Gaeta, culture and tourism origins
Gaeta is a town in the province of Latina (Lazio) which has about 22,500 inhabitants.
The territory covers an area of about 28.48 square kilometers and is a sought-after tourist destination as regards bathing and historical, cultural and religious tourism.
The city of Gaeta is immersed in the Riviera of Ulysses, entity of the Lazio Region which has the task of managing three regional protected areas such as the Park of Monte Orlando, the Park of Gianola and Monte di Scauri and the Natural Monument Villa di Tiberio and Costa Torre Capovento – Punta Cetarola.
The origins of the name of Gaeta are still shrouded in legend:
- Strabo pointed out its origin from the term “Gaetas” used by the laconi fishermen to indicate the site, with clear reference to the wide inlet of its gulf.
- Diodorus Siculus linked these lands to the myth of the Argonauts by deriving the name of the city from “Aietes”, mythical father of Medea (daughter of Circe), the sorceress in love with Jason.
- Virgil, in the Aeneid (Eneide, VII, 1-4) found its origin in the name of the nurse of Aeneas, “Cajeta”, buried by the Trojan hero on that site during his journey to the Lazio coasts. Dante, as if to signify the historicity of the Eneide, confirmed the event (Inferno, XXVI, 92).
Gaeta develops on a promontory (hence the creation of the homonymous gulf) characterized by inlets, beaches and cliffs on the western side, and the commercial area (Porto) on the eastern side. On the west side of the promontory of Gaeta you can count seven beaches, all equally beautiful and evocative: the beach of S. Agostino, S. Vito, Arenauta, Ariana Beach, 40 Remi, Fontania, Serapo Beach.
The Eastern side of the city is characterized by shipyards and shipbuilding, the Fish Market, the commercial Port.
The Historic Center of the City is commonly referred to as “Gaeta Vecchia“; this includes the whole area that extends from the Port of Charles III to the Command of the Guardia di Finanza, completely embracing the Park of Monte Orlando.
The historic center is full of characteristic alleys and very important monuments, among which we mention the Cathedral of Sant’Erasmo, the Church of Santa Lucia, Sanctuary of Montagna Spaccata, Angioino Aragonese Castle.
The gaetan economy is mainly linked to seaside tourism and the many activities that take place within the commercial port. Fishing and bathing are the most profitable activities. Erasmus and Marciano are the patrons of the city, and are celebrated on June 2nd.
