Antoniana estate is at the crossroads of three extraordinary towns, namely; Bassiano, Sermoneta and Sezze. If one climbs up the centuries-old oak tree that oversees the vineyard labyrinth, one can stare at the faraway life on the plain beneath, the beauty of the towns near Rome, the spring water sources attended by the wild cattle.  

Within the Antoniana estate, one can observe the Tower of Acquapuzza (literally ‘stinky water’) which guards the birth of Cavata river and the Tufette lands rich in sulfurous waters. Even earlier, in the same place there was the Latin Castrum Acquaputridae, which was left by the local inhabitants who fled to Bassianus (nowadays Bassiano), property of Lucius Septimius Bassianus, the former name of the Emperor Caracalla.

Medieval bastion on the Ancient Roman routes, the Tower of Acquapuzza represents the ruins of the splendour of the seigneuries of Middle Age. In fact, the Tower of Acquapuzza was controlled by the powerful family of Caetani from Sermoneta, also owner of the lands of Cisterna and Ninfa.

The Tower was a custom point of crucial relevance as a checkpoint of commerce and armies moving between Rome and Southern Italy during the Middle Age. Charles V, returning from Tunisia at the head of his army, was blocked by Caetani from Sermoneta for a blockade organised at the steps of Tower of Acquapuzza.

At that time, the trait of Ancient Appia between Roma and Terracina was inoperable due the swamp, hence the only alternative for the movements was the Appia Pedemontana (at the foothills of the mountain where Antoniana estate is). Such a situation was the reason for the enormous power gathered by Ninfa and Sermoneta lords. Today the Tower of Acquapuzza is a fascinating milestone on the Francigena Route towards Rome and a luxury shelter for the owls.