Gaeta, Italy - a walk around the city
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- Gaeta is a town between Naples and Rome, formerly a strong point situated on the slopes of the Torre di Orlando, a peninsula overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Its location means that it has been inhabited since ancient times. The name Gaeta (Caieta) is mentioned in Virgil's Aeneid where Caieta was Aeneas' wet-nurse, whom he buried here. Even in Roman times, it would appear that Gaeta was a tourist resort where many of the wealthy of the capital would have villas. It was connected to Rome via the Via Appia which I use in my journey towards Rome - nearly 2,000 years later!
In the Byzantine and later medieval period it traded with the eastern Mediterranean. It became part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and owing to its important strategic position, was often attacked. The magnificent castle we can see in this film dates from this period and as can be seen is still in use today!
There have been many battles and sieges but the one to which I refer to in the film is the siege of 1860 when it was the scene of the last stand of Francis II of the Two Sicilies against the forces of nationalist Italy. The king offered a stubborn defense, shut up in the fortress with 12,000 men and inspired by the heroic example of Queen Maria Sophie after Garibaldi's occupation of Naples. It was not until 13 February 1861 that Francis II was forced to capitulate when the withdrawal of the French fleet made bombardment from the sea possible, thus sealing the annexation of the Kingdom of Naples to the Kingdom of Italy. Cialdini, the Piedmontese general, received the victory title of Duke of Gaeta.
In April 1938 Gaeta was the scene of an extraterritorial vote of German and Austrian clerics, studying at the German college of Santa Maria dell'Anima, on the question of the German annexation of Austria ("Anschluss"). The place of the vote was the German heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer, which anchored in the harbour of Gaeta. In contrary to the overall German result, these clerical votes rejected the Anschluss with over 90%, an incident which was coined as "Shame of Gaeta" (Vergogna di Gaeta, Schande von Gaeta) at the time.
After the king dismissed Mussolini in the summer of 1943, the latter was initially taken via Gaeta to the island prison of Ponza. After Italy surrendered to the Allies, however, the town's fortunes began to decline. Recognizing its strategic importance, and fearful of an Allied landing in the area, German troops occupied the city and expelled most of the population. The zone of exclusion began with a five-kilometre border from the historical city centre. Soon after, however, the population was expelled even beyond this point. The Gaetani were finally ordered to leave the area completely. Those who would not leave voluntarily were detained, some were taken to Germany and possibly ended up in concentration camps.
Following the Allied advance across the Garigliano and the Allied occupation of Rome, the Gaetani were allowed to return to their city and begin the process of rebuilding. In subsequent decades the city has boomed as a beach resort, and it has seen some success at marketing its agricultural products, primarily its tomatoes and olives. Many of its families count seamen among their number. However, the decades since World War II have been as difficult for Gaeta as they have been for most of Italy's Mezzogiorno. In particular, its importance as a passenger seaport has nearly vanished: ferries to Ponza and elsewhere now leave from the nearby town of Formia. All attempts to build a permanent industry as a source of employment and economic well-being for the town have failed. Notable losses include the Littorina rail line (now used as a parking lot and a marketplace), the AGIP refinery (nowadays a simple depot), and the once-thriving glass factory, which has become an unused industrial relic.
Gaeta does have a viable tourism industry, as it is a popular seaside resort. Its warm, rain-free summers attract people to its numerous beaches along the coastline, such as Serapo and Sant'Agostino Beaches. Nearly equidistant to both Naples and Rome, Gaeta is a popular destination for people from both cities' metropolitan areas.
In this film I have an evening walk around the city, unprepared as always but making a few observations on the history of the town and in particular on the siege of 1860 - 1861 which saw the end of the KIngdom of Two Sicilies. The question I pose at the beginning of the walk remains one for which I am seeking an answer. How was it possible for Garibaldi with a few men to overthrow one of the oldest countries in Europe?
Gaeta is a very Beautiful port. I came to know this beautiful place in 1969, I had enlisted in the navy and was ordered to the USS Little Rock CLG-4 which was then Homeported there. I spent 2 years there. I will never forget my time in Gaeta. I have a very special friend in Gaeta named Paola. I always tell her how fortunate she is to be in a very special place.
The strange thing is so few people have heard of thei place - even in Italy!
My spouse was on the USS Belknap, I worked at FSC, mid-80's, lived in villa on Via Maresca overlooking Serapo. 4 Kids baptized at St. Francis of Assisi, 2 graduated from Naples American HS. Youngest son joined Navy mid-90's and first duty station was Gaeta. Wonderful life for entire family. Made life long friends continue contact to this day. All of us have returned at least one time for a visit. Need another visit.
My husband was a signal man on the uss Little Rock in Gaeta in 1967 to 1971, my husband & I had an apartment in Gaeta, lovely place to live, have many fond memories of that time.
I was there when I worked for the Military Sealift Command aboard the Uss Mt. Whitney. Loved every minute of visiting there. I hiked everywhere and explored the city.
Thank you, Alan.....well done!! I'm an artist in S. Dartmouth, MA, USA but spent winter of '67 on board USS Little Rock as part of helo crew. Walked many hours on same streets, and beach on opposite side of town. Took train to Napoli, and made a number of wonderful Italian friends, in addition to ex-pat artists from around Europe. Was a bit of 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' minus all the darkness. My early art/cultural education began here....
Thanks Roger - that is great to read. I was there again in December 2014, I think the restaurant we went to there was the best in all our tour!
thanks for the memories. I used to go there twice a month to do sanitation inspections for the Navy.
RM3 HIGHTOWER WAS ONBAORD USS ANTRIM, THERE FOR UPKEEP IN 82 FOR A FEW WEEKS WITH THE USS PUGET SOUND HAD A GREAT TIMEGREAT PEOPLE AND ALSO HAD PLENTY BEERS , THAT AT VICKS BAR...WONDERFUL COUNTRY GREAT TIMES....
I loved living there when I was younger beautiful place
Italy is the most beautiful country in the world
Lived in Gaeta 3 years while on the USS Puget Sound from 1980-83. Dated several Italian girls there. Had an Italian girlfriend that I almost married there.Great place, love Serapo beach.
Clearly great memories for you Bob!!
I was there again the following year!
I was on the same ship at the same time Bob! First Navy Ship to receive women as crew members forward deployed. I was in the Dive Locker with QMCM Draper. You must have gone to Beirut with us :)
I was on the Puget Sound same time, in fact rode it over from the shipyard to relieve the USS Albany,, great times, great girls, almost married a local, 2 beautiful sisters Marina and Maria,,,
This bring back a lot memories. I was also onboard the exact same time period! Engineering Division, Interior Communication shop.
I loved living there while stationed onboard the USS LaSalle 2001-2004 US NAVY
Allen My wife and i stayed in Gaeta about 90 days after you made this video, it is unfortunate that you did not have a sunnier day to enjoy the city.
Sou descende dessa cidade, minha familia veio para o Brasil.
Pause the vid at 3:24. A source online says "One of the oldest buildings in Gaeta is the former Church of Santa Lucia, founded in the 7th century. It was once a chapel used by royalty". That cylindrical thing on the roof may be a mausoleum. There are apparently at least 2 of these rooftop mausoleums in Gaeta.
A wounderful place lived there 18 yrs ago ehen my dad was stationed in latina ..i would love to take my kids there they would love it too.and the thing is hasn't changed either lol
Carla Howard hey where did you go to school in latina? From my knowledge either you took a train to the international school in rome or you attended italian public school in latina, there arent many americans nowadays here
Another interesting video.
At least it was not raining as it was on my tour of Saint Petersburg!
Hi My Granfather is from Calabria but this full name in Brasil is Gaetano. I think his granfather maybe is from Gaeta? My GranMother is form Genova from Basile Family. thank you for the vídeo!!!
Thanks for watching Rosa - and for writing about your family. Unfortunately I cannot say where the name comes from!
Thank you. happiness and success in your life.
Que. Es. Muy. Bonito todo. Italia
where is the location at 2:35?
I can't remember now - it was nine years ago!
USS Puget Sound AD-38 82-84 the gut was the best.
susan ari was there 80-83 in Mdiv and then R2 hydraulic shop
visit ladolcegaeta
Lol Alan is that you crying 8:12 ?