Anzio | ||
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Comune | ||
Città di Anzio | ||
View of Anzio
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Location of Anzio in Italy | ||
Coordinates: 41°26′52.61″N 12°37′44.59″E / 41.4479472°N 12.6290528°E | ||
Country | Italy | |
Region | Lazio | |
Province / Metropolitan city | Rome | |
Frazioni | Anzio Colonia, Cincinnato, Falasche, Lavinio Mare, Lavinio Stazione, Lido dei Gigli, Lido dei Pini, Lido delle Sirene, Marechiaro, Villa Claudia, Santa Teresa | |
Government | ||
• Mayor | Luciano Bruschini | |
Area | ||
• Total | 43.43 km2 (16.77 sq mi) | |
Elevation | 3 m (10 ft) | |
Population (31 July 2015) | ||
• Total | 54,115 | |
• Density | 1,200/km2 (3,200/sq mi) | |
Demonym(s) | Anziati | |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
Postal code | 00042 | |
Dialing code | 06 | |
Patron saint | St. Anthony | |
Website | Official website |
Anzio [ˈantsjo] is a city and comune on the coast of the Lazio region of Italy, about 51 kilometres (32 mi) south of Rome.
Well known for its seaside harbour setting, it is a fishing port and a departure point for ferries and hydroplanes to the Pontine Islands of Ponza, Palmarola and Ventotene. The city bears great historical significance as the site of Operation Shingle, a crucial landing by the Allies during the Italian Campaign of World War II.
Anzio occupies a part of the ancient Antium territory. In ancient times, Antium was the capital of the Volsci people until it was conquered by the Romans. In some versions of Rome's foundation myth, Antium was founded by Anteias, son of Odysseus, and brother to Rhomos, founder of Rome.
In 493 BC the Roman consul Postumus Cominius Auruncus fought and defeated two armies from Antium, and as a result captured the Volscian towns of Longula, Pollusca and Corioli (to the north of Antium).
With the latter expansion of Rome it was just far enough away to be insulated from the riots and tumults of Rome. When Cicero returned from exile, it was at Antium that he reassembled the battered remains of his libraries, where the scrolls would be secure. Leading Romans built magnificent seaside villas at Antium. The Julian and Claudian emperors frequently visited it: Gaius Maecenas had a villa at Antium; both Emperor Caligula and Nero were born in Antium; the latter founded a colony of veterans and built a new harbour, the projecting moles of which still exist.