History
According to some scholars near the coast of Sperlonga there
was Amiclae, the mysterious town founded by Laconi people.
Romans “discovered” this place at the end
of Republican period, and built magnificent villas. They
were attracted by the beauty of this coast and by the
mild climate. The name of Sperlonga comes from the presence
of several natural caves, called ‘speluncae’ in
Latin. After the fall of Roman Empire, local populations
used the ruins of the imperial residence, around VI century,
as a refuge. They were the first inhabitants of Sperlonga
and the village was developing along S. Magno hill. They
escaped from the illnesses of the marshes and pirates’ invasions.
The village was destroyed in 1534 by the men of pirate
Khair ad – Din, called Redbeard.
During 1700 and 1800, Sperlonga developed and took the present
shape of a “turtle”. Churches and palaces were
built.
Linda liguori
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