Lazio Hotels Map

Lazio guide The name of the region also survives in the tribal designation of the ancient population of Latins, from whom the Romans originated. In Roman mythology, the shadowy king Latinus allegedly gave his name to the region. Modern linguists postulate origins in a Proto-Indo-European language (PIE) root *stela- (to spread, extend), expressing the idea of "flat land" (in contrast to the local Sabine high country). But the name may originate from an earlier, non Indo-European one. Lazio is the region around Rome. With endless attractions, a unique cultural heritage and the incomparable charm of the Eternal City, this region can be visited at any time of the year. Lazio is a region waiting to be discovered: with a variety of extraordinary landscapes and environments, long beaches and vast pine groves, mountains and lakes, hills and plains. A region waiting to reveal its rich historical, artistic and cultural heritage in the most irresistible means possible. History and Culture The region which would become Latium was, in the centuries before the future Romans inhabited it, populated by several different peoples, some originally non-Indo-European. It was dominated by the Etruscans, both culturally and politically, but was a region with many local cultures, each city-state having its own, somewhat akin to Greece. Indeed, trade with Greeks and Phoenicians strongly influenced the Etrurian culture, which acquired its alphabet (later inherited by Rome), and some cultural traits, from those two sources. At the same time that the latest Indo-European tribes were moving into Greece, closely related tribes invaded many other regions, including what would someday be Italy. Among these were the peoples we now call the Latins, who settled in (what we now call) Latium. Initially, they were seen as weak newcomers, a sort of instant underclass, by most of the people of the native city-states. This subjected them to quite a bit of local imperialism and eventually they united against the Etruscans and Samnites, fighting a series of wars which ended in 338 BCE with their main city, Rome, dominating the region. After the Social War in 90 BCE, Rome granted citizenship to all the people of the region. Latium has great importance for history, art, architecture, archaeology, religion, and culture in general. The immense patrimony of the city of Rome forms only a part of the treasures spread over the hundreds of towns, villages, abbeys, churches, monuments, and other sites of the region. Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, the center of Christianity and capital of Italy. No further presentation necessary. Leaving the capital, every area of Lazio has its own distinguishing feature. To the north the province of Viterbo, called Tuscia, preserves the richest cultural and archaeological heritage in Italy. The region is scattered with Etruscan necropolises, medieval villages, castles and splendid Renaissance villas. Viterbo is the best preserved medieval city in Lazio, while the surrounding area is composed of picturesque countryside and wilderness. The Etruscan cities of Tarquinia, Cerveteri and Tuscania and their incredible necropolises are not to be missed. Among the villas, we recommend you visit Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola and the “Park of Monsters” in Bomarzo. East of Rome one finds unmissable Tivoli, the preferred thermal spring of the ancient Romans, where one finds the impressive ruins of Hadrian’s Villa and the Renaissance residence of Villa d’Este. The south-east of the capital extends over the fascinating region of Ciociaria: its wild landscape hosts beautiful medieval cities of pre-Roman origin, such as Anagni, Alatri and Ferentino famous for imposing walls, or one can take the charming religious itinerary among the ancient abbeys of Subiaco, Casamari, Montecassino and Fossanova. Another interesting tour around the mountains of Lazio will lead you to Rieti, a city full of medieval testimonies enclosed by its perfectly preserved great, long walls. =========> continue...