Ancient Age
Archaeological Park of Minturnae and Royal Ferdinand Bridge
Minturno (LT)
The Roman colony of Minturnae arose in 296 BC on a site already known for its strategic location on the Garigliano River and its proximity to the sea. The present urban layout derives from the succession of renovations due to the enrichment of the colony, which became increasingly important both militarily and commercially, thanks in part to the presence of the Appian Way, the city's decumanus maximus.
North of the Appian Way lies the republican forum (2nd century B.C.), a rectangular area bordered on three sides by porticoes, inside which two temples were built: the Capitolium - dedicated to the three main deities: Jupiter, Juno and Minerva - and Temple A, of debated attribution and the theater. which today houses in its ambulatories an Antiquarium.
South of the Appian Way, opposite the republican forum, is the imperial forum (2nd century AD), large sections of whose pavement in large slabs are preserved. Wall structures and column bases identify the buildings of the curia and basilica, the fulcrum of city assembly life. Directly on the Appian Way is a colonnade that forms the entrance to the Macellum (2nd century AD), the market area. This consisted of tabernae that developed around a quadriporticus, enclosed on four sides and open in the center. Crossing the Macellum, in a southerly direction, is the bathhouse, with some structures attached in which mosaic decorations are still visible.
In July 2024, with the recognition as a world heritage site of the "Via Appia. Regina Viarum" the Park is a UNESCO site.
The Ponte Real Ferdinando, located over the Garigliano River that marks the border between Lazio and Campania, owes its name to Sovereign Ferdinand II of Bourbon, who had the work commissioned by his father Francis I to engineer Luigi Giura completed in 1828. Completed in 1832, it is the first example of an iron catenary suspension bridge in Italy and one of the first in Europe, a testament to the avant-garde industrial architecture of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
Shortly after its construction it was one of the sites of the clash between the Kingdom of Sardinia and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies on October 29, 1860.
In more recent times, the vicissitudes of the Real Ferdinando Bridge are intertwined with those of World War II: in fact, the suspended structure becomes a protagonist of the events related to the crossing of the so-called "Gustav Line" by the Allied army. On October 14, 1943, the Bridge, which until then had proven to be remarkably solid and reliable, was blown up by German bombers, leaving only its wall structure standing.
Info
Via Ferdinando II di Borbone, s.n.c. - 04026 Minturno (LT)
Archaeological area: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (winter), 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. (summer);
Antiquarium: 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Mondays and Tuesdays,
January 1, December 25
Full € 5.00
Reduced € 2.00 (18 to 25 years old).
Reductions and gratuities as per current regulations: MiC website.
Free admission:
first Sunday of the month, April 25, June 2, November 4
As of January 1, 2023, the ticket type "Cassino - Minturno Circuit" has been established, which includes admission to the National Archaeological Museum "G. Carettoni" and Archaeological Park of Casinum and the Archaeological Park of Minturnae at the full price of €8.00. The ticket is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
Cumulative Parks and Archaeological Museums in the province of Latina: Archaeological Park of the Villa of Tiberius and the National Archaeological Museum in Sperlonga, National Archaeological Museum in Formia, Archaeological Park of Minturnae and Ponte Real Ferdinando in Minturno; full price of €12.00; validity 365 days from first entry, one entry for each site.
Annual subscription €15.00 - available from March 2, 2026, only online, on the "Musei Italiani" platform and app.
As of December 16, 2023, e-ticketing service has been active on the "Italian Museums" app, available on the Play Store and App Store.
Phone: +39 0771 680093
e-mail: drm-laz.minturno@cultura.gov.it
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Visiting is allowed according to current regulations.
In case of visiting large groups, it is advisable to give adequate advance notice.
The Ponte Real Ferdinando bridge can only be visited during special openings.
2 hours/4 hours
Comfortable shoes, water.
Please note that: once any necessary checks have been done, the following activities are free, provided they are carried out on a non-profit basis, not even indirectly but for purposes of study, research, free expression of thought or creative expression and promotion of knowledge of the cultural heritage:
1) the reproduction of objects without any physical contact, nor their exposure to light sources, nor the use of stands or tripods;
2) the dissemination by any means of the cultural heritage images, legitimately acquired, so that they cannot be further reproduced by the user except, possibly, in low digital resolution.
As far as shooting with drones is concerned, a specific request must be submitted to DRM Lazio.
The entrance to the Archaeological Park of Minturnae is located on the right bank of the Garigliano River, near the Real Ferdinando Bridge.
Within the Minturnae Archaeological Park is a free, unattended parking lot capable of accommodating motorcycles, cars and buses.
The Archaeological Park of Minturnae is partially accessible to the disabled.
The Antiquarium of Minturnae (set up inside the substructures of the Roman Theater) is accessible to the disabled.
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