Latera can be a good destination both for high and low periods. It can be pleasant a short visit of half day to discover the little medieval town, but also a journey of some weeks if your looking for relax, nature and points of interest. Situated in fact in a strategical position, Latera is almost near to lakes (Lake Bolsena and Lake Mezzano), mountains (Amiata), sea (Montalto di Castro and Mount Argentario), UNESCO sites (Val d'Orcia and Pienza), historical and archeological sites (Vulci, Castro, Sovana, Pitigliano, Bolsena and many others).
The ''San Clemente'' church, dating back about 1598, replaces and older medieval church and it has been restored several times. If opened, it's a worth a visit inside. The small square outside forms a semicircular shape with medieval houses and an arch of entrance. Outside the arch there's a little but tall bridge. The belltower, with a nice clock on its northern side, dominates the whole old town and it's a landmark of Latera.
On the back of the church there are the remains of the old castle of Farnese dinasty: unfortunately the interior is in ruin but it's anyway interesting outside. Another arc connects Farnese Palace to Latera's ''Comune'' (town hall): you won't notice it if you don't look at it carefully, because it's only a small door: the main things of town hall are inside, because the ceilings and the roofs are original of centuries ago. The interior of town hall is composed by offices so it's not opened to public to visit them, but you can even ask to watch them to some officers (maybe you won't be satisfied by them, but an attempt it's not a trouble).
Outside the western side of Farnese Palace there's a little but very nice square, ''Piazza della Rocca'' ("Rock's Square"), a rectangural shaped place with some trees: recently restored and re-paved, it's a very pleasant place for the stunning views that offers. Piazza della Rocca has been historically built over the top of Latera's walls, and the little stone at the edge wall faces a 20 metres tall slide, overlooking great part of the old town with its charateristic roofs and, in clear days, the valley and the far Valentano town.
Walking down the medieval walls it's a good experience, you'll be able to visit great part of the old town: the main and best preserved are in the western side of the town, in "Via delle Mura" (''Walls' Street''). Anyway the most interesting part is in a narrow and hidden street just after the Farnese Palace, which contains a combination of archs (''I quattr'archi'', "The Four Arches") with a little "Our Lady".
One of the landmarks of Latera is its fountains' cultural heritage. There are 4 historical fountains in the town, each one situated in an angle of the old town. Their position has contribute to associate them to four historical districts of Latera: the southern is "Ducal Fountain" (''Fontana Ducale'') but it's bettern known as ''Ponte'' ("Bridge"); the western is ''Canale'' ("Channel"), a nice big fountain situated in a wooded ditch just outside the town; the eastern is ''Piscero'' (historically ''Viscero''); and northern, today no more existing despite replaced by a new version on a public park, ''Trinchieri''.
Latera hosts a curious museum, the ''Museo della Terra'' ("Country Museum"). Located in an old granary built by some monks come from Mount Amiata, the exposition is made up of a private collection which includes tools and memories of the borough of Latera. Inside the building there are contained the tools used by the peasants to work in the fields and those of the craftsmen of the shops of the town, along with objects related to the religious and social life and children games. Some tools date back to XIX century. You can learn more at the [http://www.museodellaterra.it official site]. The Museum is opened:<br> <u>Summer</u>:<br> Thursday 9-12<br> Tuesday 17-20<br> Saturday 9-13, 17-19<br> Sunday 9-13, 17-19<br> <u>Winter:</u><br> Saturday 10-13, 15-18<br> Sunday 10-13
Latera's greatest public park, ''I Castagneti'' ("Chestnut groves"), is located on the top of the town: it's a part of a chestnut wood transformed in a recreational area. In ''Castagneti'' you'll find tennis, basketball, volleyball and futsal fields. The park is almost crowded by younger popolation of Latera in summer days. In the evening they are open but almost empty because they are not lightened. The other public park is in Latera's entrance.
In autumn, if weather permits it, Latera is a very good place for mushrooms fanatics. Consider that to look for mushrooms you'll need a permission granted by the authority and to use particoular chests and behaviours: if ''Guardia forestale'' (a public police authority for the protection of the wild and woods in Italy) officers meet you without these requirements, they'll impound your mushrooms and sanction you with a huge fine.
Lake Bolsena, not in Latera's territory but very close to the town, is easily reachable by car, bike and, evenctually, even by foot: car is the better option. Lake Bolsena's waters are pleasant for a bath, but be careful of streams and stones. The nearest beaches to Latera are San Magno in Gradoli's comune, and the long Bisenzio strip in Valentano's one.
Latera has a good soccer/football field. Their team play in lower italian categories.
Forget to talk in english or other languages. It would be very hard to find someone who speaks english, because the young population is little and they are not used to interact with tourists or travellers. Maybe you'll be lucky, but don't trust on this evenience.
Consider that, due to the small size of the town, sometimes you won't find the medicine you're looking for. Consider to check it in bordering towns like Gradoli or Valentano, or better Acquapendente. If not, you'll have to wait the ordination.
There are not hospitals or clinics in Latera, usually population goes to Acquapendente or Montefiascone.
There's only a doctor in Latera, people will indicate you him.
Latera was once a town rich of spring water. A lot of sources were sold in 1970's by local administration. Now you can find some water fountains, but they have been marked as not drinkable. Don't worry if local people invite you to drink that water, they'll say "I've grown up drinking this water, is fresh and good and I've never felt bad". The water is in fact tasty and fresh, but drink it at your risk: you could be the first one to feel bad.
If you come in Latera for the first time and feel yourself a bit scowled by local people, don't worry. They are only trying to understand who are you and what are you looking for there. Knowing or helping someone will bring you an immediate esteem and friendship: after the first impact, lateresi are very friendly and opened to 'foreigners'.