The Italian port city with the melodious name of Civitavecchia, with the history of its formation, goes back to ancient times, back to the Etruscans. Typical for the cities of the Roman Empire began to acquire features in the II century. n e., when the arrangement of a convenient sea harbor engaged in the emperor Trajan. Since then, the city managed to be ruled by the Romans, Byzantines, become an independent port in 1696, again fall under the “boot”, but already French in 1849, to suffer fairly from the bombing in World War II, then recover from all the shocks and again become the main port of Rome and all of Italy.
Why is Civatavecchia attractive?
The first and probably most important thing that attracts hordes of tourists to Civatavecchia is the special port status of the city. Indeed, a considerable proportion of guests are passengers on cruise ships. The port of Civitavecchia is a truly huge transport terminal connecting Rome and all of Italy with many cities of Europe and Africa via sea routes.
Civitavecchia is primarily a port city
Transport opportunities of this port city are actively used by tourists "from both sides." So, to go on vacation to Malta, Sicily or Sardinia, it is very convenient to fly to Rome Fiumicino Airport, and from there to overcome the remaining 80 km to the port. On the other hand, tourists traveling in France, Spain or Tunisia also often take the opportunity to take a fascinating boat trip with a very convenient check-in to Rome when stopping at the port of Civitavecchia.
But do not forget that this city itself deserves to come here on purpose and spend a great vacation. There are interesting historical sights, excellent beaches and plenty of opportunities for a fascinating and diverse pastime.
How to get to Civitavecchia
The most “obvious” way to get to the port of Civitavecchia is by sea. The busiest ferry routes are from Porto Vecchio, Toulon, Palermo, as well as from Barcelona and Tunisia.
The most convenient way to get to Civitavecchia is by sea.
But the city can also be easily reached by bus or train. The nearest air harbor is Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport. From there, first to Termini Station, and then to Civitavecchia, almost every day, several trains depart for an hour of a very different class - from the usual cheap Regionale trains to the flagship White Arrows Frecciabianca. You can find a detailed schedule and pre-book tickets for a convenient date here.
If you are traveling with your own or rented vehicles, you will be brought to Civitavecchia by the E80 motorway, both from Rome and from the opposite direction, from Grossetto. Alternatively, you can go from Rome via SS1 - this road is free, but its speed is limited, significantly in some places.
From Civitavecchia to Rome and back
Another thing is if you were in the port of Civitavecchia during the cruise, and you want to take the opportunity to see the Eternal City. In this case, you will also not have any problems with transport.
From 5 a.m. direct trains to Rome begin to leave from Civitavecchia train station. The first train leaving at 5:00 arrives at Roma Ostiense station. Travel time is 43 minutes, the ticket costs 11.5 euros (July 2017).
But this is a relatively expensive Intercity train. And after 5 minutes, the usual Regionale leaves for half the price - 5 euros. Only travel time will you spend more - 1 hour 20 minutes. But the train arrives at the more "mainstream" station in Rome - Termini. From this moment, Regionale trains begin to run literally every 15 minutes until late at night (the last train leaves at 22:44).
The building of the city railway station
You can return back along the Rome Civitavecchia route in exactly the same way, until midnight - at 0:11 from night Roma Ostiense station in Rome departs at night Intercity. Train schedules and current ticket prices can be found here.
Having at your disposal the whole day and the firm conviction that at almost any moment you can quickly reach the port of Civitavecchia, you have every chance to see, if not all, then almost all the main sights of Rome. To help you with your choice of destination, we have already developed a detailed route. You can familiarize yourself with it in the article "What to see in Rome on your own in 1 day."
Civitavecchia Attractions
The historical sights of Civitavecchia significantly fell during the Second World War, but for the most part the most striking examples of ancient architecture have survived and are well preserved to this day. They should be considered in more detail.
One of the oldest and most impressive Civitavecchia sights in the north of the city is Terme Taurina - preserved to our days in the form of picturesque ruins. They will be more modest in scale than the terms of Caracalla in Rome, but they amaze the imagination no less.
Terme Taurina - one of the most ancient sights of Civitavecchia
If the previous "spa" has not been used for its intended purpose for more than a thousand years, then Ficoncella terms, on the contrary, even now they can please those who wish to strengthen their health in thermal springs. The temperature of the water in the sources ranges from 30 to 60 degrees.
Another of Civitavecchia's main attractions is fortress of michelangelo. The majestic fortress built in the XVI century. was erected during the reign of Pope Julius the Second to protect the main port of Rome. Most of the fortifications were designed by Donato Bramante, but the upper part of the Mascio tower was designed by Michelangelo Buonarroti. It is no wonder that the name of the illustrious architect overshadowed the main developer, and the main attraction of Civitavecchia is still called so - the Fortress of Michelangelo.
An indelible impression on tourists and the formidable fortress of Michelangelo
Worth a look at Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, which is located between Garibaldi street and the historic city center. The cathedral was built in the XVIII century. Franciscan monks on the site of a small church built in 1610. The building is made in an interesting mix of Baroque and neoclassicism.
Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi
If there is the slightest opportunity - take the time to travel a few kilometers outside of Civitavecchia, following Via Aurelia towards Rome, and very soon the walls of a stern, impregnable and majestic will appear to your amazed look santa north castle. This is one of the oldest castles in Italy, fully preserved to this day. It was built on the site of an ancient Roman fort and the first mention of it dates back to 1068.
Tourists have access to the castle's courtyard, where during the tourist season interesting cultural events are organized every weekend. Here, a couple of steps from the walls of the castle there is a very good sandy beach.
The Santa Severo Castle is one of the oldest castles in Italy that has survived to the present day.
Deserves attention and National Archaeological Museum Civitavecchia. Here are collected the priceless artifacts of antiquity collected from the territories of the ancient Roman port, the Taurina term and other significant places nearby. One of the museum’s most interesting exhibits is a commemorative inscription preserved from 845 on the restoration of the city after the destructive raid of the Saracens.
It is also worth highlighting one extremely interesting exhibit - a statue of Apollo, presumably of the 1st century BC. BC e. She was once discovered in Santa Marinella during excavations at the site of the current Villa Simonetti.
Beach vacation
The beach component of Civitavecchia has its own peculiarity, consisting mainly in the heterogeneity of these very beaches. There are pebbles, and strips of solid sand, and rocky areas.
If you are looking for the safest sandy bottom with a gentle slope - you will have to ride to the beach resort of Sant'Agostino, which is 10 km from the port of Civitavecchia, if you move towards Tarquinia. The two-kilometer beach is very well equipped, convenient and safe for families with children. Actually, it is he who collects the most bathers.
A little closer to the city is La Frasca beach. Here, mainly reefs that stretch for 6 km almost close to the urban line of Civitavecchia. With the conditions for swimming on the beach, "stress", but it is a great place for diving and fishing. In addition, a little further from the coast is just a wonderful pine forest with lots of options for camping.
Pirgo Beach is one of the few well-equipped beaches in the city.
Almost immediately behind the port, "down the map" is Pirgo Beach. It was equipped for swimming recently, but the infrastructure and service are actively developing. The beach is pebble, and in this respect it is "on the fan". But on the other hand, the Pirgo beach has a very aesthetically attractive background - the beach stretches along a whole series of very beautiful new buildings. In the summer, exciting show programs are often held at the newly built shipyard.
If the natural beaches of Civitavecchia are suddenly not enough for you, and you want something more “peppy,” you should definitely go to the local Aquafelix water park. Here you will have slides, and pools with waves, and a water disco. Especially for the leisure and entertainment of children, professional animators work. Here you can also have a bite - there is a bar with snacks and drinks and a fast food restaurant on site.
Other interesting articles:
- What to see in Rome on your own in 1 day
- The most interesting sights of the Vatican
- Excursions in Rome in Russian: 5 most popular
- Roman Forum: the ancient heart of the Eternal City
- Borghese Gallery: Rome's most coveted and inaccessible museum
