The hidden beauty of Gaeta:
The Borgo and the hills

In Arco della Madonnella in Via Indipendenza further traces can be found, while an overpass in opus reticulatum overlooks the ancient villa remains of Lucius Sempronius Atratinus (73-20 BC). L.S. Atratinus was an eminent Roman admiral. His villa includes a burial chamber, similar to the tomb of Lucius M. Plancus on top of Monte Orlando but without the stone decoration which was used to construct Gaeta ’s bell tower.

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  Springtime around rural Gaeta

The remains of Atratinus villa can be reached via Salita dell’Atratina in Via Indipendenza or by using the SS 213 Via Flacca (Km 28,8). Via Indipendenza known also as ‘il budello’ is crossed by numerous lanes and arches characterized by ancient buildings and houses. Its peculiar architecture offers color and life to the area, making of it a picturesque corner of what is left of real Italy.

There are many lovely ‘vicoli or vichi’ (little alleys) that start from Via Indipendenza and lead to the sea crossing Lungomare Caboto, the longest street of Gaeta. One of the lanes leads to a well-lit flight of steps which turn leads to the small but lovely and picturesque Church of the Convento degli Agostiniani Scalzi , founded in 1624 and closed in 1806. All along the pedestrian main street beautiful stone doorways hint at the life of a time gone by.

Via Indipendenza shows a lively commerce of handicraft, cookery and real gourmet food shopping of a population whose traditions and legacy are equally dependent on both land and sea. The street is no more than 2,5 mt (about 7,5 feet) wide and its ancient pavement is made with eruptive stones. The locals call it 'il Budello’ (the intestine) and the Americans of the VI Fleet Flagship based in Gaeta call it ‘Piccolo Alley’, (small alley). Every day the fishermen boats come back in the small port near the Borgo so that the fresh fish can be sold in the small fish market nearby. Bit by bit it is easy to get familiar with the local fishermen by buying their fresh fish directly from the boat. In fact, at the nearby fishermen's dockyard sometimes it is possible to buy fish directly from the boats.

This is a such enjoyable thing that my father use to do buying it from the fishing boat directly in the open sea from our boat even before the fishermen came back to the port. This area was a well-know for its ship-building, a traditional and ancient activity which still gives this area a typical and charming Mediterranean seaport look. Not far away, the long seafront offers peaceful and comforting scenes of mature gentlemen fishing side by side with their grandchildren on the gulf. With its character of ancient sea town and the beauty of thousands years behind, Gaeta is a enchanting place where to be for whoever loves the sea and even more for who loves sailing and explore the open sea in the Mediterranean.