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 .
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.
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.
