Formia, a holiday resort for the ancient Rome aristocracy

Formia became a flourishing port and leisure destination for powerful and wealthy Roman citizen during the imperial age and place of vacation for the noble patricians of ancient Rome’s aristocracy. Like other ancient towns and villages of this area of Southern Lazio, Formia is another place where history left its fascinating marks and its ruins are the reminders of very famous people who either lived here semi permanently or holidayed here regularly, as a break from their duties in Rome.

            Cicero’s tomb

The mildness of Formia’s climate was described by the famous Roman poet Marziale to his friend Apollinare with the words "O temperate dulce Formiae litus.." (ho what a mild, sweet harbor Formia...)

Emperors Tiberius, Nerva, or important characters as Cicero and Maecenas lived here when not in Rome. Local tradition of very ancient origins wants that here Cicero was killed by the murderers sent by Mark Anthony. In the vineyards between Itri and Formia is a round tower known as the Tomb of Cicero. The great Roman orator and statesman was murdered at the age of 64 in this area, near his country estate at Formia, in the year 43 B.C. The most significant monument in the vast archeological area around Formia, it is located along the Appian Way, in the direction of Itri, at km. 139. The tower, a massive burial chamber stands out among olive groves and cypresses surrounded by an ample wall.

The attribution of this mausoleum is a mere hypothesis, given the absence of precise indications, but it can be dated to the 1st century BC on account of the building architecture and style. It is an imposing tower-like structure, placed at the centre of a burial ground surrounded by a wall in limestone reticulate style with pillow-shaped stone blocks. The rich presence of Roman sites in Formia has provided important sculptures to Italian and foreign museums. The original Roman Antiquarium was expanded with other important findings into today’s National Archaeological Museum.

The museum occupies the entire ground floor of Palazzo Comunale in Via Vitruvio, overlooking Piazza della Vittoria. Some of the museum rooms are the result of an extension following the use of the monastery and church of St Teresa (18th century). In the area outside, visitors are welcomed by sculptures lined up and bearing inscriptions in honor of classic, elegant veiled women, nude heroes and toga-clad statesmen. Most of these statues were found in the area of Piazza Mattei and around the Forum crossed by the Via Appia during the works for opening of the main street Via Vitruvio .

During the 70s many statues were transferred to Naples Archeological Museums. Generally this typology of statues dates back as far as to the Emperor Julius and Claudius. But it is interesting to notice that Formia’s statues are certainly belong to the days of Hadrian, creating an unsolved archaeological mystery around the authors. Among the exhibits, the statue of ‘Leda col cigno’ (Leda with the swan) deserves a particular mention for its grace and beauty. The statue was found in the Roman crypt-portico of a Roman villa under Piazza della Vittoria together with a number of amphorae and Corinthian-style capitals and a panel with important inscriptions in Latin.

The entire town of Formia and the area around its sweet, round hills are hiding amazing archaeological surprises and historic treasures. Behind its modern look and nice looking shops, there is an ancient medieval town with even older Roman ruins scattered all over: this is the double identity of Formia, included in a single and unique piece of history.