Two monuments that are vastly different in terms of era, function, and architectural features, yet united by their importance to the history of the Pontine region, are once again open to visitors. These are Cicero’s Tomb in Formia and the King Ferdinand Bridge in Minturno, both located in the province of Latina and administered by the Lazio Regional Directorate of National Museums of the Ministry of Culture. These special open house events, scheduled between September and November 2026, offer an opportunity to rediscover the cultural heritage of the area stretching from the Gulf of Gaeta to the ancient territories of Formiae and Minturnae and the Garigliano River. This journey takes visitors through centuries of history: from one of the most famous figures of Republican Rome to the engineering innovations of the Bourbon era, all set against backdrops of particular historical and scenic interest.
After a lengthy closure necessary to allow for facility upgrades, Cicero’s Tomb in Formia is once again welcoming visitors with five special open days spread across September and November 2026.The imposing mausoleum, dating to the late Republican era and traditionally identified as Cicero’s tomb, is located along the Via Appia, just outside the town of Formia. The connection to the famous Roman orator and statesman stems from the presence of his villa in the Formia area. It was here that Cicero was killed in 43 B.C. at the hands of Mark Antony’s assassins.
The monument stands in the center of a garden featuring conifers, olive trees, laurel trees, and citrus trees. The green space was created during restoration work in the 1950s, within the original sacred enclosure. The reopening thus offers the opportunity to experience up close a significant relic of the Roman era and, at the same time, to immerse oneself in a particularly evocative natural setting.
Cicero’s Tomb will be open to the public free of charge on the following days:
Sunday, September 6, 2026, from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.;
Sunday, September 13, from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.;
Sunday, September 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.;
Sunday, October 18, from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.;
Sunday, November 1, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Any guided tours, children’s activities, and other events will be announced via the social media channels of the National Museums of Lazio and the National Archaeological Museum of Formia.
At the same time, special openings of the Real Ferdinando Bridge, located within the Minturnae Archaeological Park, continue. The monument is one of the most significant examples of Bourbon engineering and represents a site of particular interest within the region’s historical and architectural heritage. The bridge was inaugurated in 1832 at the behest of Ferdinand II and was designed by engineer Luigi Giura. Its construction represented a major technical innovation: the Real Ferdinando Bridge is, in fact, considered the first iron-chain suspension bridge in continental Europe.
The structure is located on the border between Lazio and Campania, in a scenic setting that makes a visit particularly evocative. The bridge thus combines an interest in the history of engineering with an appreciation for the landscape and local history.
The Real Ferdinando Bridge will be open on the following days:
Sunday, September 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.;
Sunday, September 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.;
Sunday, September 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.;
Sunday, October 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.;
Sunday, October 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.;
Sunday, November 1, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month, thanks to the Ministry of Culture’s “Sunday at the Museum” initiative, on September 6, October 4, and November 1.
On other days, access to the bridge is included in the ticket for the Minturnae Archaeological Park, which costs 5 euros for a full-price ticket and 2 euros for a reduced-price ticket, reserved for visitors aged 18 to 25. Additional discounts and free admission as provided by current regulations remain valid. The special openings of Cicero’s Tomb and the Real Ferdinando Bridge thus offer the opportunity to rediscover two iconic sites of the Pontine region.
“With these special openings, we want to offer the public the opportunity to rediscover two very different sites that, together, tell the story of this region’s rich history,” said Elisabetta Scungio, regional director of the National Museums of Lazio. “From Roman Formia, linked to the figure of Cicero and the great history of the late Republic, to Bourbon Minturno, with the Real Ferdinando Bridge—an extraordinary testament to 19th-century engineering—an ideal cultural itinerary unfolds across the centuries. These two monuments are united by their connection to a major historical thoroughfare—the Appian Way—and by a deep bond with the landscape that surrounds them. Making these sites accessible once again means not only highlighting their value but also bringing them back into the awareness and enjoyment of local communities and visitors alike.”
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| Cicero's Tomb and the Real Ferdinando Bridge Reopen to Visitors for Special Viewing Hours |
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