Frosinone: Archaeology, Amphitheatre and Carnival

Frosinone brings together archaeological traces, Roman architectural history and the local carnival tradition of the Festa della Radeca. Across the wider province, you’ll also find distinctive monasteries, historic places and landscapes. When planning your trip, it’s worth deciding first whether your stay will focus mainly on Frosinone itself or on several regional themes.

Archaeology and urban history in Frosinone

The Museo Archeologico di Frosinone offers guided tours of its exhibition rooms. The prehistoric section focuses on traces of human presence in the Frosinone area, attributed to the Lower Paleolithic and dated to approximately 250,000 years ago. This approximate date provides a timeframe for these early traces.

The museum also displays archaeological finds from Frosinone and other centers in the province, dating from the period associated with the first historical references to the Volsci in Latium. Important types of finds in this context include pottery, weapons and personal ornaments. Another chapter in local history is represented by the Roman Amphitheatre of Frosinone, built in the 1st or 2nd century AD. Visitors interested in different historical periods will find two distinct points of reference here: early archaeological traces and a structure from Roman times.

The Festa della Radeca on Shrove Tuesday

Frosinone’s cultural life also includes a recurring carnival tradition. The ancient Festa della Radeca, a local tradition known as Carnuale Nostre, is celebrated on Shrove Tuesday. In recent years, the festival has shown clear signs of a revival. If you want to plan your trip around the celebration, check the event dates for Shrove Tuesday.

Cultural heritage across the wider province

Historic sites beyond Frosinone include several places in the province. Ferentino has significant remains of megalithic walls. Anagni is associated with the so-called “Outrage of Anagni” of 1303, when Philip IV of France humiliated Boniface VIII. The two places therefore represent different historical themes: early architectural history in Ferentino and a medieval event in Anagni.

Isola del Liri also brings together history and landscape. Its historic center developed in the Middle Ages at the foot of the 27-meter-high Cascata Grande. Since the 11th century, Castello Boncompagni Viscogliosi has stood watch over the Piana di Sora. At the castle, the Liri divides into two branches, which form the Cascata Grande, also known as the Cascata Verticale, and the Cascata del Valcatoio in the historic center of Isola del Liri.

Monasteries and historic complexes add further points of interest. The Certosa di Trisulti is a monastery complex at an altitude of 800 meters and a national monument. The Abbazia di Casamari is one of the most important surviving examples of Gothic Cistercian architecture. In Fumone, the Rocca Longhi De-Paolis served as the prison of Celestine V and was where he died. Its hanging garden lies at an altitude of 800 meters and is considered the highest in Europe.

Landscape and nature at Lago di Canterno

The Lago di Canterno, the largest karst lake in Latium, is part of the wider regional landscape. Gentle rolling hills, oak woods and other woodland surround the lake, which is protected by the Riserva Naturale of the same name. Along the shore, you can use unpaved paths on foot or by bicycle; trail conditions may vary. Typical wetland birds found at the lake include grey herons, purple herons, little egrets, moorhens and great crested grebes. This adds a landscape and nature perspective to the cultural themes.

Find a hotel to match your travel interests

Decide which themes will shape your stay, then search for hotels in Frosinone.

Discover more destinations: Gallinaro, Paliano, Pastena, Arce, Settefrati, San Donato Val Di Comino, Fiuggi, Ceprano, Arpino, Anagni, Fossò, Ferentino, Cassino, Sora, Supino, Cervaro, Castrocielo, Pignataro Interamna, Frosinone, Alvito, Piedimonte San Germano, Colfelice, Monte San Giovanni Campano, Porciano, San Giorgio A Liri, Broccostella, Sant'elia Fiumerapido, Fumone, Veroli, Filettino, Picinisco, Villa Santa Lucia, Roccasecca Stazione, Vallecorsa, Castro Dei Volsci, Giuliano Di Roma, Atina, Posta Fibreno, Pico, Amaseno, Alatri, Vicalvi, Roselli, Foresta, Casalvieri, Pontecorvo, Fontechiari, Montattico, Patrica, Esperia, Serrone, Strangolagalli, Palombo, Roccasecca, Vallommari, Campoli Appennino, Collepardo, Altipiani di Arcinazzo, Ausonia, Acuto, Sant'Andrea del Garigliano, Piglio, Arnara, Pofi, Falvaterra, Sant'Apollinare, Ripi, Coreno Ausonio, Fontana Liri Superiore

For the broader travel overview: Latium.