If you’re seeking a tranquil holiday in Rome without all of its hustle and bustle, this place is your best bet. You’ll be amazed by the cleanliness in this little township, as well as the variety of open cafes and shopping spots!
Civitavecchia is a city and comune of the Metropolitan City of Rome in the central Italian region of Lazio.
HIGHLIGHTS
A sea port on the Tyrrhenian Sea, it is located 60 kilometres (37 miles) west-north-west of the center of Rome. The harbour is formed by two piers and a breakwater, on which stands a lighthouse. Civitavecchia had a population of around 53,000 as of 2015.
Fontana del Vanvitelli
The Fontana del Vanvitelli is an enchanting fountain that is well preserved by the community and truly stands out, with its shades of white. It is made entirely out of travertine, a form of limestone. Located in close proximity to the harbor, Fontana del Vanvitelli was inserted into the walls as a means of defending the city against enemy attacks. The main detail of the fountain is its head, with its figure of a faun (half human and half goat).
Civitavecchia Port
This deepwater port of Italy was founded more than a millennium ago, under the watchful eyes of the Roman Emperor, Trajan. Today, it is home to a myriad of cruises, with many ferry lines operating from its base in Sicily, Sardinia and other parts of the Mediterranean.
There are shuttle buses (some complimentary, others with a fee) that will bring you to your ship or the Civitavecchia Railroad Station. It’s a great place to be if you want a few hours of salty air and later, a cruise trip to show you the sights of the ocean!
Museo Archeologico Nazionale – Civitavecchia
It might seem tiny to some, but this national museum is power-packed. Each display has its own multi-language signage and, as far as moving about goes, the museum’s passages are wide and definitely intoxicating. It’s a well-lit, airy museum, that provides its visitors with interesting exhibits on Italy’s rich historical eras.
Terme Taurine
This is a bathing complex that dates back to the Roman times. It’s nestled atop a hill and is surprisingly not packed with tourists. The great thing about this place is that you’ll be able to walk around and touch the remains of the complex. There is also a decent amount of information available in English for international visitors. Entrance for non-guided entry is 5.94 USD.
Main sights
The massive Forte Michelangelo was first commissioned from Donato Bramante by Pope Julius II, to defend the port of Rome. The upper part of the “maschio” tower, however, was designed by Michelangelo, whose name is generally applied to the fortress. North of the city at Ficoncella are the Terme Taurine baths frequented by Romans and still popular with the Civitavecchiesi. The modern name stems from the common fig plants among the various pools. And also next to the town is the location of the cruise ship docks. All major cruise lines start and end their cruises at this location, and others stop for shore excursion days that allow guests to see Rome and Vatican sights, which are ninety minutes away.
