The Archaeological Area of Minturnae (Comprensorio Archeologico di Minturnae) is a remarkable yet relatively unknown archaeological site situated along the Appian Way. It is located in the town of Minturno in southern Lazio, approximately 160 kilometres south of Rome and 75 kilometres north of Naples.

Coordinates: 41° 14′ 31.7″ N, 13° 46′ 5.38″ E

Minturnae was originally an Auruncian city, although no archaeological traces of it have been found. It was one of the three towns of the Aurunci, which allied with the Samnites to wage war against Rome in 314 BC. After being defeated, the city suffered severe repression and was burned to the ground. The Romans then settled in the area, recognising its strategic and commercial importance due to its proximity to the sea. They built a castrum along the river Liris, and this military settlement evolved into a Roman colony in 296 BC. Minturnae became an important trading port in the Mediterranean and served as a fortified commercial centre along the Appian Way.

In the 1st century BC, Minturnae was a flourishing city with a Capitolium (temple dedicated to the triad of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva), a forum and a theatre. During the Imperial era, a new forum was built, surrounded by public buildings such as a Basilica, thermal baths, an amphitheatre and a macellum (market).

Today, significant Roman remains are scattered on both sides of the Appian Way.

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The Republican forum and the Roman theatre, built in the late Republican ear or at the beginning of the Empire, Minturnae, Minturno, Italy — The Republican forum and the Roman theatre were built in the Late Republican era or at the beginning of the Empire.

The Roman theatre, built in the late Republican era or at the beginning of the Empire, Minturnae, Minturno, Italy — The Roman theatre was built in the Late Republican era or at the beginning of the Empire.

The podium of the Temple of Augustus, built at the beginning of the Imperial age right alongside the Capitolium, Minturnae, Minturno, Italy — The podium of the Temple of Augustus was built at the beginning of the Imperial age, right alongside the Capitolium.

The ruins of the Capitolium (temple dedicated to the triad Jupiter, Juno and Minerva), an Etrusco-Italic type temple built ca. 191 BC, Minturnae, Minturno, Italy — The ruins of the Capitolium (temple dedicated to the triad Jupiter, Juno and Minerva), an Etrusco-Italic type temple built ca. 191 BC.

The reconstructed monumental colonnade along the Appian Way with the macellum behind, Minturnae, Minturno, Italy — The reconstructed monumental colonnade along the Appian Way with the macellum behind.

The macellum (market) and the tabernae dating to the Hadrianic period (117-138), Minturnae, Minturno, Italy — The macellum (market) and the tabernae dating to the Hadrianic period (117-138 AD).

Black & white mosaic in the caldarium of the thermae depicting cupids pressing grapes, Minturnae, Minturno, Italy — Black & white mosaic in the caldarium of the thermae depicting cupids pressing grapes.

The tepidarium, the warm bathroom of the baths complex heated by a hypocaust (underfloor heating system), Minturnae, Minturno, Italy — The tepidarium, the warm bathroom of the baths complex heated by a hypocaust (underfloor heating system).

The ruins of the Hadrianic Basilica of the Imperial forum, Minturnae, Minturno, Italy — The ruins of the Hadrianic Basilica of the Imperial Forum.

The latrines, located in the Imperial Forum.

Aqueduct near Minturnae, built between the end of the Republic and the beginning of the Empire, Minturno, Italy — The Aqueduct near Minturnae, built between the end of the Republic and the beginning of the Empire.

Epigraph dedicated to Hadrian as Augustus and Pater Patriae (Father of the Country), attributed to Hadrian in AD 128.
Antiquarium of Minturnae.

Links:

Wikipedia

May 4, 2016March 11, 2026 by followinghadrian Categories: ItalyTags: Appian Way, Italy, Lazio, Minturnae, Minturno, Roman Town, Via Appia 4 Comments

4 thoughts on “Minturnae”

Hello,
Nice photography. I lived in Gaeta (20 minutes north of Minturno) when I was a kid as my father was in the Navy. I had been looking for this amphitheater online for quite some time thinking it was closer to Naples. Our class did a Greek play here and I was the ‘Sun’. Stood on the ‘stage’ and said my lines to parents in the seats that seemed so far away I had to talk at the top of my lungs. That was a very memorable experience. Pompeii as well. We when in the winter and almost no one was there. It felt like the spirits of the people that had lived there were still there walking in the streets.

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Thanks for visiting us. Unlucky in Italy there are so many things that you’ll find many of those hiddens gems. Just 5Km south of Minturnae there is an ancient roman’s villa with a wonderfull mosaic called “San Limato”. And not to mention the other big roman’s teather of Sessa Aurunca just 10km away. And also lets talk about the under-sea city of Sinuessa 15km away? 🙂

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Loved readinng this thank you

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Together with my wife I visited these ruins several years ago whilst on holiday from Scotland and resided in Scauri Minturno. We were very impressed by how well the ruins had been preserved and found it a very interesting place to visit.. Thankyou to all who work to maintain this fascinating piece of history.

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