A mountain that has split
Gaeta's most iconic site is undoubtedly Montagna Spaccata - the Cleft Mountain. Legend has it that it split the moment Christ breathed his last. Three deep fissures have formed in the rock mass, between which is the Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity (Santuario della SS. Trinità), where pilgrims have been heading since the 11th century.
At one of the rock passages you will also see something extraordinary - a handprint in the rock. Legend has it that an infidel sailor left it there when he touched the wall and the stone softened. A powerful place with a magnificent view of the sea.
Montagna Spaccata is part of the Monte Orlando Natural Park, which forms a green spur above Gaeta and protects one of the most valuable ecosystems of the entire coast.entrance to the park is free and the entire massif is interspersed with hiking trails. There are benches, lookout points, information boards and shady pine trees.
City of towers, temples and fortresses
Gaeta has been a strategic point since ancient times - whether as a Roman port, a Byzantine defensive bastion or an Aragonese fortress. The massive Castello Angioino-Aragonese, which towers over the town, is proof of this, but the castle is only accessible on special occasions.
On the rocky hillside of Monte Orlando is the Church of San Francesco, founded by Saint Francis of Assisi himself during his visit to Gaeta in 1222. The Gothic building with its imposing staircase offers not only peace of mind but also a magnificent view of the bay.
Seven beaches
Gaeta boasts seven beaches, each with its own character. The most famous is Spiaggia di Serapo, a wide golden beach overlooking a rocky promontory and the watchtower of Torre Truglia. Lovers of tranquillity and romance will love Spiaggia dell'Ariana or the charming Spiaggia dei 300 Gradini, where you can descend a stone staircase hidden in the vegetation.
Swimming here is wonderful - clear water, quiet coves and the smell of pine trees. Gaeta's beaches are labelled Bandiera Blu (Blue Flag).
Taste of Gaeta: tiella and olives
Here you don't cook, here you tell with flavours. Tiella di Gaeta is a local speciality - a round savoury cake filled with octopus, vegetables or olives. The dough is crisp and thin, the flavour intense. Ideal for a picnic on the beach or as a quick lunch.
And what would a visit be without olives from Gaeta? Dark purple, slightly bitter, with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) - perfect just to go with wine or as part of a Mediterranean cuisine.
A papal retreat and a city of dogma
Few people know that Gaeta has also played a role in the modern history of the Church. In 1848, Pope Pius IX fled here when riots broke out in Rome. It was here, in exile, that he formulated the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. The city thus acquired the nickname "la città del dogma" - the city of dogma.
Why Gaeta?
Gaeta is not crowded. It's not overpriced. And not superficial. It's a city that invites you to slow down. To listen to the waves, to discover legends, to evenings full of lights over the sea.
