Nemi

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club

One of the most pleasant places in the Roman Castles is undoubtedly Nemi, a town of strawberries and Roman ships from 2000 years ago, perched on a spur overlooking the lake of the same name.

In the historical centre, the castle stands out, the symbol of the town with its original cylindrical tower and the baronial palace, inhabited by the Briaschi and Ruspoli families. The Historical Archaeological Museum of Roman Ships is dedicated to the ships. Unfortunately, almost nothing remains of the two original ships that belonged to Caligula and were recovered from the waters of the lake between 1929 and 1931. However, the place is also worth a visit for the architecturally interesting building alone, with a panoramic terrace where you can enjoy the view of the lake. Around the settlement, archaeological excavations have uncovered a complex of valuable buildings (a villa with decorated rooms, a terrace on the lake, baths and access roads) from the late Republican period, which may have been the residence of Caesar.

Nemi is known for its strawberries, the protagonists of a dedicated festival on the first Sunday in June, during which women wear traditional costumes and celebrations culminate with fireworks over the lake. The fruit is really used in all sorts of ways, from the more traditional ones (try the Fragolino) to the more unusual ones, such as using it to flavour local cured meats.