Civitavecchiais a town andcomuneof theMetropolitan City of Romein the centralItalianregion ofLazio. Asea porton theTyrrhenian Sea, the name ''Civitavecchia'' means "ancient town".The modern city was built over a pre-existingEtruscansettlement.
The massiveForte Michelangelowas first commissioned from Donato Bramante byPope Julius II, to defend theport of Rome. The upper part of the "maschio" tower, however, was designed byMichelangelo, whose name is generally applied to the fortress. North of the city atFiconcellaare theTerme Taurine bathsfrequented byRomansand still popular with the Civitavecchiesi. The modern name stems from the common fig plants among the various pools. And also next to the town is the location of the cruise ship docks. All major cruise lines start and end their cruises at this location, and others stop for shore excursion days that allow guests to seeRomeandVaticansights, which are ninety minutes away.
