Aprilia is the youngest among the New Towns present in the province of Latina. It was founded on April 25, 1936 on the reclaimed Pontine Marches, and inaugurated on October 29, 1937, by Benito Mussolini. The name derives from April, the month of the town’s foundation, as well as from the fertile Venus Aprilia.
Aprilia – www.comune.aprilia.lt.it
The original centre of Aprilia, designed according to the traditional layout of the time, featured public institutional buildings, symbols of power but, due to the landing at Anzio on January 22, 1944, only few traces of them are visible today. The bell tower of the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, destroyed in World War II, was rebuilt in 1999, on the 63rd anniversary of the city’s founding.
The Church of San Michele Arcangelo – www.comune.aprilia.lt.it
The Church is also dedicated to Santa Maria Goretti, whose bronze statue stands at the entrance. On September 29, the patron saint, San Michele Arcangelo is celebrated with musical, cultural, religious events, and fireworks.
Piazza delle Erbe – www.comune.aprilia.lt.it
The new Piazza delle Erbe, designed by Otello Lazzari to provide a space for cultural activities and events, was inaugurated on April 25, 2021.
“Evoluzione” by Umberto Mastroianni, in Piazza Roma – www.comune.aprilia.lt.it
In Piazza Roma, stands the bronze sculpture entitled “Evoluzione“ by Umberto Mastroianni, the last work he created before dying in 1998. It was placed above the fountain in 1997, on the 60th anniversary of the town’s inauguration.
The small Church of Sant’Antonio Carroceto, today’s oldest district, was built to commemorate a visit by Pope Innocent XII on April 22, 1697 to Aprilia, where he stopped on his way back to Rome, after inaugurating the Port of Anzio. He was welcomed in Carroceto by the Borghese Family and honoured with grand celebrations and a banquet. In memory of this event, a plaque was installed on a wall of the ancient church, and, in early May, a Historical Reenactment dedicated to Pope Innocent XII is celebrated with a long procession in period costume and a sumptuous banquet.
Since pre-Roman times, vine has been cultivated in the area of Aprilia, a unique territory, which made possible the production of a great variety of excellent wines. Aprilia white, red, rosé, and Merlot DOC have received until today numerous prestigious awards. At the end of October, the town hosts the Grape and Wine Festival, and, during the same month, the Aprilia Film Festival, a meeting point for musicians, dancers, painters, photographers, artisans, and poets. The event also involves many international guests from the world of entertainment, like actors, directors, dubbers, and critics.