Corso Cavour, 04024 Gaeta, Italy (September 2019)

Gaeta

Gaeta is a historic coastal city in southern Lazio, set on a dramatic peninsula between Rome and Naples where the Tyrrhenian Sea meets rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. With its striking natural setting, deep maritime heritage, and layered history, Gaeta has long held a strategic and cultural importance along Italy’s western coast. Today, it offers visitors a rich blend of scenic beauty, ancient traditions, and relaxed Mediterranean life.

The history of Gaeta stretches back to antiquity, when it was known as Caieta, a name linked to classical legend. Its natural harbour made it an ideal settlement for ancient peoples and later a vital port during Roman times. Over the centuries, Gaeta developed into a powerful maritime city, benefiting from its defensive position and strong naval presence. In the Middle Ages, it emerged as an independent duchy and later became a key stronghold contested by empires and kingdoms due to its military and economic significance.

One of Gaeta’s most defining features is its historic old town, which rises in tiers along the slopes of the peninsula. Narrow streets, stairways, and archways wind between pastel-coloured buildings, churches, and small squares that offer glimpses of the sea below. The Angevin-Aragonese Castle, perched high above the town, dominates the skyline and serves as a reminder of Gaeta’s fortified past. From its vantage points, sweeping views extend across the coastline and the open sea, highlighting the city’s enduring connection to maritime life.

Religious and cultural landmarks are deeply woven into Gaeta’s identity. The Sanctuary of Montagna Spaccata is among the most famous, dramatically situated on a split rock overlooking the sea. This site combines natural wonder with spiritual tradition, attracting visitors for both its legend and its breath-taking views. The Cathedral of Saints Erasmus and Marciano reflects the city’s religious heritage and houses important works of art and sacred relics, reinforcing Gaeta’s role as a centre of devotion through the centuries.

Gaeta’s relationship with the sea continues to shape daily life and local traditions. Fishing remains an important activity, and seafood plays a central role in the local cuisine. One of the city’s most distinctive culinary specialties is the tiella, a savoury pie traditionally filled with seafood or vegetables, which reflects the ingenuity and flavours of coastal Lazio. Meals in Gaeta are often simple yet rich in taste, emphasizing fresh ingredients and long-established recipes.

The natural environment surrounding Gaeta adds to its appeal. Golden beaches such as Serapo and Ariana lie just steps from the historic centre, offering clear waters and soft sand framed by hills and cliffs. The nearby Aurunci Mountains provide a contrasting landscape of forests and trails, creating opportunities for hiking and exploration beyond the shore. This combination of sea and mountains gives Gaeta a unique balance between relaxation and adventure.

Gaeta is a city shaped by history, faith, and the sea. Its atmosphere is calm yet deeply rooted, inviting visitors to slow down and experience its rhythms. More than a picturesque seaside town, Gaeta reveals a story of endurance and identity, where natural beauty and human history remain closely intertwined.

Worth a Visit

Photo Gallery of Walk – Corso Cavour to Via G. Buonomo
Approximately 1.95 km – 1.21 miles

The walk starts in Corso Cavour – Via Lungomare Giovanni Caboto – Piazza X IX Maggio – Piazza della Libertà – Via dell’Indipendenza – Via Lungomare Giovanni Caboto – Via G. Buonomo