How to get around Anagni

Anagni is easy to reach and then requires a climb, which is the usual shape of a Lazio hill town.

The comune lies in the middle Sacco valley, on the long-established corridor between Rome and the south, and the valley carries both road and rail.

The town itself is 424 metres up on its hill, well above the valley floor, so arriving at the station or on the valley road leaves you below the place you came for.

Once up, the medieval centre is walked and only walked: it keeps the appearance of a small medieval hill town, with small twisting streets and steep lanes, inside Roman boundary walls.

The comune is large — 113 square kilometres crossing the whole valley from the Ernici to the Lepini — so reaching the industrial plain, the Macchia di Anagni reserve or Monte Porciano means driving.

Two Italian rules apply here as everywhere in the country. A ticket bought from a kiosk or machine must be validated on board before the journey starts, or an inspector will issue an on-the-spot fine. And driving into a historic centre usually needs a ZTL pass, with the boundary marked in black on a yellow sign.

From Rome. Anagni lies in the hills east-south-east of the city, in the middle Latin valley, which has carried the main route south since antiquity.

Station to town. The valley floor is where the transport is; the town is 424 metres up on its hill. Expect a transfer or a climb.

In the centre. On foot. Small twisting streets and steep lanes inside Roman boundary walls, with the cathedral and the acropolis at the north-east end.

Across the comune. 113 square kilometres, from the Ernici mountains and Monte Porciano at 900 metres down to the slopes of the Lepini. A car is needed for anything outside the hill town.

The plain. Entirely occupied by the industrial district, apart from the Macchia di Anagni reserve.

Villa Magna. The imperial villa associated with Marcus Aurelius lies in the vicinity rather than in the town.

Mobility note. This is a steep medieval hill town; the lanes are narrow and stepped, and the gradient from the valley is substantial.

Validate your ticket. If you buy a ticket from a kiosk or machine, you must validate it on public transport before you start your journey. Officials patrol and issue an on-the-spot fine if your ticket is not validated.

ZTL. You need a pass to drive into the historic centre of many Italian towns in a private or hire car. The boundaries are marked with the letters ZTL in black on a yellow sign, and a camera reads your plate.

Strikes. Transport strikes in Italy are often called at short notice, which matters most if your visit depends on a single connection.

Taxis. Use only officially licensed taxis, which carry a taxi sign on the roof and a company name and number on the side.