The gulf from Monte Orlando

A good pair of trekking shoes, a bottle of water and one of the many sunny mornings can secure a very special day by climbing to the top of Monte Orlando. The whole route totals about 4 km (less than three miles) and is easily completed on foot in about 3-4 hours. Nevertheless, Monte Orlando is plenty of ancient surprises and it is fairly easy to be tempted to spend the whole day exploring.In the course of ages, the shape of Monte Orlando has acquired its characteristics and spectacular deep cleft

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      Panoramic view from the
           Split Mountain

A protected urban park was created to protect the area in 1986. The area is protected and several species of birds, both migratory and otherwise, are common visitors of the cliffs. There is also a pair of Peregrine Falcons nesting on the cliffs. A mosaic of colors is produced by the brightness of the rocky limestone cliffs, the green of the Mediterranean vegetation and the emerald-indigo and cobalt reflections of the South Tyrrhenian Sea. The walk is long but the view of the city and the breathtaking views of Gaeta Bay and the open sea that await the traveler from such ancient place make the journey a very special one.

The appearance of Monte Orlando is closely connected to human history. The area has always been used for military purposes. During Gaeta Angevin dynasty time and Aragonese rule, it has provided a natural fortress on the borders between the Kingdom of Naples and the Papal States. Large number of trees of value for military construction was planted and, in time, became one with the local natural vegetation. The Bourbons alone planted over 40,000 trees, mainly oaks and pines from elsewhere, changing the natural population but contributing to create a beautiful example of fine Mediterranean woodland.

The starting point for the excursion is the Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity, which is reached from the centre of Gaeta by taking Via Munazio Planco and following the signs on the road. Cars can be parked in front of the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary was part of the nearby 9th century monastery of San Michele, in earlier times known as Planciano Monastery built. In truth, this corner of Mt. Orlando was originally the site of a much more ancient I century BC Roman villa attributed to the general Lucius Munatius Plancus.

In 1434 a church was built on the site to which further improvements were made in 1514 and which was restored in the Baroque age. On the opposite side of Via Crucis stands Cappella of S. Filippo Neri (St. Filippo Neri Chapel). On arrival at the Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity, the journey begins with a visit to the Cleft Mountain, a breathtaking cut that divides the limestone rock of the promontory into two, reaching down the sea level, and which local tradition attributes to the earthquake that shook the earth when Christ passed away on the cross. The terrace of the sanctuary offers a beautiful view over Serapo beach, and the view includes the vaults of Villa of L.M. Plancus and the reservoir high up in the park on top of Monte Orlando.

From the terrace built above the St. Philip Neri Chapel, suspended above the cleft, it is also possible to admire some beautiful example of dwarf palms growing from the rocky cliffs that drop vertically to the sea. In side the chapel there is a door on the right leading to what used to be the burial place of the monks. At the left are stairs, which descend through a split in the mountain to the Chapel of S S Crucifix (S.S. Crocefisso.). The Crucifix is wood from 16th century.Climbing back up and turning right before reaching the exit gate, one comes to the Turk’s Grotto, an extraordinary natural cavity in the rock where the sea waves break in with all their power creating a strong echo inside the grotto. There are 270 steps to descend and ascend, but the effort is more than compensated for by the unique, amazing view of the sea penetrating inside the mountain over the sea. From there visitors can go down into the cleft and observe an ancient inscription drawing attention to the handprint left in the rock by an incredulous and unknown Turkish sailor, maybe a pirate.