Etruscan and Roman remains among sea, mountains and lake.
The Northwest Area of the Rome province includes the towns of Fiumicino, Ladispoli, Cerveteri, Santa Marinella,
Civitavecchia, Allumiere, Tolfa, Canale Monterano, Manziana, Bracciano, Trevignano Romano and Anguillara Sabazia.
Through an itinerary departing from Fiumicino and arriving to Bracciano Lake - by the Aurelian Way, the A12 highway and in part also the Cassian Way - the lovers of sea and nature will be satisfied, and so will be people who enjoy archaeology and gastronomy. This area looks on to the Tyrrhenian Sea, with the beaches of Fregene, Ladispoli, Santa Severa, Santa Marinella and Civitavecchia. But a few miles from the sea it is possible to enter the Mounts of the Tolfa and the Mounts Sabatini, where in a series of craterous hollows are the marvellous Bracciano Lake and the little lake of Martignano. Among the destinations of naturalistic interest it is important to mention the Macchia Grande Oasis northwards from the Fiumicino airport, that of Torre Flavia by Ladispoli, The Nature Reserves of Macchiatonda, Santa Marinella and Canale Monterano, in the town of the same name; then, is Caldara di Manziana characterized by the presence of sulphur waters.
The Northwest Area can be defined the region of the Roman Tuscia, because it is rich of Etruscan civilization evidences. It is also interesting to visit the museum and the necropolis of Cerveteri, The Taurine Thermae, and those of the Ficoncella (of Roman times) in Civitavecchia, or - when it will be opened to the public - the archaeological park of Fiumicino. Here, the Ships Museum, near the airport, is worth a visit. After Fiumicino, going on along the coast, you arrive at Ladispoli. Of particular interest is the visit to the ancient Flavia Tower. After few miles you arrive at the Santa Severa castle, where you can see the medieval village, the town museum and the Antiquarium. The last stop is Civitavecchia, where the National Archaeological Museum is situated. The necropolis of Scaglia is also interesting.
From the sea, you go up towards the mountains, and find Allumiere and Tolfa, framed by the Mounts of the Tolfa, where kites, pilgrim hawks, hedgehogs, squirrels, foxes and wild boars live. In Allumiere, you cannot miss the museum of alum, and in Tolfa the leather objects linked to the tradition of "butteri" (cowboys). Horses lovers should visit the Nature Reserve of Canale Monterano, which also includes the ruins of the medieval Monterano. Next to it, are the remains of the Etruscan necropolis, such as those of the Bandita, the Frassineta and the Palombara. There are many archaeological evidences spread between Macchia Grande and Caldara, the Mount of the Eremo and the Boccalupo ditch in the area of the Manziana District; among these stands the Pagan Altar (Ara Pagana), The Hypogeum of Santa Pupa and the ruins of the Devil's Bridge (Ponte del Diavolo).
From Manziana - with the Braccian-Claudian Way - you arrive at Bracciano, overlooked by the Odescalchi castle. You cannot miss the tour with the Sabazia II boat, which in rounding the lake stops in Trevignano Romano - with its characteristic historical centre and in Anguillara Sabazia - with its XVI century monuments.
Not to miss:
Allumiere Palio delle contrade Ferragosto (Half of August)
Anguillara Sabazia Sagra del pesce June - July
Canale Monterano Palio delle contrade e Corsa del Bigoncio Second half of August
Cerveteri Sagra del vino novello 11th November
Civitavecchia Il Padellone 15th August
Ladispoli Sagra del Carciofo April
Tolfa Torneo dei butteri July-August
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