San Felice Circeo lies on a rocky promontory jutting out over the brilliant Tyrrhenian Sea and a flat expanse of fertile countryside. The promontory has always been identified as the Island Eèa, the home of the famous Sorceress Circe, as told by Homer in his epic poetic tale, Odyssey. Circe steals Ulysses’ heart and turns his companions into pigs. A temple dedicated to her was said to be located on the highest peak of Mount Circeo. The borgo origins date back to the 6th-4th century BC and its buildings bear the signs of its glorious past as a Latin colony, Templar fortress and a favourite haunt of aristocratic families. An arched gate leads into the heart of the historic centre, Piazza Vittorio Veneto, dominated by the 13th century Tower of the Templars, who defended their fortress here from 1240 to 1259; it hosts the permanent Homo Sapiens and Habitat exhibition. In the summertime, San Felice Circeo is a very popular beach resort and has one of the coast’s liveliest nightlife, with bars and restaurants, boutiques and shops.