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Villa Cantarano in Fondi: a garden hidden beside the ancient Roman walls
In Fondi there is a peaceful corner waiting to be discovered, nestled against the old Roman walls: Villa Cantarano. It is not a museum, it is the operational headquarters of the Monti Ausoni and Lago di Fondi Park, as well as an Environmental Education Centre. Its true attraction is the garden — a small green space open to all, where visitors can explore the city's history among archaeological finds and Mediterranean plants.
A Roman tower in the garden
The first thing that catches the eye is the "Corner Tower" — an original section of the square Roman perimeter wall. Strolling through the garden, you come across two further imposing stretches of the ancient walls, offering a unique opportunity to see them from a different perspective and appreciate their construction up close. The villa itself, standing on the remains of an older complex, was fully restored in 2007.
Love stories beneath the pepper tree
The garden is not just about archaeology. It is also a small showcase of plants typical of the Mediterranean scrubland. Then there is the great "pepper tree". The people of Fondi say that over the decades countless love stories began here beneath its branches. A little secret kept alive by the city.
Access to the garden is usually free during the Park offices' opening hours. Visitors are nonetheless advised to check for any changes in advance.
