Aprilia is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination.
Aprilia is a city and comune (municipality) in the province of Latina, now incorporated in the conurbation of Rome, in the Lazio region of central Italy. It is the fifth town for population in the region and the tenth for its area.
HIGHLIGHTS
Aprilia is about 50 kilometres from Rome, roughly 30 from Latina, and lies in the southernmost part of the Agro Romano.
It is the youngest of the Founding Cities of the Latina province. It was inaugurated on 29 October 1937, only 18 months from its groundbreaking, which took place on 25 April 1936, at the end of the works for the reclaiming of the Pontine Marshes.
There are several sites of interest in Aprilia and environs: the Church of San Michele Arcangelo; in Carano, the tomb of General Menotti Garibaldi, son of Giuseppe Garibaldi; the ancient defensive tower of the Padiglione (today privately owned); the Oasis of Buonriposo, created by the Regione Lazio to protect and be the shelter of local fauna, as well as of stationary and migrant birds.
There is a large golf facility in this area, where tournaments and golf courses are held throughout the year.
The most significant events are the parade of allegorical carnival floats and costumes, the celebrations for Saint Michael Archangel and the October Organ Festival of Aprilia.
Territory
Aprilia is located at 80 metres (262 feet) above sea level, in the Agro Romano, and is 16 kilometres (10 miles) away from the Anzio and Nettuno sea side towns, 31 km (19 mi) from Rome and 16 km (10 mi) from Colli Albani. Although Aprilia is effectively part of the province of Latina, due to its northen positions strategically located between the Nettunense and the Pontina at the far north of the Pontinian province, Aprilia is commonly associated to Rome. It has been considered whether Aprilia should switch provinces to be included within the Rome metropolitan area.
Monuments and places of interest
Religious Architecture
The church was one of the first buildings built in the city, and was partially destroyed during the last world war. In 1952 the original dedication to St. Michael was added to St. Maria GorettiSt.Michael Archangel Statue
In the city centre of Aprilia, in the churchyard, stands the statue of the patron saint of the city „San Michele Arcangelo„, on which the historical wounds caused by the battle between Italo-Germans and Allies are still visible during the last world conflict.
Civil Architecture
Mausoleum of the Garibaldi family Mausoleo della famiglia Garibaldi
In the hamlet of Carano there is the mausoleum where the remains of seventeen members of the Garibaldi family rest.
In the family crypt is also buried Menotti Garibaldi, son of Anita and Giuseppe Garibaldi, who lived in that place for several years until his death in Rome in 1903.
On March 31, 2011 the tomb was profaned by some vandals. However, once the sarcophagus and the wooden chest containing Menotti’s remains were uncovered, the intruders were unable to remove anything.
Other
World War II – Monument to the Fallen
In Piazza della Repubblica there is a work created by the artist Luigi Gheno on a project by the architect Marcello De Rossi. The bronze and concrete stele was inaugurated on May 1, 1960, erected in honor of the fallen of all wars.[9][10]
Monument to the fallen of the Battle of Anzio
The monument, an obelisk located in via Carroceto, was inaugurated on February 18, 2014 and commemorates the fallen allies of the Battle of Anzio who remained without burial.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Roger Waters, former founder, singer and bassist of Pink Floyd, whose father (second lieutenant Eric Fletcher Waters) died during the landing, precisely on February 18, 1944, and whose remains have never been found.
For the first time Roger Waters visited Aprilia to see the exact place where his father lost his life, placing a wreath at the base of the monument.
The obelisk bears the Italian translation of some lines of a song composed by Roger Waters himself for Pink Floyd::
Cenere e diamanti / nemico e amico / eravamo tutti uguali alla fine— Pink Floyd, „Two Suns in the Sunset„, from the album The Final Cut (1983), Ashes and diamonds / foe and friend / we were all equal in the end
