Christianity. The extraordinary richness of its artistic , historic and religious heritage ranks Rome among the main destinations for international tourism. Rome , has always been considered a classic destination for cultural travels. Rome, Caput mundi ("capital of the world"), la Città Eterna ("the Eternal City"), Limen Apostolorum ("threshold of the Apostles"), la città dei sette colli ("the city of the seven hills") or simply l'Urbe ("the City"), is thoroughly modern and cosmopolitan. As one of the few major European cities that escaped World War II relatively unscathed, central Rome remains essentially Renaissance and Baroque in character. The founding of Rome is shrouded in legend such as the story of Romulus and Remus where ultimately Remus dies in the end, but archeological evidence supports the theory that Rome grew from pastoral settlements on the Palatine Hill and in the area of the future Roman Forum, coalescing into a city in the 8th century BC. That city developed into the capital of the Roman Kingdom , Roman Republic, and finally the Roman Empire; this success depended on military conquest, commercial predominance, as well as selective assimilation of neighboring civilizations, most notably the Etruscans and Greeks. Roman dominance expanded over most of Europe and the shores of the Mediterranean sea. For almost a thousand years, Rome was the most politically important, richest and largest city in the Western world, and remained so after the Empire started to decline and was split, even if it ultimately lost its capital status. With the rise of early Christianity, the Bishop of Rome gained religious as well as political importance, eventually becoming known as the Pope and establishing Rome as the centre of the Catholic Church. Rome remained the capital of the Papal States until its annexation into the Kingdom of Italy in 1870; the city flourished as a hub of cultural and artistic activity during the Renaissance and the Baroque, under the patronage of the Papal court. Caught up in the nationalistic turmoil of the 19th century and having twice gained and lost a short-lived independence, Rome became the focus of the hopes for Italian unification, as propelled by the Kingdom of Italy ruled by King Vittorio Emanuele II; Rome grew momentously after the war, as one of the driving forces behind the "Italian economic miracle" of post-war reconstruction and modernization. It became a fashionable city in the 1950s and early 1960s, the years of "'la Dolce Vita'" ("the sweet life") The historical centre ville is dominated by the traditional "Seven hills of Rome": the Capitoline, Palatine, Viminal, Quirinal, Esquiline, Caelian, and Aventine hills. The Tiber flows south through Rome, with the city centre located where the midstream Tiber Island facilitated crossing. Large parts of the ancient city walls remain. The Historic Centre of Rome is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site . The Vatican Vatican City, officially State of the Vatican City (Latin: Status Civitatis Vaticanae; Italian: Stato della Città del Vaticano), is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome. At approximately 44 hectares (108.7 acres), it is the smallest independent nation in the world. It was created in 1929 by the Lateran Treaty. Vatican City is a non-hereditary, elected monarchy that is ruled by the Bishop of Rome — the Pope. The highest state functionaries are all clergymen of the Catholic Church. It is the sovereign territory of the Holy See (Latin:Sancta Sedes) and the location of the Apostolic Palace — the Pope's official residence — and the Roman Curia. Thus, while the principal ecclesiastical seat (Cathedral) of the Pope as Bishop of Rome (the Basilica of St. John Lateran) is located outside of its walls, in Rome, Vatican City can be said to be the governmental capital of the Catholic Church. The Pope is ex officio head of state and head of government of Vatican City. He is simultaneously and primordially the bishop of the Diocese of Rome, and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. The term Holy See expresses the totality of his governance and pastoral ministry. His official title with regard to Vatican City is Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City. The Vatican City State has the distinction of having the smallest and oldest regular army in the world, the Swiss Guard. It was founded by Pope Julius II on January 22, 1506, and originally made up of Swiss mercenaries from the Swiss Confederation. They currently number a little over 100 men and are also the personal bodyguards of the Pope. Recruitment is restricted to Catholic male Swiss citizens. The Vatican City is itself of great cultural significance. Buildings such as St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel are home to some of the most famous art in the world, which includes works by artists such as Botticelli, Bernini and Michelangelo. The Vatican Library and the collections of the Vatican Museums are of the highest historical, scientific and cultural importance. In 1984, the Vatican was added by UNESCO to the List of World Heritage Sites; it is the only one to consist of an entire country. Furthermore, it is the only site to date registered with the UNESCO as a centre containing monuments in the "International Register of Cultural Property under Special Protection" according to the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. The Pope is ex officio head of state and head of government of Vatican City. He is simultaneously and primordially the bishop of the Diocese of Rome, and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. The term Holy See expresses the totality of his governance and pastoral ministry. His official title with regard to Vatican City is Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City. When the Pope is in residence, he grants public audiences on Wednesdays.