This central Italian city, founded in 1807 under Napoleonic rule, grew from marshy lands near the Tyrrhenian Sea. Now a major urban center south of Rome with 213,000 residents.
Latina sits 62 km south of Rome, built in 1932 with bold geometric architecture. Walk through streets lined with stark 1930s buildings like the M-shaped Palazzo M and climb the 32-meter Clock Tower. Take day trips to swim in the Mediterranean waters around Ponza Island, wander through rose-covered medieval ruins at the Gardens of Ninfa, or spot flamingos in the oak forests and coastal dunes of Circeo National Park.
Getting Around Latina's Center
An octagonal street plan radiates from Piazza del Popolo, making it simple to walk through the city center. In the main square, you'll find the Palazzo Comunale, which contains a Gallery of Modern Art dating from 1936. Climb the adjacent Clock Tower for views across the geometric grid of streets and the countryside beyond.
1930s Rationalist Architecture
The city center contains stark, geometric buildings from its 1932 founding. The Palazzo M dominates the skyline, its M-shape designed as a reference to Mussolini - a reminder of the era's architectural propaganda. In Piazza San Marco, the 1933 Cathedral rises with three tall arches resting on thick concrete pillars.
Parks and Gardens
At the Gardens of Ninfa, 14 km from the city center, roses and cherry trees grow through medieval stone walls across 105 hectares. You can visit between April and November. In Circeo National Park's 8,500 hectares, walk through oak forests and along coastal dunes, or watch herons and flamingos in the wetlands. The park includes several archaeological sites, including the Villa di Domiziano ruins.
Coastal Excursions
Ferries depart regularly for the Pontine Islands, reaching the archipelago in about two hours. You can stay overnight on Ponza or Ventotene islands, while Palmarola, Gavi, Zannone, and Santo Stefano remain wild and uninhabited. Visit the coastal town of Sperlonga, where limestone cliffs separate long sandy beaches from small rocky coves with clear water.
Local Agriculture and Industry
Farmers in the Pontine Plain grow vegetables, flowers, and fruit, while dairy farms produce local cheese and milk. The area's food processing plants include a beet-sugar refinery and fruit canneries. Latina's pharmaceutical and chemical industries make it an economic hub in the Lazio region.
