Neighbourhoods

Serapo Beach | La Catena | Gaeta Mediaeval

Porto Salvo | Rural Zone

Serapo’s quarter . This district started in the 1930s and was fully developed between the 60s and the 80s. Most properties are villas for one or more families along the marina very close to Serapo’s beach. Further away from the beach and around Corso Italia most properties are middle-size condos with 10-15 units each. This beach is located between the green vegetation of the hills which slope to the rocks and to the crystal-clear blue sea. Serapo is very close to the very heart of the town,

between Mt. Orlando and Fontania. On the small, nearby beach of Fontania, one can still see the ruins of an existing ancient Roman villa. When on beach, it is possible to admire the old fortress on top of Mt Orlando and the monastery that is at the entry to Split Mountain and the Turk’s Grotto. All of this while either sunbathing on the beach or swimming in the sea.The first area with villa has properties within higher price range while the condos are mostly within mid-higher price. This is the district where one can find Gaeta’s main street market with all its hundred or more stalls, a slice of real Italy for genuine and convenient shopping.

La Catena Hill quarter . This quarter is in close proximity to Serapo and adjacent to the small and ancient Fontania’s beach. It is really easy to reach especially from north (Rome’s side) due its nearness to the national road the SS 213 Via Flacca. This is an exclusive and residential-only area also developed between the 60s and the 80s and it presents mostly large, elegant villas in close proximity to one the most beautiful areas of Gaeta, ‘il Pozzo del Diavolo’.

It is an interesting area for diving activities. Some properties have private, direct access to the sea or the beach. This area is delight to the sight for its small hill with short rocky cliffs falling into the blue sea. The price range is higher than the average due the beauty of the landscape and the scarcity of property on the market.

Medieval quarter This area is Gaeta’s oldest historic area built on the first ancient urban nucleus which is as old as Rome. In the historical center there is the small ancient port where is possible to more or rent boats to take you along the coast in many small, hidden promontories for a special swim or diving activity close to cliffs with ancient sighting-towers used against Saracens. This part of the town is rich in history, heritage and character. The presence of monarchs in mediaeval time was the reason for the creation of many important buildings, giving a particular historical and artistic beauty to this oldest district.

One can enjoy walking and climbing among stairs in the narrow and picturesque old streets typical of the Italian mediaeval age; it is a real joy to discover all the lively streets among the mouth-watering aroma of fresh fried fish, ragu' (a special tomato sauce for pasta) and espresso coffee. It is not uncommon to notice antique Roman walls and columns on incisions of several centuries among the existing buildings. Most properties in this area of Gaeta are flats in typical old medieval buildings

or buildings built soon after the Second World War. One can find also some ‘palazzetti’ (small medieval buildings) in Via degli Aragonesi nested on the higher part of this area with wonderful view on the gulf, from that part of Gaeta which is behind Mount Orlando. The price is in the higher range.

Il Borgo This is another historic area of Gaeta traditionally used by the local population of fishermen, artisans and traders. Ancient religious statues of ‘Madonne’ are often find in many corners of these ancient alleys where antique religious events are still held today. This is the liveliest side of Gaeta with many small, nice shops in the picturesque Via Indipendenza. Via Indipendenza is particularly charming offering visitors are many little commercial and handcraft shops that make the area lively and full of character. This area, also named ‘il Borgo’, is based all around Via Indipendenza, a long and narrow street whose pavement is made with ancient eruptive stones. The area has a peculiar characteristic of displaying many little

alleys (vichi) that start from Via Indipendenza and lead to the sea by crossing Lungomare Caboto, the longest street of Gaeta. At the fishermen's dockyard one can buy fish directly from the fishing boats. A small fish market is also within the Borgo.Properties here are mostly flats and picturesque ‘palazzetti’ (small mediaeval buildings) often built on more levels and with ancient stones.Many properties have the traditional half-round barrel vaults typical of the old fishermen homes. The properties’ price here is within the mid-range in the suburban area of San Carlo with some older properties with higher prices around Via Indipendenza going towards medieval Gaeta.

Rural Gaeta This is a suburban area located behind the urban areas of the town and scattered all around the Aurunci hills surrounding Gaeta and the gulf with lovely view on the sea. There is a peaceful bucolic feeling inspired by the sunny hills with the typical Mediterranean wild plants and herbs all around.The area is very rural in character and not fully developed with many small, simple rustic villas with large, sunny gardens, olive groves, vineyards

but sometimes left uncultivated with some typical ‘Cammere’, old Mediterranean barns used long time ago’ by local farmers. Properties in rural Gaeta are often either old, traditional barns renovated or small villas with conspicuous allotments of land or large uncultivated gardens. There no more further building permission planned for in the near future and a small of the properties have been built or renovated without official approval with a council granted later with the payment of a nominal fee (see condono edilizio).