Cultural Itineraries
Cultural Itineraries
Esdra is the starting point of a journey that begins inside of you: between a visit at the spa and a romantic candlelight dinner, there is a world of continuous discovery, of search for beauty and novelty through which one can fully live their emotions.
At Esdra, we strive at creating a 360 degree experience where nature, culture and art are in perfect equilibrium. To ensure that you explore the best the territory has to offer, we have designed itineraries around the areas of the Liri Valley, the coast of Fondi, Sperlonga and its surroundings. Some itineraries can be visited in half a day, while others require an entire day; you choose which best meets your needs.
To fully appreciate the secrets and the charm of our cultural itineraries, a highly experienced guide is key. At the Esdra Estate, we work with only the best: our visits are organized by Matteo Zagarola, an archaeologist who works in collaboration with the Lestrigonia Cultural Association of Formia.
For years, Matteo Zagarola has been organizing educational workshops and cultural events, while working as a touristic guide for some of the most prestigious cultural organizations in the world: the Vatican Necropolis and the St. Peter’s Basilica, to name a few.
Every day, it’s possible to book a tour to explore a different site with our guide who’s both Italian and English speaking. Discover medieval Gaeta, the mysteries of ancient Minturnae, as well as Formae, Sperlonga and many other important places. Free visits, with a voluntary offering, are organized. On Saturday, for example, we head to the Fregellae oasis and the castle of Roccasecca.
Our first stop is the city of Fregellae (328 BC/124 BC), the most important Latin Italian colony and also the representative of the Italic instances in the Senate of Rome. The latter decided to destroy it in 124 BC, however, some of its architecture has remained intact throughout the centuries making it one of the most important and long-lived sites in the world. Moving along, Fabrateria Nova is the city where most of the inhabitants of Fregellae were deported. Immersed in the green and rich in ruins which speak about the past more than words ever can, Fabrateria Nova is located close enough to be reached by foot or by bicycle. With herons, storks and falcons, the area is known for its magnificent birdlife. Finally, there is the castle of Roccasecca, built at the end of the first millennium AD, silhouetted on the Liri plain, and place of birth of St. Thomas Aquinas.
The Roman city of Minturnae is mainly famous for the production of Falerno, the wine most loved by the area’s population. But it was also an internationally known port. Apicius, the Roman chef who left his recipes to later be used to revive the local cuisine, was born here and is another reason that makes the city famous. The Real Ferdinando Bridge (first European suspension bridge) and the Commonwealth War Cemetery are two other reasons to visit.
Arpino is an important archeological and artistic site in Lazio, but not only: Civita Vecchia (the ancient Acropolis) maintains medieval traces and through the massive city walls, it’s common to come across doors called “gothic arch” (in reality, “corbel arch”) typical of the Mycenaean culture. This place was home to Gaius Marius, Cicero and perhaps Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, the most important personalities of ancient Rome’s political scene. We then arrive at the Liri Island, famous for the waterfall in its center and for its many places of worship. Finally, we explore the Casamari abbey (Cereatae Marianae), a piece of architecture that dates back to more than a millennium ago.
On the Liri plain, stands the majestic castle of Roccasecca, which dates back to the first millennium AD. After visiting it, we make our way to the castle of the counts of Acquino and to the Hermitage of San Michele in Caprile, a true paradise for the lovers of art.
Places of interest:
The Montecassino abbey is one of the most famous places of worship, not only in Italy and in Europe, but also in the world. A work of St. Benedict of Norcia, it was built in 529. While its history is marked with bombings and destruction by humans (the Saracens, the Lombards, the Allied troops during the 2nd World War) and by natural disasters (the 1349 earthquake), this has never prevented the abbey to rise and to show the world its cloisters, its staircase, its crypt rich of mosaics and its important museum.
On a peaceful lush green slope in the town of Collepardo, stands the Trisulti Charterhouse: a fascinating abbey enclosed within imposing walls, declared a national monument. Within the complex, we find treasures like the church of St. Bartholomew (with an architecture that was first gothic and then baroque), the Romanesque-Gothic quarters, the famous pharmacy and the wonderful gardens. Let’s not forget the ancient library which contains over 36,000 volumes.
A place that stands out in every way, situated behind a rocky hill approximately 300 m above sea level in the municipality of Veroli, since the 13th century, the Casamari abbey remains a major representation of the Cistercian gothic architecture. Despite its many transformations, its integrity remained unaffected: the arched entryways, the portico with four-mullioned windows, the Roman era columns, and the elegantly understated interiors. For these reasons, it is undoubtedly one of the main cultural attractions of the region. The archeological museum, the cloister and the chapterhouse are also noteworthy.
For a full day outing, it is possible to combine various itineraries: 1 and 4 or 1 and 3, for example. Itinerary 2 can be combined with a visit to the Gianola park and the historic center of the town of Formia. The itineraries can be completed by other site visits for which there is an entrance fee (including a guide).
The hermitages of Roccasecca encompass those of Homo Bono, of San Michele in Caprile and of the Holy Spirit. Easily explored in half a day, this unforgettable visit through history and nature takes you back in time to a majestic era.
A 3 hour visit, the itinerary takes you from the Castle of counts of Acquino in Roccasecca to Mount Asprano. The remains of Castrum Coeli, medieval and even prehistoric traces, unspoiled nature and the perfume of history, make up this breathtaking route. The visit ends where we first departed from.