This is an archeological area which comprises: the arbour, buil by the Emperor Nero, with a surface area of 34 hectares and of which two jetties are still visible; the zone of the arbour warehouse (called Nero's Grottos) alongsate the western jetty; the Imperial Palace which stretches along the coast for 800 metres on top of the cliffs which rise vertically from the sea. The first part of the palace dates back to the Republican Period (secon century B.C.) but it wos later extended and henriched during the reigns of Augustus, Claudius, Hadrian and Severus. Here you can see the remains of the brickwork of some of the rooms, the mosaics of the floors, the heating system of the "Calidarium" and its annexed "Thermae" and a cryptoporticus know as the "Library of Domilitian". The palace was the residence of all the Emperors from Augustus to the Severi and it was particularly dear to Augustus himself, to Nero who was born there and to Hadrian who described it as one of the most beautiful places in Italy.
From its ruins have been brought to the light sculptures which are famouse all over the word: the "Fanciulla d'Anzio" (the maiden of Anzio), the "Apollo del Belvedere" (the Belvedere Apollo), the "Gladiatore Borghese" (The Borghese Gladiator). Within the palace grounds was to be found the temple of the Godes Fortune (Dea Fortuna) in Antium. This was one of the most important places of worship of the ancent world as far back as the earliest period of history and the Latin poet Horace said of it "O Diva Gratum quae regis Antium" (Carme I, 35,1): "Oh Godes you who reign over pleasant Antium".