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Formiae

Formia
Comune
Comune di Formia
Remains of the ancient Romanport in the Gianola park
Remains of the ancient Roman
port in the Gianola park
Coat of arms of Formia
Coat of arms
Formia within the Province of Latina
Formia within the Province of Latina
Formia is located in Italy
Formia
Formia
Location of Formia in Italy
Coordinates: 41°16′N 13°37′E / 41.267°N 13.617°E / 41.267; 13.617
Country Italy
Region Lazio
Province / Metropolitan city Latina (LT)
Frazioni Castellonorato, Gianola-Santo Janni, Marànola, Penitro, Trivio
Government
 • Mayor Sandro Bartolomeo
Area
 • Total 73 km2 (28 sq mi)
Elevation 19 m (62 ft)
Population (9 October 2011)
 • Total 36,331
 • Density 500/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Formiani
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 04023
Dialing code 0771
Patron saint St. Erasmus and St. John
Saint day June 2 and June 24
Website Official website

Formia is a city and comune 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. It has a population (2011) of 36,331.

Formia was founded in ancient times by the Laconi and named in Greek, Ὁρμίαι (hormiai, meaning "landing place") and later in early Latin, Ormiae. In the Roman Republic era it was called Formiae (derived from Hormia or Ormiai, for its excellent landing). It was a renowned resort during the imperial era.

Cicero was assassinated on the Appian Way outside the town in 43 BC, 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. St. Erasmus later also became known as Saint Elmo the patron saint of sailors.

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the city was sacked by barbarians and the population moved to two distinct burghs on the nearby hill, which were under the rule of Gaeta. Charles II of Anjou built a fortress in the maritime burgh, Mola di Gaeta. The other burgh was known as Castellone, from the castle erected there in the mid-14th century by Onorato I Caetani, count of Fondi.

The two villages were united again in 1863 under the name of Formia. The reunited city was badly damaged in 1943–44 in bombing operations and the Battle of Anzio.

Formia lies on the Tyrrhenian Sea, in southern Lazio, close to the town of Gaeta and next to the borders of Campania region.


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