Sperlonga, ancient fishermen’s traditions and blue sea

The old town of the city is perched on Mount S. Magno, among steep white stone stairs, whitewashed buildings, and glimpses of the blue sea below, while the two lakes, Lake San Puoto and Lake Lungo, known as the eyes of Sperlonga, complete the picturesque picture of the city which, not surprisingly, has been voted among the seven most beautiful villages in Italy. 
The territory where the ancient city of Anxur stood, founded by the Spartans, was discovered by the Romans who built residences and villas there, including that of Emperor Tiberius, whose remains can still be seen near the Angolo beach. The residence extended for 300 meters and included a thermal facility and a pool reserved for fish farming. The interior of the cave was decorated with mosaics inspired by the exploits of Ulysses.
Near the villa today is the Blue Oasis, a protected area managed by the W.W.F. – World Wide Fund for Nature, used for excursions and educational stays.
The beauty of the place and its proximity to the sea exposed Sperlonga to several invasions: the city was destroyed in 1534 by the Saracens and in 1622 by the Turks, as recalled by the colorful murals that can be admired on the walls of some houses.
A system of watchtowers was built for defensive purposes in the 1500s. Of the original structure, Torre Centrale, Torre Truglia (which currently houses the Marine Environment Education Center of the Regional Natural Park “Riviera d’Ulisse”), Torre del Nibbio, and Torre di Capovento survive, the latter located 3 km south of the town.
Sperlonga remained a fishing village until 1957, when the opening of the coastal road between Terracina and Gaeta opened the city to tourist development and made it one of the most appreciated tourist destinations in Lazio.
The Sperlonga coastline, characterized by crystal-clear sea and long golden beaches, has been awarded the European Blue Flag for nine consecutive years.
The ancient fishermen’s traditions are reflected in today’s gastronomic culture: sardine soup, Sperlonga-style fish soup, bean soup, and marinated fish are some of the delicious local dishes.
For some time now, in the month of June, Sperlonga has hosted the cultural event “Flavors of the Sea,” a food and wine festival aimed at enhancing the fishing sector and typical regional productions, now in its sixth year.