Itineraries on the eastern Aurunci Mountains

Leaving Itri and driving south the SS82 joins the SS7 the Appian Way, wich leaves Gaeta out of its route and reaches the seaport of Formia from where travelers can easily reach the medieval hill villages of Maranola , Trivio and Castellonorato with their picturesque churches, alleys, stairs, arches and panoramic viewpoint overlooking the sea of Gaeta’s bay. These small southern Italian villages on the Aurunci offer not the privilege to enjoy beautiful Mediterranean sceneries

but also the opportunity to gain a first-hand in-depth knowledge of local heritage, history, geography, legends, culture, wildlife and the way people live now. From here there are many paths that take travelers to some of the most beautiful parts of the Aurunci, where the mountains are higher and wilder.

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The path of Christ the Redeemer’s statue leads from Maranola to the summit of Mt Altino or Mt Redentore as the locals call it. This peak is dominated by the figure of a large statue representing the figure of Christ the Redeemer, a twenty century’s memorial. The view from this peak focuses on the sea and the Gulf of Gaeta and the scenery is breathtaking. Just below Mount Redentore’s summit there is a small, ancient, lovely sanctuary excavated in the mountain rock and dedicated to the Archangel Michael.

The sanctuary is destination of several religious processions along the year. This itinerary is quite long but not difficult and proper to flexible, energetic people who have a healthy dose of curiosity and enthusiasm about the world, and who enjoy being active. The most important ingredients to enjoy are a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude!

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By driving along the SS630 towards Cassino, the itinerary leads to Spigno, where domestic articles and artifacts of wood and wicker are still produced by local traditional craftsmen. Many families still produce and bake delicious home-made bread flavored with local cheeses and locally produced olive oil and olives. Spigno is an excellent starting point for excursions leading to some of the most beautiful higher peaks of the Aurunci. Some of the routes might involve not more than a

pleasant walk while others require a more challenging and demanding trekking that combines together interesting archeological itineraries with the natural beauty of this south Mediterranean countryside. Several paths depart from the village of Spigno’s main square, Piazza S. Stefano and some of them lead to the ‘Torretta’, an ancient Roman ruin. Turning right a passing “Campo Praetorio” site there is an old route in direction east-north-east direction. By following this route it is possible to reach the hill Colle di Teto, where have been found traces of prehistoric human presence. Here the landscape is bucolic, with a quiet countryside of rolling hills, cultivated fields alternate with patches of Mediterranean woodland with oak brooms, myrtle and Pistacia lentiscus.

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Continuing along a country lane, one comes to “Case Cantare” a location from where, following Via Forca, travelers enter the foothill area of Selvacava, right at the feet of the spectacular sheer slopes of Mt Fammera. Further up on the hills comes “Conca” where there is one of the many natural cold water springs framed by a old mill. The undergrowth here is highly perfumed by aromatic plants such as rue, thyme, sage and asphodel.

Continuing westwards, travelers can see the ruins of an ancient rural castle named “Casalis Spinei” just before a climbing pathway leading to the mountains in the middle of the Aurunci range. This is a old sheep track named “della Ciaia”. After few bends with charming bucolic landscapes one arrives to the castle and the medieval village of Old Spigno.

A walk after dinner reveals a late summer sunset, with hillsides in the glow of twilight and fields of barley giving the image of rolling hills towards the sea. From here there a path that reaches the highest summits of the mountains of this area. Along the way between peaks, valleys and the sea, only a little more than few miles away, there is a old fountain with perennial fresh spring water. The peace offered by these sceneries in the nature of the Aurunci Mountains is a true delight and the countryside that unfolds in front of travelers is beyond description and must truly be seen in person to fully understand it all in and appreciate its imposing beauty.

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