Located roughly halfway between Rome and Naples, Fondi is believed to have been settled since around 1000 BC. It was an important town on the Roman Via Appia, which connected Rome to southern Italy, and is today a bustling commercial hub for farmers growing agricultural produce on the surrounding plains.
Things to do in Fondi
Dominating Fondi’s city centre is the Castello Caetani, which was constructed in the 14th century on the foundations of ancient Roman walls. It features a square keep topped by a cylindrical tower and lies alongside the Palazzo Caetani Fondi’s local history museum. Learn about the legacy of the Caetani family and wander through the reconstructed rooms, some of which boast beautifully preserved frescoes.
A short stroll from the castle is the Cathedral of St. Peter, which houses the sepulchre of Cristoforo Caetani. Built in the 14th century above a Roman temple, it’s renowned for its Cosmatesque pulpit and religious treasures that include paintings by Antoniazzo Romano and Cristoforo Scacco.
On the northwestern outskirts of Fondi is the Abbey of San Magno, which is nestled at the base of Monte Arcano. Originally founded in 522 AD, it is associated with a local legend about St. Honore who is said to have prevented a huge boulder from destroying the monastic complex. Admire the 12th-century frescoes depicting the life of St. Benedict that decorate the abbey’s interior, then see the pressing of olive oil in the working mill.
Getting around Fondi
Fondi is around two hours’ drive from both Rome and Naples while Leonardo da Vinci International Airport is just under two hours away. Buses connect to Fondi from towns and cities across Italy while the centre of Fondi can easily be explored on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of accessing the surrounding sights.