Cicitavecchia and Bethlehem

Country: Italy
Date of Agreement: 28 October 1998
Name of Mayor: Pietro Tidie
Tel: 0039 766-27838
Fax: 0039 766-34048
Address: Sindaco Dc Civitavecchia. C.A.P. 00053 Civitavecchia

Civitavecchia, is a town and episcopal see, in Roma province, Lazio (Latium) region. It is the principal port for Rome and central Italy. The port, on the Tyrrhenian Sea, was founded early in the 2nd century by the emperor Trajan on a stretch of coast known as Centumcellae. The Porto de Traiano is preserved in the central part of the modern port. The town flourished during late Roman times, but was attacked by the Vandals and destroyed by the Saracens in 828. The people fled to the Monti (mountains) di Allumiere, where a walled town was constructed by Pope Leo IV in 854. Later the inhabitants returned to the old site (hence the name,meaning "old city". The keep, commissioned by Pope Paul III was designed by Donato Bramante and completed by Michelangelo in 1537. The naval arsenal was begun in 1508 . By 1870, when it passed to the Kingdom of Italy, the town was one of the most strongly fortified in the Papal States. Three-fourths of Civitavecchia was destroyed during World War II and the subsequent reconstruction was spread over a larger rea.

In addition to the martime traffic, industries include metallurgical works, a thermoelectric center, mechanical laboratories, and chemical, cement and spirits factories.The port of Civitavecchia exemplifies one of the most significant situations in the Italian harbor panorama because of its ideal geographic position and its excellent marine weather conditions. Nearness to Sardinia has made it the main national coastal shipping port, a natural bridge to the large Mediterranean islands, and an important terminal for combined transport of goods.

Modern, efficient road and railway systems connect it to the most important national and European systems. The railway system consists of the Turin - Genoa - Pisa - Rome line with branches at Pisa to Florence - Bologna and at Grosseto to Siena - Chiusi. It includes a railway ferry to and from Sardinia. The maritime station presently offers diverse services to passengers.

Civitavecchia Port is near Rome "Caput mundi", the "Endless City", keeper of the art and history of Italy. In 20 minutes you can arrive to Tarquinia, a splendid medieval town, famous during the Etruscan Period. Along the coast to Rome, you can come across Santa Marinella, a tourist seaside resort. Near Civitavecchia you can find other interesting cities.