Interesting places around Rome. Neighborhoods of Rome: the most colorful places

Rome is vast, and just when it seems that you have now seen everything, something new opens up - I am convinced of this from trip to trip. However, you don’t have to obsessively study guidebooks/art books or comb street after street, secretly dreaming of a vacation somewhere on the islands, away from all this culture If you have time to explore Eternal City you have enough, you can diversify your trip with an outing around the outskirts of Rome.

In aggregate we can highlight

1. Trips “to nature” - the sea or lakes.

1.1. Sea

As I wrote above, it is interesting because of the ancient castle (entry to the castle in shorts is for some reason prohibited) of the Orsini family of the 14th century; the town itself is compact and very authentic. Lake views included.

2.2. Viterbo

Italian Avignon, seat of the Roman Popes. Before that - the Etruscan capital (there is an excellent Etruscan museum - near the Porte Fiorentina gate). San Pellegrino, a residential quarter of the 14th century, is perfectly preserved. In Piazza San Lorenzo, the 12th century cathedral and the Papal Palace with a loggia are noteworthy. Churches, monasteries, preserved residential towers and many authentic streets are scattered throughout the city.

Viterbo has 2 stations - Porta Romana and Porta Firentina, both across the road from the Old Town, just on opposite sides. If you are coming from Rome, your train will arrive at Porta Romana. The travel office is in the station building, a friendly lady will share maps, booklets and tell you about the city and its surroundings.

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Look except at Main square, where the gate of the papal residence opens, there is nothing special: the fountain by Bernini is not as good as the fountain of the Four Rivers, the church is the most ordinary, but every Sunday the Pope himself celebrates Mass there. You can wander the streets, admire the Vatican flags and flower-covered windows, and take spectacular pictures of the saucer lake and the papal guards, in front of which there are no tourists crowding around

From the station, up the path, past the villas, watching as the lake gradually opens up in all its glory.

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The picturesque Alban Hills were appreciated in antiquity - rich Romans built villas here, in the Middle Ages lords built their castles here, later rich families built many beautiful residences around Frascati, the best of which is considered to be Villa Aldobrandini, which is impossible not to notice - the majestic belvedere is visible from everywhere. Unfortunately, the villa is privately owned and it is unlikely that you will be able to visit it, but from behind the gate you can admire the park with statues, fountains and grottoes.

From the station up the stairs - you are in front of the villa. Old city located slightly to the left.

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The remains of the ancient metropolis-port are much closer than Pompeii and Herculaneum, and no less interesting - with mosaics, ancient high-rise buildings, temples, a theater, the Capitol and a necropolis. The ancient port fell into disrepair because coastline The sea receded, and no one needed the city. Thanks to this, he survived.

Located 2 stops before (see 1.1.1). From the station, straight ahead, across the bridge that goes over the highway, you can see a castle on the right (obviously built from antique bricks), you are right at the sign. The travel time from the station to the ticket office is about 5 minutes. A ticket costs 6.5 euros, a city map costs another 2 euros, but you don’t really need it: among the ruins and remains of insuls - the prototypes of our apartment buildings - there are a lot of stands with information. It’s impossible to get out of here in less than 3-4 hours - verified

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An ancient port near Rome, which fell into decay for the same reason as Pisa - the coastline moved away. It is worth looking at the citadel, one of the forts of which was designed by Michelangelo (the travel agency is located in the citadel), at the remains of the Roman port, and at the streets of the Old Town, where in the morning local grandmothers meticulously select provisions for lunch at the food market.

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The city, recaptured by Florence from Siena, rebuilt by the Medici and surrounded by a “signature” citadel wall with 6 bastions (dogs live in one of them). You can walk around the entire city along the wall, admiring the center and surrounding area. There is no travel agency in the city, but stands are generously scattered where all the objects are shown and named.

From the station, go right to the gates of the Old Town (there is an impressive building of the city post office), and from there it’s a stone’s throw to the cathedral and Palazzo Publico. The cathedral looks like a multi-colored marble box, and the Palazzo Publico is surprisingly similar to Siena.

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A medieval town built on Roman ruins, some of which can still be seen. 3 villas, each listed World Heritage UNESCO. The easiest way to get to Tivoli is by train from Termini or Tibertina stations, there are plenty of them. Attention! About 3-4 stops before Tivoli there is a station called “Bani Tivoli”, you don’t need to get off there, your station is stupidly Tivoli. From the station, follow the path down to the river, across the bridge, and you are already in the city center, at most 5-7 minutes on foot.

The second option is to take the blue Cotral bus, which leaves from the Ponte Mammolo metro station (Metro Linea B). According to an eyewitness: “I got to Ponte Mammolo, I don’t remember whether there were signs there or not, but I easily found the bus stop. Just in case, when boarding, I advise you to check with the driver where the bus is coming. The ticket must be validated on the bus. It took 30-40 minutes to get to Tivoli, mostly Italians, there were about 6 tourists on the bus. The bus made stops as required, no one announced anything. We reached the final point - this is a square in the center of Tivoli, where the tourist information office is located.”

2.8.1. Villa d'Este, entrance 6.5 euros, on days when there are exhibitions there, 9 euros. Located in the city center. The prototype of Versailles and Petrodvorets: gardens, cascades of fountains, terraces. Built in the 16th century by Cardinal Hippolyte d'Este on the site of a Benedictine monastery.

2.8.2. Villa Adriana, 6.5 euros. Located 5-6 km from the city, buses go there from the center of Tivoli (1 euro one way per person), where exactly the stops are, the travel agency will tell you (near the castle behind a series of tents, 10-18, closed Sunday). Lazio passes do not apply to this bus, it is some kind of local line.

Villa Adriana during the imperial period exceeded the size of the center of Rome. The owner was a passionate traveler and recreated the buildings he saw and loved in the villa.

2.8.3. Villa Gregoriana, entrance 4 euros. Grottoes, waterfalls, caves and mountain paths in the city center, above which rise a couple of ancient temples. Stock up on shoes that are comfortable for such walks.

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It is convenient to combine this and the next town with a visit to Castel Gandolfo - they are located on the same line and practically at neighboring stations. If you have time and energy left, you can take this train line to Ciampino ( small town ok, the main attraction of which is the cathedral), and from there change to the branch line from where trains go to Frascati. From Frascati return directly to Rome.

In Albano Laziale there are remains of a Roman amphitheater and Etruscan tombs, several interesting monasteries and churches.

First you need to decide whether it’s worth leaving Rome and going somewhere else. Why? Firstly, Rome has a great many attractions, which are also dispersed over a very wide area. Therefore, even a quick acquaintance with Rome will require at least two or three full days. Needless to say, you can spend a week, two, or a month here with interest. Secondly, hotels in Rome are quite expensive. (The question of where it is better to live in Rome is discussed in detail in the corresponding article; we will not dwell on this for long.) Therefore, traveling around the surrounding area while based in Rome can turn out to be expensive.

On the other hand, in the vicinity of the Italian capital you can find many interesting places that definitely deserve to be seen. And to visit at least some of them, it is most convenient to stay in Rome.

In short, before planning your travel itineraries from Rome, you should decide whether you are willing to pay a lot of money for a hotel that you only need to spend the night. If your budget allows you to stay directly in Rome and spend a few days traveling around the area, then you can safely move on to considering excursion destinations. This is what we will do next.

So, where you can go from Rome for one day.

The choice is extensive. Thanks to the high-speed rail system from Rome, regardless of distance, you can easily travel in one day to Naples (a little over an hour), Florence (about an hour and a half) and even Milan (about three hours). True, one day is not enough to get to know each of these cities, and tickets for high speed trains They're not cheap. So let's go from Rome for a day to Naples, Florence or Milan , as well as to Bologna, Perugia, Pisa, and especially Venice, is only worth it if you want to do everything at once, dreaming of seeing Italy in all its diversity, and, moreover, are not too strapped for money. In all other cases, it makes sense to focus on the immediate surroundings of Rome (primarily the Lazio region, but not only), which, in our opinion, are much more suitable for day trips than all the cities listed above. We will devote the rest of the article on travel routes from Rome to a review of these very immediate surroundings. At the same time, from the point of view of methods of transportation, we will rely mainly on the possibilities of public transport, primarily railway (hereinafter, see www.trenitalia.com). Although, of course, you can travel around Rome by car, which is often much more convenient.

small town Tivoli(Tivoli), located east of Rome, is known throughout the world thanks to its attractions, the main of which is the palace and park ensemble Villa d'Este. It could be called the Italian Versailles, if the situation were not exactly the opposite. Villa d'Este appeared no less than 100 years earlier than Versailles. ( Palace and park complexes, of course, they were built before, but from the point of view of arrangement of space, it is Villa d'Este that is considered the prototype of both Versailles and many other parks that arose subsequently. Cascades of fountains, multi-level terraces, ornamental pools, sculptural compositions etc. – it’s all here. However, to say that the same Versailles or Peterhof were blindly copied from the Villa d'Este would be an exaggeration.) It will be interesting to visit in Tivoli the park of the Gregorian Villa with its grottoes, waterfalls and caves. Finally, there is even more in Tivoli an ancient villa built in the 2nd century A.D. for Emperor Hadrian. In addition, it is worth mentioning the so-called Temple of the Sibylla, which arose even before our era. And this is still far from full list local attractions. In short, there is a lot to see in Tivoli. You can spend the whole day here.

Getting from Rome to Tivoli will not be difficult: the journey will take about an hour if you go by train. Moreover, you can go both from the Roma Termini station and from the Roma Tiburtina station. From railway station Tivoli is within walking distance of almost all attractions. The only exception is Villa Adriana, which is located some distance from the city center (you can get there from Tivoli by bus number 4; see www.catbustivoli.com).

Bracciano(Bracciano), located on the shores of the lake of the same name (Lago di Bracciano), is even smaller than Tivoli. There are many such towns in the vicinity of Rome. However, each of them is remarkable in some way. So, speaking of Bracciano, it is impossible not to mention the Odescalchi Castle (sometimes called the Orsini Castle, after the surname of the previous owners). It is impressive on its own, but in company with the lake it looks especially attractive. Despite the fact that the castle remains in the possession of the Odescalchi family, it can be visited by everyone (for details, see the website www.odescalchi.it). Even if you come to Bracciano for the castle alone, you can safely budget two to three hours for the trip. In the summer season, it is worth complementing your visit to the castle with a boat trip on Lake Bracciano (see www.consorziolagodibracciano.it). If you are by car, it makes sense to take a ride around the lake. It, like Bracciano itself, is small but picturesque.

If we talk about public transport, then getting to Bracciano is convenient by railway from Roma Tiburtina (about 1 hour 20 minutes) or Roma Ostiense (just under an hour) train stations.

Castel Gandolfo(Castel Gandolfo) Another interesting destination for a day trip. You can again get here by rail: about 40 minutes from Roma Termini station. This place is known as the papal summer residence, although the town itself is by no means bad. Castel Gandolfo is located on the slopes high hill, overlooking Lake Albano (Lago Albano). Beautiful. The papal residence was inaccessible to tourists for a long time. However, it is now open to the public (more details at www.museivaticani.va). You can easily spend half a day in Castel Gandolfo, or even the whole day if you want to go down to the lake and walk along its shore. If you wish, you can swim (there are beaches) or take a ride on a catamaran.

However, it is not at all necessary to limit yourself to visiting Castel Gandolfo. Literally 10 minutes by train (or about 30–40 minutes on foot) is the town Albano(Albano Laziale), and a little further - Ariccia(Ariccia), which is also worth a look after crossing the bridge over the deep gorge separating the two towns. If you have time, on the way back from Albano to Rome you can get off at the city station Marino(Marino Laziale), in order to spend a couple of hours walking along its quiet streets.

All these cities - Castel Gandolfo, Albano, Ariccia, Marino - are included in the list of so-called Romanesque castles(Castelli Romani), scattered along the slopes of the Alban Mountains. In addition to them, it is also worth mentioning Nemi, Genzano di Roma, Frascati and Grottaferrata. All of them are also worthy of attention, however, getting to them by public transport is not very convenient (with the exception of Frascati, which is only half an hour’s drive from Roma Termini). Therefore, if you are interested in Castelli Romani, then it is best to rent a car (see www.rentalcars.com, www.economybookings.com and similar sites) and travel between them. At the same time, it makes sense to stay not in Rome, but in one of these towns or somewhere nearby, say, in Ciampino, where, by the way, the well-known low-cost airline Ryanair flies.

In addition, we note that many of these towns (in particular, Frascati, Genzano, Marino) are known as ancient wine-making centers. Moreover, in Mariino, for example, the oldest wine festival in Italy (Sagra dell'Uva, see www.sagradelluvamarino.it) is held annually (in early October). Thus, in this area it is quite possible to organize an excellent wine and gastronomic tour (more about gastronomic tourism in Italy read).

Viterbo(Viterbo) again known as the papal residence, however, unlike Castel Gandolfo, it was not a summer residence, but the most main residence Dad. True, this was a long time ago - in the 13th century. It was then that the Papal Palace with a magnificent openwork loggia appeared in Viterbo. Of course, there are other attractions in Viterbo. The old town of Viterbo is surrounded by massive stone walls, within which the true medieval spirit of the place seems to be preserved, and of course, medieval architecture abounds.

You can get to Viterbo from Rome in about two hours from the Roma Ostiense and Roma Tiburtina train stations. Not fast, of course, but for Viterbo two hours is not a pity.

Theoretically, a trip to Viterbo can be supplemented with a visit to the surrounding area. It is worth paying attention in particular to such places as Montefiascone(Montefiascone) with its medieval historical center, surrounded, as usual, by a fortress wall, and a tiny town Civita di Bagnoregio(Civita di Bagnoregio), the sight of which takes your breath away, it looks so unreal (fantasy). You can get to both from Viterbo by bus (see route planner of the Cotral bus company): Montefiascone is about 25 minutes drive, Civita di Bagnoregio about 40 minutes to an hour (in this case you need to get to Bagnoregio and then walk) .

In practice, a lot will depend on the pace at which you are used to traveling. By and large, you can spend the whole day in Viterbo and not go anywhere else. However, if you are planning to travel by car, then you should not neglect the opportunity to see something else besides Viterbo. Perhaps the best solution for road travelers would be to stay for a few days in Viterbo (read more about where it’s best to live in Viterbo) or somewhere nearby (in Montefiascone, for example), in order to get to know this area more carefully and without haste. Near Lake Bolsena, Tuscania, Vignanello, Bomarzo, Caprarola, Lake Vico and other interesting places. Additional help can come from the numerous wine festivals held here in late July - early August. The most famous of them is in Montefiascone (Fiera del Vino, see www.fieradelvinomontefiascone.it). Information about other festivals, as well as about the surrounding area of Viterbo in general, can be found on the website www.tusciawelcome.it.

If you look at the map, it is easy to see that Orvieto(Orvieto) in relation to Rome it is located even further than Viterbo, and, in general, this is Umbria, not Lazio. However, you can get to Orvieto in just over an hour from Roma Tiburtina station (it takes 15 minutes longer from Roma Termini). And this is good, because Orvieto is worth a trip without a doubt. This city is located in most picturesque place, on a steep cliff (the city center is connected to the railway station by funicular) and looks no less fantastic than the above-mentioned town of Civita di Bagnoregio (which, by the way, can also be reached via Orvieto, the journey by bus takes no more than an hour - see. cotralspa.it). The main decoration of Orvieto is its majestic cathedral. But even if it weren’t there, you could wander the streets of Orvieto for hours. The city grabs you and doesn't let go. And the views of the surrounding area from here are magnificent.

Since we are talking about Umbria, it is worth mentioning at least two more located in this Italian region cities that are quite possible to visit within day excursion from Rome. These are Terni and Spoleto.

Specially travel from Rome to Terni(Terni), perhaps it’s not worth it, since from the point of view of a tourist this city does not particularly stand out from the general background, except for the fact that it is here that the same St. is believed to have been born. Valentin. The relics of the patron saint of all lovers are kept in the Basilica of San Valentino, which is about 3 km from Terni railway station (the station is about an hour's drive from Rome). Thus, you can go to Terni if you are interested in visiting the basilica, and since the road to it lies through historical Center city, you can devote some time to him too.

Spoleto(Spoleto), once the capital of the Duchy of Spoleto, is of much greater interest. Here it is worth paying attention to the cathedral, as well as the Rocca Albornoziana fortress and the tall aqueduct bridge Ponte delle Torri. In addition, in Spoleto there is a Roman theater and other antiquities (in particular Arco di Druso e Germanico), and a series of city escalators is also a kind of attraction, only this time modern. Finally, if you decide to go to Spoleto, don't forget to walk walking route Giro dei Condotti (it’s easy to navigate by following the signs). The views along the way are wonderful. You can get from Rome to Spoleto in about an hour and a half by rail.

If desired, Terni and Spoleto can be visited in one day, since they are on the same railway line. Alternatively, you can drop by for a few hours and visit the ancient town Narni , which is ten minutes (by train) from Terni (you can get from Rome to Narni in less than an hour). Terni, in general, is convenient to use as a base for trips around Umbria. However, this is a completely different topic (it is covered in a little more detail).

Finally, from the depths of the Apennine Peninsula we will be transported to the sea, to Tyrrhenian coast . In addition to the resorts, there are also many interesting places that you can visit while based in Rome.

Perhaps the most attractive destination on the Tyrrhenian coast for a half-day trip from Rome is Sperlonga(Sperlonga)– a snow-white seaside town on a cliff. Fantastic place! True, getting there public transport It's not very convenient to get to Sperlonga. One of the possible options is to travel by rail to Formia (Formia-Gaeta station, an hour and a half drive), and in Formia take a bus to Sperlonga (about another half hour). On the way you can also visit Gaeta.

Another interesting direction - Terracina(Terracina). A visit to this city can be combined with an excursion to the same Sperlonga. Traveling by rail from Rome is again not very convenient. Once upon a time there was a direct train to Terracina, but now you will first have to get to the Monte S. Biagio station (the journey takes about an hour) and there take a bus to Terracina (the ride takes about 15 minutes). However, there is a direct bus service between Rome and Terracina - see www.cotralspa.it. From Terracina to Sperlonga it takes about 20 minutes by bus.

Where is the most convenient way to get to Anzio(Anzio) And Nettuno(Nettuno)– a little over an hour by train, directly from Roma Termini station. These cities flow into each other and are good as resorts, and are not lacking in attractions (the ruins of Nero’s Villa and other villas in Anzio, the medieval historical center in Nettuno, etc.).

Get to even faster Ostia(Lido di Ostia)– half an hour by train Roma Lido (departs from Porta San Paolo train station, Piramide metro station, see www.atac.roma.it). How beach resort this place is not that attractive, but if you just want to stroll along the sea (or swim) without going far from Rome, then you can’t think of anything better. In addition, there is a wonderful archaeological park (station Ostia Antica ) is a great alternative to Pompeii. (You can also go to Pompeii from Rome, but why, if Ostia Antica is literally nearby?)

Let's put an end to this, although, of course, if you wish, you can find other interesting places in the vicinity of Rome. For example, ancient Etruscan cities. Traces of Etruscan civilization are found in many cities of central Italy, including those discussed above (for example, in Viterbo there is the National Etruscan Museum), but, generally speaking, this topic requires separate consideration. Another theme is the Apennines with their stunning nature, ancient towns and villages. And so on, so on, so on.

When choosing a hotel or apartment in Italy in general and in Rome in particular, use not only booking sites, but also price comparison services. We recommend Roomguru.ru.

You should do the same when searching for air tickets. Pay attention, for example, to Skyscanner.ru.

Rome is not only a collection of ancient ruins, baroque palaces, Renaissance staircases, fountains and statues. Parks, museums, galleries - the attractions of the Italian capital can be listed for a long time. But it may happen that you have studied the historical center of Rome, walked up and down. It is clear that walkers can wander the streets of Rome and look at the stucco on the houses endlessly. But this requires a lot of free time. In addition, crowds of tourists and the summer heat, coupled with the abundance of cars in the center, do not add to the pleasure.

Rome would not be Rome if there were not a mass of most interesting places. There is no need to travel around the entire Lazio region.

There are many interesting things to see in the suburbs and surrounding areas of Rome: traces ancient history, medieval castles, Renaissance villas. Lakes, parks, protected areas, and most importantly, beaches are at your service.

Getting to all this wealth from the city is quite easy. The main thing is to decide what you are drawn to and what interests you. This article will focus on some of the most interesting and important places for a visitor to Italy around Rome.

A villa is a country residence. During the times of Ancient Rome and the Renaissance, for the emperor, for a representative of a noble family, villas were built for living outside the capital, away from the noise and din. The villas were rebuilt and furnished according to the latest construction art, fashion and style of their time. Often, country residences were much more interestingly conceived, richer furnished and more skillfully decorated than the main residences in the capitals.

Tivoli

One of the legends claims that the city was founded in the 13th century BC, then it was called Tibur, was one of the most important cities of the Latin Union, competed with Rome, but eventually submitted to it.

The main attraction of the city is Adriana's Villa. Villa website: villa-adriana.net.

Other attractions of Tivoli:

Castle of Pope Pius II (XV century),
Villa d'Este with a stunning complex of fountains (XVI century),
Villa Gregoriana (19th century) with a park full of grottoes, waterfalls, cliffs and alleys.

There is also a temple of Vesta, preserved from the times of Republican Ancient Rome. And in the town itself there is something to see. The medieval center of Tivoli is perfectly preserved.

Frascati

This small town is located 21 km from Rome. The train leaves there from the station Termini almost every hour. The journey takes half an hour, the ticket costs 2,10 Euro.

Frascati was founded in the 9th century on the site of an ancient villa; by the 12th century, country residences of relatives of the Pope and important officials of the Holy See began to be built here.

The following villas have survived to this day:

Aldobrandini (aldobrandini.it);
Mondragone (villamondragone.it);
Falconieri;
Lancellotti;
Torlonia (museivillatorlonia.it).

2 km from the city you will find the ruins of ancient Tusculum: an amphitheater, a forum and the remains of a manor supposedly belonging to Cicero.

Bracciano

A city with a population of 50 thousand is located 50 km from Rome on the coast volcanic lake. Trains from Rome leave for Bracciano stations Roma Tiburtina And Roma Ostiense. From Roma Tiburtina the train takes about an hour and a half, the ticket costs 3.60 euros, from Roma Ostiense station you can reach Bracciano in an hour and fifteen minutes and 3 euros. Trains run every 30-40 minutes.

The main attractions of Bracciano are the lake and the castle of the same name

The lake is full pure water. You can ride a horse or bike along its banks. There are beaches with black volcanic sand.

The castle, officially called the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle, was built in the 14th century. Today there is a museum here: an armory hall, a hall of the Etruscans, a hall of sciences, a hall of the Caesars, etc. The rooms of the castle are full of antique furniture, statues, and the walls are painted with frescoes. From the castle tower there is a breathtaking view of the lake, mountains and valleys.

Castle opening hours:

— from 10:00 to 17:00 from Tuesday to Friday in winter and until 18:00 in summer,

— from 10:00 to 18:00 on Saturday and Sunday in winter and until 19:00 in summer.

The ticket costs 8.50 euros.

Viterbo

Viterbo is 100 km from Rome. You can get to Viterbo by train from the stations Termini And Ostiense. End station - Viterbo Porta Romana. The train journey takes two hours, the ticket costs 5 euros O.

The ancient Etruscan city became the papal residence from the 9th century. Duomo, Papal Palace, Pilgrim's Quarter, Big fountain- these are some of the attractions of Viterbo. The Museum of the Papal Fortress offers an exhibition with artifacts from Etruscan times and an exhibition dedicated to the architecture of the city.

Despite its ancient appearance, the city is not overcrowded with tourists; you can calmly stroll along its ancient streets. Near the city there are lakes and healing thermal springs. Because of them, the city of Viterbo is sometimes called the Papal Baths.

Beaches

Get to seashore from Rome as easy as shelling pears. And even on the beaches, a visitor to Italy cannot calm down from the proximity of antiquity and medieval antiquity.

Lido di Ostia

The town of Ostia can be considered a Roman suburb; it is located 25 km from the Eternal City. You can get here by public transport. Metro, line B (blue line), station Pyramide. On it you transfer to the train going in the direction Cristoforo Colombo. To travel, use tickets for public transport. Your stops Lido Centro, Stella Polare And Cristoforo Colombo.

There are many beaches, both paid and public, all of them are clean and equipped. Sandy beaches, bottom Tyrrhenian Sea flat.

Active in the city night life: bars, discos, night clubs. There are hotels where you can stay, you need to take care of this in advance.

At the train station Ostia Antica there are ruins of ancient buildings. They are comparable in state of preservation to the remains of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the only difference being that instead of volcanic ash ancient Ostia was covered with river silt and sea sand.

Fiumicino Airport is located not far from Ostia.

Fregene

From the station Termini to the station Maccarese-Fregene Every half hour there are trains to the Fregene beaches. The journey there takes half an hour, the ticket costs 2.60 euros. That's why there are crowds here on weekends. Sandy beaches clean and well maintained. From the station to the coast - half an hour on foot.

In summer, the Romans themselves relax on these beaches.

Santa Marinella

A small seaside town with a population of 16 thousand lies on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, an hour's drive from Rome by train. From the station Termini to the station S. Marinella Electric trains leave at half-hour intervals. It takes an hour to get to Santa Marinella, plus or minus 10 minutes, the ticket costs 4.60 euros.

The town is quiet and calm, which is what attracts tourists and the Romans themselves. The free parts of the beaches in the city center are often crowded. They are all well maintained and clean. The city has a castle and a museum. There are many cafes and restaurants serving seafood cuisine on the coast.

Anzio

A little over an hour from the station Termini And 3.60 euros for a ticket - and you are on the beaches of Anzio.

Ancient Antium is much older than Rome; the founder is considered to be Antaeus, the son of Odysseus and the sorceress Circe. Before joining the Roman lands, this city was a fortification of the Volscian tribe. During imperial times, luxurious villas of the Roman nobility were built here, and Caligula and Nero were born here.

Today there are 12 kilometers beautiful beaches. Both sailing enthusiasts and surfers will find something to do in Anzio. In between sunbathing sessions, you can visit the local military and archaeological museums.

Nettuno

Not far from Anzio is the town of Nettuno (Neptune). You could even say that one city smoothly flows into another: from Anzio you will walk to Nettuno and back. Buy a ticket to the station Nettuno.

The water here is very clean, as the locals proudly say, this is its normal state. The beach is extremely popular with Romans, so it is best to go here on weekdays.

Sabaudia

The beaches of Sabaudia lie 95 km from Rome and are part of the so-called Odysseus Coast. They have a Blue Flag, but they are not very crowded.

From Termini to the station Priverno-Fossanova you will arrive in an hour and 5 euros, from the station by bus Cotral 20-30 minutes. Another option: take the Rome metro on the blue line B to the station Laurentina, next to the station there is a bus parking. Are you looking for a bus with a sign? Roma - Sabaudia. Buses go several times a day, the ticket costs about 2-3 euros. The schedule should be found on the Cotral website. The journey takes 1 hour 40 minutes.

Sabaudia is a city built by order of Mussolini in just over 200 days. luxury resort. Near National Park Circeo with eucalyptus and pine trees, Lake Paola. This quiet and peaceful place is popular with Italian celebrities.

There are practically no discos or nightclub noise in the city; discos are available only on some beaches. Holidays in Sabaudia are not cheap. Entrance to the beach costs from 15 to 20 euros. There are free areas, you can rent a sun lounger or umbrella for 5 euros.

The most popular beaches in Sabaudia are Lido Azzuro Sabaudia, La Buffala Beach, Duna 31.5.

San Felice Circeo

Another city of the Riviera Odyssey. It is located not far from Sabaudia, so you need to get there using the same route. You can take the train to Priverno-Fossanova and then by bus Cotral with a sign San Felice Circeo(the train takes about an hour, the ticket costs 5 euros, bus - about 15 minutes, ticket - 1 euro). Possible by bus Cotral from the metro station Laurentina. Bus with a sign Rome - San Felice Circeo will reach the city in almost 3 hours and 5.30 euros. Check the flight schedule on the Cotral website.

San Felice Circeo is famous for its intimate atmosphere and comfort. There are both paid and free beaches. The latter are always crowded.

The city has a lot of cafes and restaurants. The city itself is interesting: it is divided into two parts. One lies on the mountain, the second - at its foot. They say that thousands of years ago the mountain was an island that Odysseus sailed past. This is where he met Circe.

Sandy beaches, flat bottom. Closer to the foot of the mountain, the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea await divers and snorkelers. Surfers will also find something to keep themselves busy.

Terracina

From the station Termini take a ticket to the station Monte S. Biaggio - Terracina Mare, it costs 6.90 euros. The train takes 1 hour 10 minutes. When you get off the train, look for buses with a sign in the parking lot near the station Terracina Mare. 1 euro for a ticket, and in 15-20 minutes you are in Terracina.

Terracina is a city older than Rome. People from Sparta lived here, then the Etruscans, then the Romans. This port was one of the most important on the Tyrrhenian coast. Interesting to see in the city Cathedral, the Appian Way that runs through the city, the ruins of the forum, the ancient Roman theater and the Temple of Jupiter. From Terracina it is easy to get not only to Rome, but also to Naples and Pompeii.

There are many hotels in the city - the resort business here is well developed. The hotels themselves own the beaches. But there are also a lot of well-equipped beaches that are not tied to hotels in Terracina. The beaches stretch for 15 km.

Sperlonga

From the station Termini need to get to the station Fondi-Sperlonga(the journey takes a little over an hour, trains run every half hour to an hour, ticket - 6.90 euros), then by bus to Sperlonga (buses take into account the train schedule from Rome, ticket 1-3 euros).

A small town with a population of 3 thousand people is a combination of natural beauty: caves and depressions - with typical Mediterranean architecture: white houses, arches, narrow streets, stairs and a sea of greenery.

Beaches are paid and free, sandy and pebble. In any case, these are the most beautiful beaches in Lazio. Golden sand, convenient descent into the water, beautiful landscape, clear azure water. Beach line - 6 km.

On this line, everyone will find a plot that meets their interests and requirements. Paid beaches will require a fee in 20-25 euros, For free, renting a sun lounger or umbrella will cost from 5 to 9 euros. All beaches are equipped with changing cabins, showers, toilets, and there are also a variety of cafes.

The city also has attractions: the Archaeological Museum and the Cave of Tiberius, a kilometer from the city.

Gaeta

The ancient fortress-port of Gaeta saw how Ancient Rome rose and fell. It is located 110 km from Rome and 70 km from Naples. From the station Termin i need to take the train to the station Formia - Gaeta(the journey is about an hour and a half, ticket 8.20 euro), from the station the Cotral bus will take you to Gaeta in 10-15 minutes.

There is also something to see in the city. According to legend, it was founded by the Trojan hero Aeneas, who buried his beloved nurse Caeta here. The ruins of the fortress and aqueducts of ancient times have survived to this day, a fortress that was built in the Middle Ages, a castle that combines the buildings of the Angevin dynasty (VI century) and Aragonese (XVI century). There are several ancient churches, including the Duomo. On Cape Monte Orlando there is a beautiful natural Park, where locals like to relax.

Beach holidays in Gaeta are recognized as the best. The beautiful marine nature attracts divers here.

Formia

The ancient town of Formia is located very close to Gaeta and is connected to Rome by railway (see the section on the city of Gaeta). These places were very favored by the kings of Naples. They say Homer visited here, and Goethe came here for inspiration.

The beaches are developed and equipped, the entire infrastructure is thought out to the smallest detail. You can comfortably lie under the sun, go diving, surfing, and water skiing.

Among the attractions, I will note the ancient quarter of Mola and the medieval district of Castellone, wandering through them, you will be transported centuries ago. In Formia there is the residence of the Neapolitan kings. It is worth visiting the Clock Tower and the Tower of St. Erasmus, and visiting the tomb of Cicero. A grandiose cast-iron statue of Christ rises above the city, guarding it.

Planning a holiday in Rome and its surroundings is both simple and difficult. Simply because there is plenty to choose from, but on the other hand you have to choose from a large number of options. I hope you can figure it out.

Thanks for reading. Good luck.

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Rome is vast, and just when it seems that you have now seen everything, something new opens up - I am convinced of this from trip to trip. However, you don't have to obsessively study guidebooks/art books or comb street after street, secretly dreaming of a holiday somewhere on the islands, away from all this culture? If you have enough time to explore the Eternal City, you can diversify your trip with an outing around the outskirts of Rome.

Enlarged, we can highlight

Trips to nature - sea or lakes

Sea

Lido di Ostia. By metro to Piramida metro station, without leaving the metro, follow the Lido sign to Porta San-Paolo station, from where every 15 minutes in the right direction Electric trains go to the sea. In about 30 minutes you find yourself in Lido di Ostia (Lido Centro station), where the resort coast(this and the next three stops) are all hotels and beaches. Directly from the station, entrance to the beach is paid. During the season the beach is full. People who are interested in architecture and painting have nothing to do there. Absolutely. See links below.

Civitavecchia, the port town where they leave cruise ships. From Termini on line FR5, from the station you can see the sea. See links below.

Lakes

Bracciano, where the 14th-century castle of the Orsini family, where Tom Cruise married, rises above the ancient town. The best castle chambers overlook a beautiful lake, which, however, requires a long descent. See links below.

Castel Gandolfo, papal residence, another opportunity to cross the Italian-Vatican border? The papal windows also overlook a beautiful saucer-lake in a basin of volcanic origin. See links below.

Bracciano

Viterbo

Castel Gandolfo

There is not much to see except the Main Square, where the gates of the papal residence open: the fountain by Bernini is not as good as the Fountain of the Four Rivers, the church is the most ordinary, but every Sunday the Pope himself celebrates Mass there. Can you wander the streets, admire the Vatican flags and flower-covered windows, and take spectacular pictures of the saucer lake and the papal guards, in front of whom there are no tourists crowding?

From the station, up the path, past the villas, watching as the lake gradually opens up in all its glory.

Frascati

From the station up the stairs - you are in front of the villa. The old town is located a little to the left.

Ostia Antica

The remains of the ancient metropolis-port are much closer than Pompeii and Herculaneum, and no less interesting - with mosaics, ancient high-rise buildings, temples, a theater, the Capitol and a necropolis. The ancient port fell into decay because the coastline of the sea receded, and no one needed the city. Thanks to this, he survived.

Located 2 stops from Lido di Ostia. From the station, straight ahead, across the bridge that goes over the highway, you can see a castle on the right (obviously built from antique bricks), you are right at the sign. The travel time from the station to the ticket office is about 5 minutes. A ticket costs 6.5 euros, a city map costs another 2 euros, but you don’t really need it: among the ruins and remains of insuls - the prototypes of our apartment buildings - there are a lot of stands with information. It’s impossible to get out of here in less than 3-4 hours – checked?

Civitavecchia

Grosseto

Tivoli

A medieval town built on Roman ruins, some of which can still be seen. 3 villas, each listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The easiest way to get to Tivoli is by train from Termini or Tibertina stations, there are plenty of them. Attention! About 3-4 stops before Tivoli there is a station called “Bani Tivoli”, you don’t need to get off there, your station is stupidly Tivoli. From the station, follow the path down to the river, across the bridge, and you are already in the city center, at most 5-7 minutes on foot.

The second option is to take the blue Cotral bus, which leaves from the Ponte Mammolo metro station (Metro Linea B). According to an eyewitness: “I got to Ponte Mammolo, I don’t remember whether there were signs there or not, but I found the bus stop easily. Just in case, when boarding, I advise you to check with the driver where the bus goes. The ticket must be validated on the bus. It took about 30 minutes to get to Tivoli "-40, mostly Italians, there were about 6 tourists on the bus. The bus made stops as required, no one announced anything. We reached the final point - this is a square in the center of Tivoli, where the tourist information office is located."

2.8.1. Villa d'Este, entrance 6.5 euros, on days when there are exhibitions there, 9 euros. Located in the city center. A prototype of Versailles and Petrodvorets: gardens, cascades of fountains, terraces. Built in the 16th century by Cardinal Hippolyte d'Este on the site Benedictine monastery.

Villa Adriana during the imperial period exceeded the size of the center of Rome. The owner was a passionate traveler and recreated the buildings he saw and loved in the villa.

Albano Laziale

It is convenient to combine this and the next town with a visit to Castel Gandolfo - they are located on the same line and practically at neighboring stations. If you have time and energy left, you can take this train line to Ciampino ( small town, whose main attraction is the cathedral), and from there change to the line from where trains go to Frascati. From Frascati return directly to Rome.

Albano Laziale has the remains of a Roman amphitheater and several interesting monasteries and churches.

Marino Laziale

A small town with a couple of interesting churches, several noteworthy palazzos and a lovely park next to the remains of an ancient gate. There is a fountain in front of the Duomo, which is filled with wine during wine festivals.

Natalia
07/08/2007 13:43

The opinions of tourists may not coincide with the opinions of the editors.

1 | Go to the sea“Every summer weekend we go to the seaside in Ostia,” says Lorenzo Ruggeri, journalist and blogger, with a smile. – From the center of Rome to the sea – about forty minutes by train. At Piramide station, without leaving the metro building, you need to go to Porta San Paolo, then get off at Lido Centro or at the terminus. The modern part of Ostia, however, is of no value. The main thing here is the beach. In the summer we come here to swim with a large group, and in the winter we come here to walk along the choppy sea.” 2 | Learn the history of the conclave“The origin of such an important institution for the Catholic Church as the conclave, the body that elects the Pope, is connected with Viterbo,” lawyer Mauro Porte adjusts his glasses. – This word comes from the Latin expression cum clave, that is, “under the key.” In 1268, the residents of the city simply locked the cardinals, who did not want to agree with each other, in one of the halls of the Papal Palace, so that they could finally decide on a candidate. Moreover, in order to achieve a solution to the issue, it was necessary to first put the cardinals on bread and water, and then completely dismantle part of the roof of the room where the meeting was held. After 1006 days, the pontiff was finally elected. However, there is already something to see in Viterbo. For example, the San Pellegrino quarter is one of the few examples of homogeneous buildings from the 12th–13th centuries. This is where those streets with ivy-covered houses and flower pots at the doors are located that you might have seen in travel magazines.” 3 | Feel like a hippie“This city was built on a mountain in the middle of a dense forest. At first I didn’t understand what was so special about Italy here,” says student Patricia Ravanelli. - And then I found out that Calcata - Italian capital hippie. In the 1930s, they wanted to resettle the city because they were afraid that the rock on which it was built would collapse. Fortunately, it never came to that. But in the 70s, representatives of bohemians, artists and writers came to the empty settlement, and not only from Italy. They managed to strengthen the base of the rock and revive the city. Now Kolkata, with its tiny art galleries, workshops, shops and tiny cafes, is somewhat reminiscent of Ubud in Balinese. That’s why I like it here so much.” 4 | Hear the roar of the waterfall“Most travelers tend to associate Tivoli with Villa Ippolito d’Este. The park, a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance and a UNESCO monument, really deserves attention, you can’t argue with that,” bus driver Marco Mastroberardino turns down the radio. – Firstly, Tivoli itself is a beautiful, cozy medieval town. Secondly, in addition to Villa d’Este, there is also the amazing Villa Gregoriana with tunnels in the rocks, and most importantly - big waterfall. This wild and almost deserted park is literally carved out of the rock. I love coming here with my wife in late autumn, when thick fog falls on the foliage of the spreading trees.” 5 | Drink a jug of Frascati“Unlike Rome, where the heat is unbearably hot in the summer, Frascati is fresh and cool at this time of year - all thanks to its special microclimate. I don’t understand why you even go to Rome in the summer? - Franco Agneloni, a trader in a wine shop, is indignant. – After all, in Frascati it’s no worse. Just look at Villa Mondragone and Villa Aldobrandini - works of Italian Baroque. But the main thing to do here is to drink frascati - the name given to light white wine in pot-bellied bottles. I warn you, you shouldn’t expect any frills, Frascati is a simple wine, but it goes perfectly with artichokes, risotto and fish dishes. If you are interested in how frascati is made, you can go to the production facility. For example, to the Fontana Candida winery. The main thing is to call in advance and arrange a visit.” 6 | Swim in the crater“Yes, indeed, on the site of Bracciano there used to be a volcanic crater,” guide Michele Sansovino points towards the lake. – This can be seen from its round shape. Now the city of Bracciano is quiet resort, where wealthy Romans come to sail in the summer. Water from the lake still supplies Rome through an aqueduct, so it can only be moved by sailing and rowing boats. So the water in Bracciano is very clean. The town itself is calm and quiet, and there is always a place on the beaches, even in high season. Lovers of romance should visit the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle, which has preserved the spirit of the Renaissance.” 7 | Walk among monsters“Bomarzo is known primarily for the Garden of Monsters, also known as sacred forest. This park complex was built by order of the condottiere Vicino Orsini in memory of his deceased wife, says guide Francesca d’Agata. – Entrance costs €10, there is a nice bar and restaurant on site. The park itself consists of eerie sculptures that embody mainly mythological subjects. Among them, for example, is the huge head of Proteus, an elephant devouring a man, dragons, sphinxes with female heads and other evil spirits. By the way, Salvador Dali loved the park, and Michelangelo Antonioni made a documentary about it, “Villa of the Monsters.” 8 | Eat strawberries“If you ask any fruit shop in Rome where their strawberries come from, the answer will always be the same – from Nemi. In our city, strawberries ripen all year round,” says farmer Enzo Viterbese. – Every first Sunday in June we celebrate Sagra delle Fragole. The whole city is decorated with flowers, music plays from the windows, but most importantly, you can try hundreds of strawberry dishes and drinks. And in normal times, Nemi is a paradise for lovers of this berry. You can buy it literally on every corner. The peculiarity of our strawberries is a barely noticeable sourness, and the shape of the berry resembles a heart. My advice is to check out Trattoria La Rosa at main street cities. In addition to strawberry desserts, they serve amazing seasonal dishes such as truffle gnocchi and porcini mushroom pasta.” 9 | Improve your health“In the center of Ciociaria (that’s the name of the part of the province of Frosinone), famous for the film “Ciociara”, for which, by the way, Sophia Loren received an Oscar, stands the majestic mountain range Ernichi, says the director health complex Professor Renato del Monaco. – At its foot is our town of Fiuggi. The main wealth of these places is the healing thermal springs, known since the Middle Ages. The main complex, the Baths of Boniface VIII (termedifiuggi.com), welcomes millions of tourists every year. At one time, Michelangelo, Pope Pius X, Giovanni Giolitti, Benedetto Croce, Maradona and many others came here to treat kidney stones and other diseases. And if the waters of Fiuggi don’t really interest you, then you can just walk in the fresh air, ride a bike and explore the neighboring towns.” 10 | Catch carp“Thanks to the crystal clear water, Lake Bolsena has received a second name – “a lake that you can drink,” says the head of the local administration, Fabiola Gallo, proudly. – This lake is one of the cleanest not only in Italy, but also in Europe. Here, of course, you can and even need to swim. A characteristic feature of the beaches of Bolsena is black volcanic sand. In the southern part of the lake there are two islands - Bisentina and Martana. I highly recommend setting aside a day to sail them. And if you want to see the most romantic view of the lake, then you need to go to Montefiascone. The town itself is beautiful, and the panoramas that open from there are simply amazing. By the way, many fishing enthusiasts come to this place, including from Russia. Every two years we hold a fish festival - thousands of lovers of this gambling activity literally fill the lake. The main interest among fishermen is carp, which is simply incredible in size. But there are pike, black bass, and other fish.” 11 | Ride a horse“The Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve is a magical place,” guide Stefano Maraessa strokes the horse. – This is a protected area crossed by the Paglia River and several tributaries. Most of it is covered with dense picturesque forests. You need to be careful: there are wild boars and deer in the forest, which are best viewed from afar. Who knows what they have in mind... The reserve's trails have varying degrees of difficulty - you can choose the one that suits you. The routes are equipped with signs and plaques with information about the length of the path, level of difficulty and duration. There are special resting places where you can rest and water your horses. It is better to book a guided route in advance. The hike can last several hours or the whole day, depending on your strength and experience.” 12 | Try Pecorino Romano“Pecorino Romano has ancient origins,” Renato Illotto, president of the Pecorino Romano consortium, breaks off a head of cheese with a special knife. – According to legend, this cheese was given as rations to Roman soldiers - all thanks to its long shelf life and high nutritional value. Today our cheese is one of the main Italian DOP cheeses made from whole sheep's milk. A distinctive feature of Pecorino Romano is its rich taste, which it owes to the quality of milk and a moderate dose of salt. Pecorino goes well with Frascati wine, which is produced in the Castelli Romani region. This combination is a kind of gastronomic symbol of the Lazio region. If you want to see how pecorino is made, there is a famous Brunelli cheese factory in the suburbs of Rome. It’s best to arrange a visit by phone; emails are answered very slowly in Italy...” 13 | Relax like an aristocrat“If you want to understand what a holiday in the style of the Roman aristocracy is, you have a direct road to the beaches of the Riviera di Ulisse,” says notary Andrea Mantovani. “They are located next to the city of Latina, built out of the blue by order of Mussolini. If I am not confusing anything from the history course, then near the city of Gaeta Aeneas buried his nurse, and somewhere between Mount Circeo and the island of Ponza, Odysseus lived with the sorceress Circe for several years. Throughout the history of the Riviera, money has been found here: first due to the proximity of the Appian Way, and in our time - due to visiting moneybags from Rome who love to bask in the sun.” 14 | Become a movie hero“Yes, now the Cinecittà film studio is no longer the same as in the 60s,” lighting designer Paolo Gruzovin smokes thoughtfully. – But I remember how Antonioni, Visconti, Vittorio de Sica and Fellini shot their films here. In the 80s, the film studio had a hard time: there was no money, the films were very mediocre. Ten years later, Martin Scorsese and Mel Gibson filmed films here. Now everything is starting to come to life: the cinema museum is open, and groups of tourists are allowed onto film sets. The route passes through three zones: the scenery of old New York, ancient Rome and medieval Assisi. I've been working here all my life, but every time I'm amazed at the grandeur of these scenery! Main symbol Cinecitta - Fellini and his beloved Pavilion No. 5. Now you can also visit it. Here the director made 23 films, five of which became Oscar-winning.” 15 | Get lost in the ruins“Imagine an entire Roman city, abandoned since Antiquity and excavated several centuries later,” guide Ivana Santangelo begins her story. – It is not as ancient as Pompeii, but the interesting thing is that ancient architects built it in the image and likeness of Rome. All this is Ostia - a city that defended the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea and served as a port at the mouth of the Tiber. Its history is closely connected with the history of Rome: visiting the excavations of Ancient Ostia is like traveling back in time. What else is needed to truly experience that great era?” 16 | Go surfing“I remember being told at school that the settlement of Civitavecchia was Etruscan a long time ago, and then it was conquered by the Romans,” surfer Francesco brushes wet hair from his forehead. – Now our city remains small, but very lively and cheerful. The waves here are not high, but quite long, which is actually rare for Italy. If you go towards Tarquinia, the water will be a little cleaner and the waves will be just as good. Don’t forget to take high-quality sunscreen with you, otherwise it won’t be a laughing matter later – you tan faster in water than on land.” 17 | Take your best photo"Civita di Bagnoregio is mine favorite place for shooting,” photographer Andrea Caputo wipes the lens. – The city is located on the top of a hill, and if not for a long 300-meter bridge, getting into it would be very difficult. Actually, here you can practice photography: taking a great shot from the bridge overlooking the city will not be difficult even for a beginner. But then there are so many memories! The city itself has not changed its appearance since the 16th century. Almost no one lives here, and tourists don’t come here so often yet, which, in principle, is only for the better.” 18 | See the filming location of “The Great Beauty”“When we filmed the performance scene in Aqueduct Park, I was, of course, immediately struck by the scale and grandeur of these ancient structures,” says Anita Kravos about the process of working on the Oscar-winning film “The Great Beauty.” “I was told that there are six aqueducts here and, what’s most interesting, many of them are still functioning. I would love to come to the park just for a walk on a day off, since it’s very close to the city, and admission is free. It is easy to get here via the red metro line, direction Ananina. You can get off at any of the stations: Subaugusta, Giulio Agricola or Lucio Sestio, and then follow the signs. Or by car – there’s enough parking for everyone.” 19 | Visit the ancient fort“Believe it or not, I first noticed the strange hexagonal lake when I looked out the window of the plane while landing at Fiumicino airport,” recalls archaeologist Paolo Donadoni. “I was very little then and did not know that this was a port built during the time of Emperor Trajan. There were shipyards, storage facilities, and other port facilities of truly Roman scale. This port has been preserved almost better than all other similar structures. Now it is an archaeological park with many rare plants. An ideal place for walks and original photographs! The port has an excellent website where all the necessary information is collected, where you can also book an excursion with a qualified guide. Perhaps it will be me..." 20 | Take a walk around the Pope's dacha“Castel Gandolfo is the summer residence of the Pope,” says a Swiss guard guarding the entrance to one of the papal institutions with an important look. – Until recently, tourists were not allowed into it, but the new owner, Pope Benedict XVI, ordered the residence to be opened for local residents and tourists. Seeing dad is not so easy - even in retirement he is a busy man. But it’s worth coming here if only to just stroll around this quiet and lovely city. And what trattorias and wine shops there are here! In general, I enjoy working in Castel Gandolfo, perhaps even more than at the Vatican gates.”