Castelforte
Castelforte: An Overview
Castelforte is a small Italian municipality located in the southern region of the province of Latina, in the heart of Lazio. With a population of 4051 inhabitants, Castelforte was originally a fortress built to protect the surrounding area from enemy invasions.
Its historic center is situated on a hill overlooking the Garigliano River valley, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the entire area. Castelforte is also home to the hamlet of Suio, known for its famous thermal baths.
Physical Geography
Territory
Located on the outskirts of the Aurunci Mountains, Castelforte is a municipality that develops between the hills and the valley of the Garigliano River. The territory is characterized by the presence of ancient Roman and pre-Roman ruins, including the remains of ''Terme Vescinae'', dating back to the 3rd century.
Climate
The climate of Castelforte is classified as zone C, indicative of a temperate sub-Mediterranean climate with temperatures ranging from 7°C to 18°C in winter and 22°C to 30°C in summer.
Origins of the Name
The name Castelforte comes from the Latin "Castrum forte", which means "strong castle". The name refers to the strategic position of the city as a lookout point over the Garigliano Valley.
History
Castelforte was probably built on the ruins of the ancient city of Vescia, which was part of the Aurunca Pentapolis and was destroyed by the Romans in 340 B.C.
The strategic position of the city was very important, especially for the control of the properties of the Montecassino monastery. Castelforte and the hamlet of Suio were located in such a way as to constitute an excellent lookout and guard point over the Garigliano River, an important river route of communication between Montecassino and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The most common hypothesis is that the first settlements were built around 881-915 A.D. in response to the Saracen fortified camp that stood on the right bank of the Garigliano River nearby. In 915, there was a battle between the troops of Pope John X and the Saracen troops, which led to the defeat of the latter and the reconquest of the territory.
Conclusions
Castelforte is a very interesting municipality, rich in history and testimonies of the past. Its enchanting position makes it an ideal tourist attraction for those who want to discover the beauty of Lazio and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Garigliano Valley.
