Sabaudia
Sabaudia arose from a design competition held by the reclamation’s management authority, the Opera Nazionale Combattenti, which was won by a group of four architects who submitted a rationalist concept with connections to Italian cityscape heritage.
But let’s see together the town of Sabaudia what to see and what to do.
City
The Town Hall and the Civic Tower, the nerve center from which streets, squares, and open spaces branch forth, and which, with its 46 meters, dominates the entire city, are among the buildings not to be missed if you are in Sabaudia. The Emilio Greco museum, located on the ground floor of the town hall, was founded in 1985 following the Master’s bequest and refurbished in 2001 on a project by Professor Giulio Savio. Drawings, etchings, lithographs, bronzes, plaster casts, medals, coins, and a series of stamps commemorating major international events are among the eighty items on display.
Another significant structure is the post office and telegraph building, which was constructed in the early 1930s and now houses the Angiolo Mazzoni Documentation Center.
Then there’s the “Marcello Zei” Civic Museum of the Sea and the Coast, which was founded in 1992 and is divided into two sections: biological – naturalistic and archaeological, which are further separated into prehistoric archeology and classical archeology. The main forms of life found in Sabaudia’s litoral, as well as reperti and apparati related to human activities related to the use of the sea and the reconstruction of a Roman-era transport ship with anfore, vasellame, and other necessary equipment for navigation and equipaggio life, are presented.
The Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Sorresca, which dates from the 12th century, is one of the ecclesiastical buildings on the shores of Lake Paola. Although it is in Sabaudia’s municipality, it is governed by the Parish of San Felice Martire, which has been doing so since before Sabaudia’s founding. The sanctuary houses an ancient wooden figure of the Sorresca, which is commemorated with a procession from San Felice Circeo to the little church on the Monday after Pentecost.
Circeo National Park
The Circeo National Park, which spans the municipalities of Latina, Sabaudia, San Felice Circeo, and the island of Zannone, is another attraction in Sabaudia. Circeo Park was established in 1934 to safeguard a number of unique ecosystems as well as wildlife. Because of its establishment, the entire deforestation of the old and intricate “Selva di Terracina” was prevented, which was occurring at the time during the integrated reclamation’s draining and appoderation treatments.
With the establishment of Riserve Naturali and international recognition of environmental value, the Parco del Circeo has improved its surface area and quality throughout the years. The northernmost laghi, as well as the island of Zannone, are part of the protected territory.
There are also important finds of prehistoric and archaeological finds, evidence of the presence of man in the Circeo since ancient times. The numerous caves and natural shelters of the promontory are, in fact, very important prehistoric sites in which, in addition to the discovery of a Neanderthal man’s skull (Grotta Guattari), there are numerous other testimonies (fossil remains, stone tools, etc. ) which can give an idea of the presence of man and his activities in the course of the prehistoric eras.
Finally, there are visitor-oriented structures, such as the Sabaudia visitor center, which includes an information desk, naturalistic museum, library, audiovisual room, and picnic space.
Torre Paola
Torre Paola, one of the Circeo promontory’s defense towers, is one of the most popular and must-see attractions. It was part of a complex of six towers that defended the Circeo promontory. It is the only one that has kept the original structure to this day. It is without a doubt one of Sabaudia’s most popular tourist attractions, especially during the summer, and it is worth seeing not just for its charm but also for the neighboring beautiful beaches.
Villa di Domiziano
The Villa of Domitian, which stretches over 46 hectares along the banks of Lake Paola in Sabaudia, has just recently been brought to light. It was erected for Emperor Titus Flavius Domitian and is the second-largest imperial mansion in Lazio, after Villa Adriana in Tivoli. It had a private harbor, a sophisticated water system, as well as spas and swimming pools.
The Domitian Villa is closed to the general public and may only be viewed with a guided tour and prior reservation. The remnants of Domitian’s Villa can be seen via boat or canoe.
The Casarina, located near the Domitian Villa, is an ancient edifice that sits on one of Lake Paola’s peninsulas. The first construction works, which are said to have taken place in the last years of the first century BC, were aimed at creating a public bathing-bath complex. Then came a series of repairs and restorations that lasted practically continuously until the eighteenth century.
