Terracina

What is certain, even by observing how the city appears today, is that the Romans significantly determined the entire social, economic, and urban structure of the city, which is still very much present.

The first work that gave fame to the city was the construction of the Via Appia, which connected Rome with Capua and constituted a fundamental military and commercial axis towards the rich southern regions of the peninsula. Thanks to the Appia, which allowed rapid connections with Rome, and the presence of a port, Terracina's importance grew exponentially: the city, which became a notable agricultural center for the intensive exploitation of the fertile valley, began to expand in the lower part contiguous to the sea.

The original settlement was therefore destined to become a monumental area characterized by wealth and noble residences. In a short time, it became necessary to expand not only the city but also the port, and numerous works were constructed in opus incertum, including squares, theaters, and sanctuaries.

Many of these works can still be admired today: one of them is the grandiose Temple of Jupiter Anxur. This glorious temple is located at the foot of Monte Sant'Angelo, also known as Monte Giove, and was built in 312 BC. It was first expanded in the 2nd century BC and then completely restructured. There are indeed references to a "monumental reconstruction" with a wall enclosure and a military camp during the Sullan era (1st century BC).

The deity to whom the temple is dedicated is not yet certain. The first construction, dating back to the 4th century BC, was thought to be dedicated to the goddess Feronia, goddess of fertility in Roman mythology, celebrated by the sick and slaves who managed to free themselves. However, the discovery of a second temple near Punta Leano cast doubt on this hypothesis. According to legend, the temple would be sacred to Iuppiter Anxur (Child Jupiter), the protective deity of the city and probably the object of urban worship. But this hypothesis was refuted following the discovery of inscriptions dedicated to the goddess Venus. It is probable that the temple was dedicated to Venus only after the great reconstruction of the 1st century BC.

Equally well-preserved is the city center from the Roman era, the ancient Emilian Forum, which is now the site of the Cathedral of San Cesareo and the Municipal Building. The ancient Roman forum was crossed along its northern side by the Via Appia, of which the paving and sidewalk have been restored. The square still preserves the ancient limestone slab pavement (late 1st century BC), which bears the bronze letter inscription "Aulus Aemilius", the magistrate who ordered its construction, after whom the forum is named.

For the ancient Romans, the Forum had a central role as a place where business was conducted and where the most important religious and political buildings were located. During the Second World War, the Emilian Forum was subjected to devastating bombings which, however, allowed the discovery of important archaeological evidence, including part of the Roman Theater, the Capitolium, the Quadrifronte Arch, and the forum section of the Appian Way.

Terracina has also been in the spotlight in recent months following the discovery of the statue of Diana the Huntress and a thermal establishment.

These two Roman wonders have resurfaced after over 2000 years, following some excavation work near a fuel station on the main street.

Terracina, in addition to being a spectacular seaside location whose sea has always fascinated tourists from all over the world, is also an important historical city, and this certainly helps to increase the interest of all those people who each year decide to move here or buy a property to spend their vacations.

It has been and continues to be one of the leading cities in the rising parabola of the luxury real estate market. The two-year period 2015-2016 was very positive for Real Estate in Italy, with a clear recovery of the segment in recent years.

Engel & Völkers Sabaudia-Circeo puts its know-how at your disposal to guide you in purchasing villas, penthouses, and luxury apartments in Terracina, offering expertise and professionalism, qualities necessary to help you achieve your every objective, whether residential or investment-related.