An Ancient Crossroads
Set on the old road south of Rome, Cisterna has been inhabited since prehistoric times and flourished under the Roman Empire, when it was an important waystation on the Appian Way. For centuries it stood at the edge of the malarial Pontine Marshes, which were finally drained in the 1930s — a project that transformed the whole area into productive farmland.
War and Rebirth
The town paid a heavy price in the Second World War: it lay close to the Anzio beachhead and was almost entirely destroyed in the fighting of 1944. Rebuilt with remarkable speed in the years that followed, Cisterna reinvented itself, and from the 1970s grew rapidly into the busy agricultural and industrial centre it is today.
What to See
Despite its wartime losses, the town preserves some real gems. The church of Santa Maria Assunta, rebuilt after the war, keeps its original character, while the 16th-century Palazzo Caetani is the highlight — a noble palace famous for the network of mysterious underground tunnels and caves beneath it, best explored with a guide. The surrounding countryside, dotted with farms and vineyards, is classic rural Lazio.
FAQ
Is Cisterna di Latina worth visiting?
It is a low-key, off-the-beaten-track stop rather than a major sight, best combined with exploring the wider Lazio region south of Rome.
How do you get there?
Cisterna sits on the Rome–Naples railway line and is an easy day trip from Rome by train or car.
What is the nearest airport?
Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is the closest major airport, roughly an hour away.
