Surroundings

NOT TO BE MISSED in Velletri:

• Start the tour from the “Oreste Nardini” Archaeological Museum, which houses finds from ancient Velitrae, including the Sarcophagus of the Labours of Hercules dating back to the 2nd century AD.
• Go to the Civic Museum of Geopaleontology and Prehistory of the Alban Hills, which illustrates the natural history of the area through fossil finds. Visit the website https://www.velletrimusei.it/it/museo-geopaleontologico ;
• Enjoy the suggestive light of the Velletri Town Hall during sunset;
• Admire the Lombard Gothic style Torre del Trivio, which dates back to 1353.
• Pause at the church of Santa Maria in Trivio adjacent to the tower;
• Take a stroll in the Villa Ginnetti Municipal Park;
• Immerse yourself in the cloister of the House of Cultures and Music - Ex Convent of Carmine, browse the gallery and visit the website https://fondarc.it/casa-delle-culture-e-della-musica/ ;
• Reach the Church of Santa Lucia, consecrated in 1032, is one of the oldest religious buildings in the city. Next to the church, until 1720, there was the Porta di Santa Lucia, one of the ancient access gates to the city of Velletri. During the plague epidemic in France, the gate was walled up to limit the entry of people potentially carrying the disease.
• Don't miss the Basilica Cathedral of San Clemente. Its construction, subjected to numerous renovations and expansions, dates back to the 4th century, when it was built on the remains of a pagan Roman temple dedicated to Mars.
• Discover the city's traditions by observing the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie inside the Basilica of San Clemente. If you are curious, read this article about it https://ilcaffe.tv/articolo/192229/la-storia-della-processione-dei-ceri-e-della-madonna-che-protegge-velletri-da-400-anni;
• Visit the Diocesan Museum in the monumental complex annexed to the Cathedral of San Clemente, visit the website https://www.museionline.info/musei/museo-diocesano-di-velletri ;
• Reach the Archaeological Area of ​​the Holy Stigmata and visit the site https://www.velletrimusei.it/it/area-archeologica-delle-ss-stimmate-velletri ;
• Admire the Baroque Monumental Fountain in Piazza Mazzini;
• Go through the ancient Porta Napoletana. Built between 1511 and 1519, and remained intact over time, the gate connected Velletri to the road to Naples, representing a southern border of the Papal State;
• Not everyone knows that the famous actor Ugo Tognazzi lived part of his life in Velletri. It is possible to visit the Casa Museo Ugo Tognazzi, where the actor lived between the 1960s and 1990s,
• Discover the Orto del Pellegrino, an example of how Velletri was an important stop along the Via Francigena. Between the year 1000 and 1300, pilgrims could find refreshment and treatment at local abbeys and convents. The garden was used to grow medicinal plants that were used to prepare healing remedies for sick or tired wayfarers. Visit the website lortodelpellegrino.it (open by reservation only, contact: 06 948 44177– 338 700 8304);