Benvenuti / Welcome to

Maranola

Next - Maranola (page 2)

Home | Contents | Tre Cancelle Farmhouse Apartments | Contact

Other Holiday Rentals in the Sperlonga / Itri Area | Properties For Sale in the Sperlonga / Itri Area

Maranola is a suburb of the municipality of Formia

and is situated at an altitude of 275 metres above sea level overlooking the splendid Gulf of Gaeta.

Back in time there were repeated Saracen invasions along the coastline, so the local people fled inland to higher ground and small fortified towns were formed at Maranola, Trivio and Castellonorato.

Maranola was first documented in 1029 and was described as a Castrum, a fortification with walls and towers.

The Medieval tower, which still stands today, was built by the Caetani family during the second half of the 1300’s, along with the nearby towers of Castellonorato and Castellone which guarded the area against invaders. The tower is 30 meters high and is located in the upper part of the town. There are three other towers but these are now covered in dense undergrowth.

Close to the tower is the Chiesa di San Luca Evangelista, who is the town’s patron saint. The church is decorated with frescoes and houses a statue of Saint Luke of circa 1700. The church has a bronze door, of 16 panels, which is called the “Gate of Peace”. It was created by a local sculptor, Gerardo De Meo, and was installed in 1989.