Latera
Italy · Europe
About Latera
Latera is a small town in Italy, in the province of Viterbo, Lazio. With an elevation of 508 m (1,667 ft) (660 m in the highest point), and an area of 22.66 km² (9 sq mi), Latera had a population of about 800 inhabitants in 2019. It's the last town before entering Tuscany.
Latera travel guide
Understand
Latera is first of all a little medieval town. Its current heritage is a combination of medieval history and rural traditions. Latera has a population formed most of all by senior citizens. This situation, and emigration of local younger people to the big cities such as Rome, Milan and Viterbo, reflects the high decrease of population since 1950s. Latera can be a good destination both for high and low periods. It can be pleasant a short visit of half day to discover the little medieval town, but also a journey of some weeks if you're looking for relaxation, nature and points of interest. Situated in fact in a strategical position, Latera is almost near to lakes (Lake Bolsena and Lake Mezzano), mountains (Amiata), sea (Montalto di Castro and Mount Argentario), UNESCO sites (Val d'Orcia and Pienza), historical and archeological sites (Vulci, Castro, Sovana, Pitigliano, Bolsena and many others).
Getting there
You can reach Latera only by car. The nearest airport is in Rome and there isn't a rail network connected to the area (the closest are Orte and Viterbo (40-50 km far). The only main road that passes in Latera's territory is SS Castrense, a narrow and slow road which runs from Montalto di Castro to SS2 Cassia at Lake Bolsena.
Getting around
It's very easy to visit Latera by foot: the historical centre is almost small and can be walked in about 1 hour. The only disvantage is that Latera is built on some hills, so you'll have to climb up at least one time. Taking a bike would be pleasant to visit the town and also its surrounding and very nice rural landscapes: the only trouble it's the same, climbing up. Avoid car if you're not experienced, you'll risk to remain fit in with your car in very narrow streets with huge medieval walls.
See
There are a lot of interesting buildings in Latera. The main is the big structure composed by the church, the belltower and the castle. They are united in a nice complex of medieval origin, situated at the top of the main hill where the town has been built, dominating the ancient walls and the old surrounding houses. The San Clemente church, dating back about 1598, replaced an older medieval church and has been restored several times. If open, it's a worth a visit inside. The small square outside forms a semicircular shape with medieval houses and an arch of entrance. Outside the arch there's a little but tall bridge. The belltower, with a nice clock on its northern side, dominates the whole old town and it's a landmark of Latera. On the back of the church there are the remains of the old castle of Farnese dynasty: unfortunately the interior is in ruin but it's anyway interesting outside. Another arc connects Farnese Palace to Latera's Comune (town hall): you won't notice it if you don't look at it carefully, because it's only a small door: the main things of town hall are inside, because the ceilings and the roofs are original of centuries ago. The interior of town hall is composed by offices so it's not opened to public to visit them, but you can even ask to watch them to some officers (maybe you won't be satisfied by them, but an attempt it's not a trouble). Outside the western side of Farnese Palace there's a little but very nice square, Piazza della Rocca ("Rock's Square"), a rectangular shaped place with some trees: restored and re-paved, it's a very pleasant place for the stunning views that offers. Piazza della Rocca has been historically built over the top of Latera's walls, and the little stone at the edge wall faces a 20-m-tall slide, overlooking great part of the old town with its characteristic roofs and, in clear days, the valley and the far Valentano town. Walking down the medieval walls is a good experience, as you'll be able to visit great part of
Do
Latera is surrounded by a lot of woods and fields. Excursions in the territory is a good and pleasant experience, both for trekking and bike. Local people enjoy sometimes bike excursions to Lake Mezzano, in Valentano's territory but very close to Latera border (the lake is closer to Latera town than to Valentano). Beware of hunters in hunting days! Or consider to hunt if you're a hunter. Latera's greatest public park, I Castagneti ("Chestnut groves"), is located on the top of the town: it's a part of a chestnut wood transformed in a recreational area. In Castagneti you'll find tennis, basketball, volleyball and futsal fields. The park is almost crowded by younger population of Latera in summer days. In the evening they are open but almost empty because they are not lightened. The other public park is in Latera's entrance. In autumn, if weather permits it, Latera is a very good place for mushroom fanatics. Consider that to look for mushrooms you'll need a permission granted by the authority and to use particular chests and behaviours: if Guardia forestale (a public police authority for the protection of the wild and woods in Italy) officers meet you without these requirements, they'll impound your mushrooms and sanction you with a huge fine. Lake Bolsena, not in Latera's territory but very close to the town, is easily reachable by car, bike and, eventually, even by foot: car is the better option. Lake Bolsena's waters are pleasant for a bath, but be careful of streams and stones. The nearest beaches to Latera are San Magno in Gradoli's commune, and the long Bisenzio strip in Valentano's one. Latera has a good soccer/football field. Their team play in lower Italian categories.
Drink & nightlife
It's a worth trying local wine, most of all if someone will offer you its own from a fresh and old cellar. In the region of Latera there are some famous wines, such as Est Est Est! produced in Montefiascone and Aleatico, in the bordering town of Gradoli. The Tuscan towns of Scansano and Montalcino, famous for their Morellino and Brunello, are not far from Latera and you'll be able to appreciate their wines in restaurants. Latera was once a town rich of spring water. A lot of sources were sold in 1970s by local administration. Now you can find some water fountains, but they have been marked as not drinkable. Don't worry if local people invite you to drink that water, they'll say "I've grown up drinking this water, is fresh and good and I've never felt bad". The water is in fact tasty and fresh, but drink it at your risk: you could be the first one to feel bad.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.