THE LIRI OF SAINT THOMAS

In the course of the '200 St. Thomas Aquinas immensely enriched the philosophy and Christian theology. If his teaching in eta ' mature took place mostly in Paris , and ' Ciociaria , and especially in the land affected by this route, which Thomas lived his youth ' and acquired its first cultural training .

We are in the plain of the Liri , where he ran a time the Via Latina , which connected the Lazio and Campania . Here flowers in ancient ' city ' of Aquinum , always loyal to Rome and from this reciprocated with many privileges . Aquinum arrival ' to count 40 thousand inhabitants, before being destroyed by the barbarian invasions . Risen in the Middle Ages , it became a fief of the Counts of Aquino , the lineage that gave rise to Thomas. In reality ' the future saint was born in Roccasecca , fortified village perched on a nearby mountain. The medieval period , the town still retains the church of S. Maria della Libera (XII century) , the house of St. Thomas and the tower. A must see also the triumphal arch of Marcantonio , testimony of the first century . BC and the archaeological ruins of the ancient city ' of Rome.

Just 6 km. Aquino stands by Pontecorvo , which owes its name to the " curved bridge " on the Liri ( rebuilt after the Unit ' of Italy). During the Middle Ages the city ' rebelled ' more ' time to the abbots of Monte Cassino. The period of foundation remains the remarkable tower Rodoaldo (IX) . The country offers interesting folk events throughout the year .

Follow the SS 628 towards Pico , and ' interesting visit to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Monte Leucio ( secXVI ) , in a landscape of hills planted with olive trees and vines. Pico and ' ancient origins ( the name may derive from a deity ' pagan woods ) , and part of the town retains its medieval appearance with remains of walls and towers.

A similar profile of St. John's Errand , adjacent to the eponymous pretty lake at the confluence of the Melfa and Liri .