Rome and Latium [antikvár]

Rome, a city with a miilenial history, has inherited such a wealth fronri its long past that one can say there is no street, square or village which does not show traces of events and civilization fronn far off times: the resulting fascination makes this city one of the world's most important tourist attractions. The passing of the years, the anguish of events and the remains of a great past, together with the decision taken not more than a hundred years ago to choose it as Italy's capital city, have contributed towards creating a singular and unique atmosphere: an atmosphere enriched by the character of the Romans- disenchanted but open and understanding- which has made Rome very often not a 'once in a lifetime' destination for the tourist but a place to return to at least once more. Nor otherwise would it be possible to understand why artists, writers, musicians and men of culture in many differing pehods and from distant places have felt the desire to stay for periods of varying lenghts. Latium, too often little known with respect to its capital is a treasure trove of age old civilizations: roads, bridges, aqueducts, monuments, buildings, churches, towers, strongholds, sanctuaries, monasteries, abbeys, villas and necropolises have much to tell the tourist in search of emotion. The Latium region has, in these last years, with trouble and tenacity aimed at providing the tourist with increasing opportunities to stay in an area full of lakes, sea resorts, mountains and countryside of great beauty. This guide aims at taking the tourist by the hand and leading him to the discovery of these beauties. The introduction is followed by the chapters on archaeology and the abbeys, true jewels of architecture and the suggestions for a series of tourist itineraries studied especially to make a stay particulariy pleasant and instructive. With a little agility and the help of maps, the most important places are indicated in order to provide all that which should not be missed during a visit while the places in Latium, which are now all one with the city from a tourist point of view, are dealt with in rich and concise descriptions. To close this work there is a Useful Information chapter rich in information to make consultation easier and more profitable. Our hope is that the tourist who wishes to get to know a city rightly famous in the worid and a region which increasingly deserves to become so, may consult and use this guide drawing from it the conclusion that Rome and Latium deserve more than a 'once in a lifetime' visit. Paolo Arbarello REGIONAL ASSESSOR OF TOURISM FOR LATIUM