Arce: History, Churches and Routes along the Liri

Arce between Antiquity and Railway History

The Parco archeologico di Fregellae provides insights into life in a Roman colony of the 2nd century BC in four exhibition pavilions. Fregellae was founded by Rome in 328 BC at the confluence of the Liri and Sacco as a Latin colony and was situated on an elevated plateau isolated by rivers and marshlands. Tours of the park can be reserved by email.

Museums with Regional and Technical Themes

The Museo della Ferrovia della Valle del Liri di Arce features a 15-square-metre model of Arce railway station and freight yard with a driving simulator. It also contains models of the most important Italian and foreign steam and electric locomotives, as well as items used by railway staff. The Museo Antropologico Gente di Ciociaria documents the customs and ways of life of communities associated with Ciociaria. It offers advance ticket sales or on-site ticket sales, as well as barrier-reduced access for people with disabilities.

Churches and Sacred Art

The Chiesa di S. Agostino is a very old church with pre-Romanesque architecture and a pre-Romanesque rose window on the façade. It may have been built in the 11th century; its existence is reliably documented for 1343. The Chiesa SS Apostoli Pietro e Paolo was built between 1702 and 1744 and preserves valuable paintings and stucco work from the 18th and 19th centuries. In Isoletta, the Chiesa di S. Maria della Vittoria dates from the first half of the 18th century. It was created as part of the revival of the town initiated by the Boncompagni dukes and preserves an image of the Virgin Mary associated with the cult of the “dressed Madonnas” in Lazio and of considerable ethnological and anthropological interest.

Towers, Chapels and Historic Village Routes

The Chiesa di S.Maria dello Sperone preserves a valuable wooden crucifix from the second half of the 17th century in a glazed wall display case. It was built on a rocky spur visible on the southern side, from which it derives its name. The Torre di S. Eleuterio is approximately 19 metres high and extends over five levels. Also known as Torre del Pedaggio, the tower is located in Campolato on the left bank of the Liri River; its fortified medieval complex controlled a bridge and served a customs function. Via Corte Vecchia historically connected the parish church, town hall and courthouse and was one of the town’s busiest streets until the 1960s.

At Palazzo Forte-Rescigni in Isoletta, King Ferdinand II of Bourbon stayed as a guest of Don Achille Forte on 23 April 1856. A portrait of Ferdinand II and a commemorative plaque recall this stay. The Cappella de la Madonnella is located near a road not far from the centre of Isoletta, at the confluence of the Rio la Zoppa and the Liri River. It has ancient origins and may be identical to the church of S. Maria della Vittoria mentioned in the Rationes decimarum for 1308–1310 and 1325. The Cappella di San Pasquale has direct access from the public road.

Historic Roads and Routes by the Water

The historic Via Civita Farnese was developed as a road between Itri and Arce and opened to wheeled traffic in May 1855. The documented section ran from Itri to the junction with the Arce–Ceprano road. Even on the most difficult sections, including near Pico, Via Civita Farnese has gradients of no more than 5 percent. As a suggested route, the Liris cycle path runs through Sant’Eleuterio, a district of Arce, and offers views of Lake Isoletta, also known as Lake San Giovanni-Incarico. The lake was created by a dam for electricity generation.

Market, Events and Mobility

A weekly market takes place every Friday morning along Corso Umberto I. In Arce, the traditional Fierozza of Sant’Agostino is associated with 28 August and new onions. Le Cantine di S. Martino is associated with the first weekend in November. Arce is connected to the Roccasecca–Avezzano railway line. The Circuito Valle del Liri offers kart rental as well as driving one’s own karts, motorcycles and supermotos; off-road driving is excluded.

More places for planning your trip: Giuliano Di Roma, Falvaterra, Acuto, Pontecorvo, Pastena, Ferentino, Sant'elia Fiumerapido, Vallommari

To the higher-level travel overview: Frosinone.