Arpino
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 26 September 2023
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Situated in the hills of the Ciociaria region of Lazio, the hill town of Arpino dominates the local landscape and can boast former Roman consul Cicero among its most famous sons.
In modern times, it's an invigorating destination with a beautiful town centre and a fascinating story to learn about. Highlights include the views from the Civitavecchia Acropoli overlooking it. |
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Arpino in brief
Arpino is an official municipality with a population of 6,880 in 2021. It stands at an elevation of 447 metres above sea level and is situated with the province of Frosinone in Lazio. It was the birthplace of Cicero and highlights include the views from the nearby village called Civitavecchia, or the Acropoli di Arpino. The village includes a watchtower named after Cicero called the Torre di Cicerone. The recommended accommodation is the town centre Hotel Il Cavalier di Arpino while the best-rated restaurant is Il Ciclope which is situated a few kilometres along the road up to Civitavecchia.
Comune di Arpino
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Province: Frosinone
Region: Lazio Population: 6,799 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 55 km² Elevation: 447 metres Highlights: Piazza Municipio, statues of famous Romans Where to stay: Hotel Il Cavalier d'Arpino Where to eat: Il Ciclope Hotel and Restaurant (2 km) |
Awarded the Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag)
1 of 8 in Lazio listed by Touring Club Italiano
1 of 8 in Lazio listed by Touring Club Italiano
Main sights
Arpino's pleasures don't necessarily come in the form of individual sights, particularly famous churches or museums for example, but more in the overall aesthetics of the place. Firstly, it's devilishly good-looking; when it starts to come into view as you approach it, the rows of historic buildings harmoniously blend in with the natural surroundings. If you stay in one of the town centre's hotels, you're likely to be able to open your window on to the magnificent sight of the town laid out below you.
At the heart of the town is Piazza Municipio with its colourful buildings including the local Comune/Municipio in Pompeian red and decorated with a clock face. The Piazza was once a Roman forum and part of the flooring of the forum, excavated during some building work in 2006, is now sectioned off and made a feature of.
Arpino's pleasures don't necessarily come in the form of individual sights, particularly famous churches or museums for example, but more in the overall aesthetics of the place. Firstly, it's devilishly good-looking; when it starts to come into view as you approach it, the rows of historic buildings harmoniously blend in with the natural surroundings. If you stay in one of the town centre's hotels, you're likely to be able to open your window on to the magnificent sight of the town laid out below you.
At the heart of the town is Piazza Municipio with its colourful buildings including the local Comune/Municipio in Pompeian red and decorated with a clock face. The Piazza was once a Roman forum and part of the flooring of the forum, excavated during some building work in 2006, is now sectioned off and made a feature of.
A small number of shops, street-side cafes and the town's main church, la Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo, complete the scene. Away from Piazza Municipio you can wander up, down and around the intimate streets to find fountains, churches and a series of breathtaking views overlooking the local countryside.
The most famous sight in Arpino is actually a few kilometres away from the town: the Torre di Cicerone. It's situated in the borgo of Civitavecchia di Arpino, otherwise known as the Acropoli di Arpino, a walled town from where you can get the best views of Arpino. The tower uses the Italian version of the former Roman statesman's name: Cicerone, which roughly translates as "Great Cicero".
The most famous sight in Arpino is actually a few kilometres away from the town: the Torre di Cicerone. It's situated in the borgo of Civitavecchia di Arpino, otherwise known as the Acropoli di Arpino, a walled town from where you can get the best views of Arpino. The tower uses the Italian version of the former Roman statesman's name: Cicerone, which roughly translates as "Great Cicero".
A little bit of history
Quite surprisingly for a town of its size, Arpino was once the home to not just one, but two Roman consuls. This fact is proudly highlighted in Piazza Municipio, where a statue of Cicero stands in one corner, and Gaius Marius in another. Legend has it that a third famous Roman: Marcus Vispanius Agrippa was also from Arpino although this is largely based upon speculation.
Despite the numerous Roman connections, Arpino dates back much further than the Roman Empire when it was known as Arpinum. It's said to have been founded around the seventh century BC by a combination of the Samnite, Volsci and Pelasgi tribes. During the medieval period it was at times part of the Duchy of Benevento and later, the Papal States.
Quite surprisingly for a town of its size, Arpino was once the home to not just one, but two Roman consuls. This fact is proudly highlighted in Piazza Municipio, where a statue of Cicero stands in one corner, and Gaius Marius in another. Legend has it that a third famous Roman: Marcus Vispanius Agrippa was also from Arpino although this is largely based upon speculation.
Despite the numerous Roman connections, Arpino dates back much further than the Roman Empire when it was known as Arpinum. It's said to have been founded around the seventh century BC by a combination of the Samnite, Volsci and Pelasgi tribes. During the medieval period it was at times part of the Duchy of Benevento and later, the Papal States.
Arpino Gallery
Close to Arpino
The province of Frosinone that surrounds Arpino is often referred to as Ciociaria. The sub-region is without any official boundaries and refers as much to the area as it does to the local culture and language. In terms of tourism, the first place to visit from Arpino is the walled citadel of Civitavecchia, not to be confused with the large coastal port. It lies just four kilometres up the hill from Arpino and provides not only a fascinating glimpse into the past, but some incredible panoramas of Arpino down below.
A scenic fifteen minute drive from Arpino eventually brings you to the town of Isola del Liri. As the name suggests, it's a little island surrounded on all sides by a river, with a wonderful waterfall as its centrepiece. Following the River Liri north for around six kilometres leads you to one of the most important towns in Ciociaria area: Sora.
From Sora you can head east towards the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park with the pretty towns of Alvito and San Donato Val di Comino along the way. Heading in the opposite direction, west from Sora brings you to a cluster of small hill towns which include Veroli, Monte San Giovanni Campano and Boville Ernica.
A scenic fifteen minute drive from Arpino eventually brings you to the town of Isola del Liri. As the name suggests, it's a little island surrounded on all sides by a river, with a wonderful waterfall as its centrepiece. Following the River Liri north for around six kilometres leads you to one of the most important towns in Ciociaria area: Sora.
From Sora you can head east towards the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park with the pretty towns of Alvito and San Donato Val di Comino along the way. Heading in the opposite direction, west from Sora brings you to a cluster of small hill towns which include Veroli, Monte San Giovanni Campano and Boville Ernica.
Arpino Travel
Train station:
Arpino (5 km) - 8 minutes by taxi
Train routes:
Rome Termini
Fastest and cheapest route: 2 hours 32 minutes - €8.40 (1 change)
Napoli Stazione Centrale
Fastest route: 2 hours 55 minutes - €15.90 (2 changes)
Cheapest route: 3 hours 17 minutes - €9.60 (1 change)
Arpino's train station is situated five kilometres away from the town centre and with local bus services intermittent, it's best to organise a taxi. If you have a hotel booked in the town, they should be able to either call a taxi for you or to arrange to collect you themselves.
It takes roughly three hours by train to reach Arpino from both Naples to the south and Rome to the north west. Prices and exact journey times depend on various factors but as a rough guide are in the region of €10 for a regional train. For both Rome and Naples it's necessary to change trains at least once before reaching your destination.
Airports:
Rome Ciampino - 1 hour 15 minutes (108km)
Naples Airport - 1 hour 25 minutes (129 km)
Rome Fiumicino - 1 hour 25 minutes (135 km)
Three of Italy's international airports are reachable by car from Arpino in under an hour and a half with very similar distances and journey times between all three. Of the three, Rome Ciampino is slightly closer but not by an amount that should influence your decision of which one to fly into if planning a visit to Arpino.
Fuel and motorway toll charges:
Rome city centre - around €20 including €6.20 tolls
Naples city centre -around €23 including €7.40 tolls
Driving to Arpino is a simple, painless and enjoyable experience at times; it's situated about half an hour from the A1/E45 motorway that runs north to south between Naples and Rome. Once you leave the motorway the scenery gradually becomes more picturesque with Arpino itself the prettiest of all. The roads are well-maintained for the most part and traffic light. In terms of overall costs, expect to pay around €20 to or from Rome, including motorway tolls, or another €3 or so for Naples.
Arpino (5 km) - 8 minutes by taxi
Train routes:
Rome Termini
Fastest and cheapest route: 2 hours 32 minutes - €8.40 (1 change)
Napoli Stazione Centrale
Fastest route: 2 hours 55 minutes - €15.90 (2 changes)
Cheapest route: 3 hours 17 minutes - €9.60 (1 change)
Arpino's train station is situated five kilometres away from the town centre and with local bus services intermittent, it's best to organise a taxi. If you have a hotel booked in the town, they should be able to either call a taxi for you or to arrange to collect you themselves.
It takes roughly three hours by train to reach Arpino from both Naples to the south and Rome to the north west. Prices and exact journey times depend on various factors but as a rough guide are in the region of €10 for a regional train. For both Rome and Naples it's necessary to change trains at least once before reaching your destination.
Airports:
Rome Ciampino - 1 hour 15 minutes (108km)
Naples Airport - 1 hour 25 minutes (129 km)
Rome Fiumicino - 1 hour 25 minutes (135 km)
Three of Italy's international airports are reachable by car from Arpino in under an hour and a half with very similar distances and journey times between all three. Of the three, Rome Ciampino is slightly closer but not by an amount that should influence your decision of which one to fly into if planning a visit to Arpino.
Fuel and motorway toll charges:
Rome city centre - around €20 including €6.20 tolls
Naples city centre -around €23 including €7.40 tolls
Driving to Arpino is a simple, painless and enjoyable experience at times; it's situated about half an hour from the A1/E45 motorway that runs north to south between Naples and Rome. Once you leave the motorway the scenery gradually becomes more picturesque with Arpino itself the prettiest of all. The roads are well-maintained for the most part and traffic light. In terms of overall costs, expect to pay around €20 to or from Rome, including motorway tolls, or another €3 or so for Naples.
