The process has begun in the Lazio Region to establish the natural monument “Nero’s Villa and Caves” in the municipality of Anzio.
This idea has been discussed since 2015. Only in January this year, however, with a question presented by the regional councilor and former mayor of Pomezia Adriano Zuccalàthe process has restarted.
Now the proposal for the institution has been deposited, complete with a draft of the decree. As required by law, citizens will have thirty days to submit any comments.
On this topic Zuccalà had declared:
«The battle of the 5 Star Movement continues in the Lazio Region for the establishment of natural monuments, environmental, landscape and archaeological heritage to be protected»
Anzio the Natural Monument Villa and Caves of Nero
That entire stretch of coast of Anzio could therefore become a natural monument, including the beach under Nero’s villa and up to the lighthouse.
We read in the draft of the Decree establishing the area proposed as a Natural Monument:
There, the presence of floristic species of conservation and EU interest was identified, such as, among others, Limonium virgatum subsp. virgatum, indicated as rare.
On the beach of the proposed Natural Monument, a nesting of Caretta caretta turtles was recorded in the summer of 2022, with a positive outcome, monitored and supervised as part of the activities of the Tartalazio Regional Network.
The cliff within the proposed area was chosen as a nesting site by a pair of Peregrine Falcons who have successfully bred here for many years.”
An area full of history
In the draft decree there is certainly no shortage of arguments in favor of the creation of the Anzio area as a natural monument:
“The enormous and undisputed archaeological value of the monumental complex of Nero’s imperial villa which returned, among others, the famous marble sculpture from the Hellenistic age known as the “Maiden of Anzio”, preserved in the National Roman Museum of Palazzo Massimo in Rome.
The area is of historical interest due to the fact that the submarine cable-telegraph connection started from this coastal stretch, first transatlantic submarine cable to the world (1925) which connected Anzio with Buenos Aires and New York, created by the Itacable company of which traces can still be seen.
In the same area it insists the lighthouse of Capo D’Anziobuilt by Pius IX in 1866, 21 meters high and still in use, built on the site of a medieval traffic light tower belonging to the Frangipane”.
Protection and constraints
In conclusion, it is highlighted:
“the didactic-educational function that a protected site like the one in question can play in the context of environmental/cultural education activities towards a wider public”.
With the birth of the natural monument, however, if on the one hand there will be opportunities to recover and enhance the area, on the other hand more stringent constraints and rules to be respected will be introduced.
Read also: The question in the Region: The Caves of Nero (Anzio) and Castrum Inui (Ardea) become natural monuments
