Formia is a small town and a port from which ferries and boats depart for the Pontine Islands. There are nice sandy beaches and many interesting monuments from the Roman period.
In ancient times, the Via Appia, one of the most important trade routes on the Apennine Peninsula, began in Formia. The city was then an important trade and craft center. Many monuments from that period have survived to this day. The most important of them are the Roman cistern, one of the largest in the world and comparable to the cistern in Istanbul, the ruins of the aqueduct and the Mamurra villa.
The greatest attraction of Formia is the Tomb of Cicero. One of the most famous Roman writers and politicians was murdered in the attack on the Via Appia. Traditionally, a mausoleum from the 1st century BC, located on the outskirts of Formia, is identified with the place of his burial.
The city center is a charming mix of old and new buildings. There are remains of the old city walls with several towers and gates, historic churches, the oldest of which is the Church of St. John the Baptist and Wawrzyniec comes from the 9th century. Among the old buildings there are also newer houses, and many of them have restaurants and bars. Many such places are located at the port, which is the base for the Pontine Islands.
