Other interesting places in the Circeo National Park

The Circeo acropolis megalithic walls :

Imagine a very ancient population, full of lost knowledge, who built a solid, majestic construction on these land. On Mt Circeo there is an ancient acropolis of the ancient Italic population, the Circei tribe. Not much has yet been unveiled about the mysterious acropolis.

The ruins of a fortified citadel stands 300 metres high like a sentinel, virtually inexpugnable, of the entire surrounding Pontina plains. The acropolis enjoys a major strategic location controlling both sea and land. It is enclosed by a boundary of circular walls, from where travellers can enjoy a complete landscape around the ancient city and the Circeo Mountain.

Around the Acropolis, and on the whole mountain of the Circeo, there are three circles of walls defined “Cyclopean”, which have become a mysterious symbol recalling the ancient legends of the these lands. The first boundary wall is smallest and surrounds the Circeo acropolis in its central nucleus; one side of the acropolis is located on a plateau of the Circeo mountain and, on one side, it faces high cliffs that separates it from the old historical town of St. Felice.

The second boundary wall is a little larger and longer and it is located in a lower level, right in the foundations of the current town of Circeo. These other walls are high about 6 meters and were built with the intention of contrasting the attacks coming from outsiders. The third boundary wall, is by far the widest as it encircles the whole base of Mt Circeo.

When travelers pass through the Acropolis, they can see how the city of Circei was in a very advantageous position: there was no chance that an enemy could get close taking the citadel by surprise. The position on the Peak of Circe (means Circe’s Peak), the name of the top of the mountain, allowed the sentinels to have the view ranging over the whole territory : from Rome to Naples, from the sea to the marshy plain, up to the Lepini, Ausoni and Aurunci mountains and all along the coast to Sperlonga , Gaeta and the Pontine Islands.

The cave of Circe the sorceress, Ulysses’ lover:

Mt Circeo promontory is also the location of a well-known natural cave said to be the home of Circe, the sorceress who seduced the hero Ulysses after she had turned his seamen crew members into hogs. It was near the cave that according to the mythology that the god Mercury came with a gift for Ulysses from one of the gods. It was a magical flower that would protect Ulysses from Circe's magic spells. So when Ulysses met with Circe she tried to use her magic on him, but it didn't work. At this point Circe’s love for Ulysses prevailed and she gave in and turning the seamen back into humans and warning Ulysses of the dangers to come. With lots of food, Ulysses and his men left the Circeo.