Minturnae, Archaeological park in Minturno, Italy

Minturnae is an archaeological park at kilometre 156 of the Via Appia in Minturno, on the right bank of the Garigliano near its mouth. Its Roman theatre, built around the 1st century AD, is divided into scaena, orchestra and cavea and held over 4,000 spectators; the museum beneath the cavea displays headless statues, inscriptions and coins dredged from the river.

Minturnae was founded as a Roman colony around 296 BCE along the Appian Way, near the mouth of the Garigliano River, and grew into a trading hub connecting Rome with the south. The city declined during the medieval period and was eventually abandoned, which helped preserve much of its ancient structure.

The on-site museum holds objects found during excavations, from everyday pottery to carved stone pieces. These finds show how the city was connected to other parts of the Roman world and how ordinary life was organized here.

The site is large and takes time to walk through properly, so it is a good idea to arrive early in the day, especially in summer. Wear sturdy shoes, as the ground is uneven in many areas and some paths pass between open excavation zones.

The Ponte Real Ferdinando, next to the park, was designed by engineer Luigi Giura and opened in 1832 under King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies; it was the first suspension bridge in Italy built with iron chain stays. The Minturno War Cemetery beside the site holds 2,049 soldiers of the British Empire who died in the Second World War.