In the extreme south of Latium, charmingly situated on a rocky promontory in the gulf of the same name, the port of Gaeta (10m/33ft; pop. 25,000), was until 1861 the principal strong point of the kingdom of Naples and Sicily. The cathedral of Sant'Erasmo has a campanile in Sicilian Romanesque style (1279). Inside, behind the high altar, is a banner presented by Pope Pius V to Don John of Austria, the victor of Lepanto and opposite the principal doorway an Easter candlestick with Late Romanesque reliefs (c. 1200), is borne on four lions. A short distance west of the Piazza stands the large church of San Francesco.
The church of the Santissima Annun- ziata to the north was originally built in 1320 (Baroque facade); to the south is the Citadel, with the Angevine Tower. On the highest point of the promontory (171m/564ft) rises the Mausoleo di Lucio Munazio Planco, the imposing tomb of Lucius Munatius Plancus (d. after 22 B.C.), who worked successively for Caesar, Antony and Augustus. At the southwest tip of the promontory (2km/1.25mi; extensive views) is the Montagna Spaccata, with a cleft in the rock which according to tradition was caused by the earthquake at the death of Christ. From the new pilgrimage church steps lead down to the beautiful Grotta del Turco (admission fee), on the sea. On the west side of the promontory is an excellent bathing beach, the Spiaggia di Serapo. In the surroundings of Gaeta are many places with remains of Roman Villas. About 20km/12mi south of Gaeta is the resort of Baia Domizia.
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Gaeta
