Formia

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Comune di Formia
Municipal coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Lazio
Province	Latina (LT)
Mayor	Sandro Bartolomeo (since May 2003)
Elevation	19 m
Area	73 km²
Population
- Total (as of December 31, 2004)	36,688
- Density	520/km²
Time zone	CET, UTC+1
Coordinates	41°16′N 13°37′E
Gentilic	Formiani
Dialing code	0771
Postal code	04023
Frazioni	Marànola, Trivio, Castellonorato, Penitro
Patron	St. Erasmus and St. John
- Day	June 2 and June 24
Website: www.comune.formia.lt.it

Formia is a city in the province of Latina, on the Mediterranean coast of Lazio (Italy). It is located halfway between Rome and Naples, and lies on the Roman-era Appian Way.

[edit] History

Formia was founded by ancient Romans. Cicero was assassinated on the Appian Way outside the town, and his tomb remains a minor tourist destination. The city was also the seat of St. Erasmus's martyrdom, by being disemboweled around 303 AD, during the persecutions of Diocletian.

[edit] Main sights

The main avenue is via Vitruvio, 10-12 blocks packed with small boutiques and gelaterias (ice-cream parlors). There are a few nice beaches next to Formia. Terracina, Gaeta, and Sperlonga are three towns next to Formia that have nice beaches.

Formia itself is not really a beach town, but more of a transportation hub. The Rome-Naples rail line passes through Formia, and visitors and residents travel by bus to Gaeta, Minturno, Spigno and other local towns. Ferries carry tourists to Ponza, Ischia and other destinations that require travel by sea.