Castrocielo - Aquino

The first stage goes from Castrocielo to Aquino. From the Municipality of Castrocielo, one descends along a straight road that runs alongside the cemetery and reaches the ancient Via Latina. In front of the cemetery, there is a large parking area. It is worth stopping here to view the work of Rambaldi, located at the edge of the parking lot in memory of what happened in the area during World War II.

The work is called "Vela" and contains several elements well connected to each other. One part features images and texts related to the War. In the center, there is a bicycle with a broken rear wheel (the consequences of the War) and a healthy front wheel (the hopes for the future). This same work is present in many of the municipalities in the area affected by World War II during the famous Battles of Montecassino, which pitted the German defensive line (GUSTAV) against the advance of the Allies heading to Rome to liberate it from Nazi-Fascist oppression.

Continuing the walk and turning left, one travels along the Via Latina, which the Romans built on a previous route used by the Samnites, to move quickly towards the southern part of the peninsula towards Capua.

Heading towards Aquino, one runs alongside the archaeological area of Aquinum, where it is inevitable to stop and be guided through the ruins that archaeologists continue to excavate. Here you can visit the extensive area of the central baths, an impressive complex spread over an area of more than 6000 square meters of "Pompeian" type built around the 1st century BC. Here you can explore the Roman latrines, the places where they played sports and rested, the villas of the wealthiest residents, and the amphitheater where they entertained themselves, a vast reality that reportedly hosted 40,000 people. This place could warrant a few days' visit due to the many things to see: the Square Tower (dating between the late 4th and 2nd centuries BC), the Main Temple or Capitolium, the Temple of Diana (2nd century BC), the Theatre, and the Amphitheater (1st century AD).

After the visit, one continues on, passing through Porta Capuana (also known as San Lorenzo Gate) and following the paved Roman stones of the ancient Via Latina, arriving at the Museo di Aquino, a municipal museum that houses important artifacts from the area's history, several of which were collected in the archaeological area.

Here you can visit the three main sections: Prehistory and Protohistory, Pre-Roman and Roman Era, and Medieval Era. You must not miss seeing the sarcophagus of the chariots (2nd century AD).

You cross the little bridge in front of the Museum, and you find yourself in front of the Church of Santa Maria della Libera, very beautiful and imposing. You enter by climbing a wide staircase. The church dates back to around the 11th century and is in Romanesque style. Inside, there are beautiful ancient arches. On the left side, while looking at the facade of the church, there is a little gate that leads to a small garden from which you arrive in front of the Roman arch of Marcantonio.

Your first stage has ended. You have felt the emotion of stepping on the stone slabs that the Romans used for their roads, you have entered the most intimate places of their daily life, you have admired the grandeur of their places of leisure, and now you can rest in the square of the town of Aquino, tasting the typical dishes that the restaurant in the square is ready to offer you.

Get ready for the second stage. You will enter the Middle Ages and be in the company of Saint Thomas.

A stop in Aquino

The city of Aquino is a cultural heritage that encompasses all historical epochs. The Romanesque aspect can be widely enjoyed through a visit to the municipal museum, the church, and the arch of Marcantonio accessed through the little garden next to the church. It also contains the medieval dimension and the history of Saint Thomas, who has the house where he lived, now functioning as a museum of the Saint. Every year, a celebration of the Saint takes place among the narrow streets of the historic center and in the valley at the foot of the city. The citizens wear the costume of the medieval period and show tourists the workshops as they could have been at the time. Music and dances, processions, and guard posts in costume bring those moments of the era back to life. The story of Saint Thomas is recited in costume by local citizens.

In the co-cathedral basilica of Saints Costanzo Bishop and Thomas Aquinas, a relic of Saint Thomas (the rib of the heart) is preserved. As you know, the remains of the Saint are kept in the Dominican church known as Les Jacobins in Toulouse, while the relic of the right hand is located in Salerno, in the church of San Domenico, and the skull in the co-cathedral of Priverno.

The city of Aquino can also be explored regarding the events of the Second World War that it experienced. It is worth noting that it has an area managed by the military aviation, and the small airport was heavily targeted during the battles of Montecassino.

The Via Francigena runs right through the historic center, passing in front of the Cemetery, alongside the military airport, and reaches the train station. Passing under the overpass, one arrives at the Aquino-Piedimonte station, and from there one exits into the square in front, ready for a new stage.