Palidoro: Dune Landscape and History

Palidoro combines a distinctive coastal landscape with an unusually dense historic townscape. The Dune di Palidoro stretch for about three kilometres along the coast and are home to the best-preserved dune landscape along the entire coast of Fiumicino. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Palidoro will find a place whose most important impressions lie between dunes, tower, borgo and church. For planning your trip, the focus can be clearly defined: nature interests are connected with the dunes, while the architectural and commemorative history becomes visible in the borgo and at the Torre di Palidoro.

Dune Landscape and Torre di Palidoro

The Torre di Palidoro dates back to the time of the Saracen invasions and served to spot approaching enemy ships. It is a four-storey tower from the 16th century, built on the ruins of a large Roman villa. Its spatial relationship with the landscape is particularly striking: the Torre di Palidoro rises directly behind the beach of the Dune di Palidoro. Here, the coast and defensive architecture are therefore in an immediate spatial relationship. The Torre is privately owned and can only be viewed from the road.

The Borgo di Palidoro

The Borgo di Palidoro dates back to the 16th century. It preserves its original structure with a cylindrical tower and fortifications visible at the corners of one of the buildings. There, you will encounter several specific architectural features of the same historic complex: a tower, visible fortifications and the preserved structure of the borgo. The site complements the coastal landscape with a clearly recognisable architectural theme.

Church and Sacred Art

At the centre of the square of the Borgo di Palidoro stands the Chiesa dei Santi Apostoli Filippo e Giacomo. The church already existed in 1690 and was enlarged and completed during the pontificate of Pius VI (1775–1799). Above its marble altar is a painting created by Antonio Cavallucci da Sermoneta in 1788. It depicts the Holy Spirit descending upon Saints Filippo and Giacomo. Architectural history, a sacred space and a specifically dated work of art come together here in a single place.

Memorial to Salvo D’Acquisto

In 1960, a marble stele was erected next to the Torre di Palidoro in memory of Carabinieri Vice Brigadier Salvo D’Acquisto. Salvo D’Acquisto assumed sole responsibility for the alleged attack and requested the immediate release of those arrested; the 22 prisoners were subsequently released. The stele adds a specific memorial to this event to the historic landscape of the town.

Further Destinations for Orientation

Cave, La Massimina-casal Lumbroso, Poli, San Cesareo, Santa Maria Di Galeria, Falcognana, Villanova, Cervara Di Roma

To the overarching travel overview: Rome.