Velletri

Velletri is a city in the Lazio region of Italy.

Understand


Velletri is a sizeable town with over 50,000 inhabitants. It is part of the province of Rome and lies just southeast of the Castelli Romani or Alban Hills. In Roman times it was a popular place for the rich of Rome to build their country villas. In the late Middle Ages it was one of the few independent cities in central Italy. During this time it is claimed that Velletri saw the establishment of the world's first pawn shop.

After the Allied landing at Anzio in early 1944 Velletri was a major battleground in May of that year as the Allies pushed north towards Rome. It was much damaged by the war and most of its important monuments were not rebuilt. Thus the city does not, in itself, offer many sightseeing attractions. However, it is an attractive base for exploring the surrounding region and could even be an inexpensive base for visiting Rome if you are not interested in the capital's nightlife.

Get in
The city is about 75 minutes drive from the center of Rome and around 45 minutes from Ciampino airport. There are good, and much quicker, rail connections from Rome's Termini station. Many people live in Velletri and commute daily to Rome for work.

Drink

 * Wines from Velletri. Wines produced by the local cooperative are good value. Look out in particular for the Terre dei Volsci Riserva , which is sold in a strange-shaped bottle. This is jokingly known as the Andreotti, after the hunch-backed former prime minister of Italy, Giulio Andreotti.

Go next
Southeast of Velletri is the coastal fishing town and port of Anzio, with many reminders of the Second World War landings. To the south is another major battle site of the same war, Monte Cassino. Notable towns of the Castelli Romani are Frascati, famous for its wine, and Castel Gandolfo, summer home of the Pope.