Terracina, Coastal commune in Province of Latina, Italy
Terracina is a coastal town in the Province of Latina that sits between the Volscian Hills and the Tyrrhenian Sea, featuring a natural harbor and long sandy beaches. The old town rises on a rocky promontory, while the modern part spreads along the flat shoreline with promenades and fishing boats.
The settlement began as a Volscian town called Anxur and became a Roman colony in 329 BC after the Romans conquered the region. The construction of Via Appia in 312 BC turned the place into an important stop on the main road between Rome and southern Italy.
The name Anxur originally referred to the fortress on the hill and was later used for the entire settlement, while the flat area by the sea was called Tērrăcīna. The architecture combines Roman ruins with medieval houses clinging to the slope and modern residential areas along the shore.
The town sits 56 kilometers (35 miles) southeast of Rome and can be reached by car via Via Appia or by regular train services. The old town on the hill requires walking up steep lanes, while the beachfront promenade is flat and easily accessible.
The Temple of Jupiter on the summit stands 227 meters (745 feet) above sea level and offers a view over the former Pontine Marshes, which were drained in the 20th century. The temple platform was built on massive vaults that still survive today and are considered a technical achievement of Roman engineering.
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