le casette di Frà

The location made a big difference: in Santa Severa, right by Via Aurelia, close to the supermarket and squares, and just three minutes from the sea. Parking was included, which is especially handy there, and even my big dog liked the area. The house had everything we needed, from comfortable mattresses and air conditioning to a large bathroom, complete kitchen, linens, and a pleasant terrace. It was comfortable, practical, lovely, and just the right size for us. I found what I wanted and plan to come back next year. Thanks, Francesca, for two!

What a shame that so little of the site's history is visible. The whole complex was once the factory of Leo Catozzo, a now-forgotten figure who mattered greatly to Italian and world cinema. He edited films for Fellini and others, and in the 1950s invented a small device that changed film editing. It became hugely popular, then was forgotten when digital came along, though it also won an Oscar for innovation in 1990. There are only sparse, mysterious traces of this past, including Leo’s library, or part of it, with early 20th-century books once owned by his father, the distinguished musician Nino Cattozzo. I don’t know whether the Catozzo heirs own it or someone else does, but the offerings really need upgrading. The rooms in the Casette di Frà could be renamed, perhaps calling the whole place Dolce Vita and naming each little house after a Catozzo-edited film, with decor tied to that film. Guests could watch those films on the existing TVs instead of the usual dull channels. There’s already a kind of display of Armida Catozzo’s drawings in the corridors, and it could be developed. The bare terraces could be used too. That’s just a start. Replacing the supermarket and bar with other attractions could draw summer visitors from Santa Severa and Santa Marinella, and winter visitors from Civitavecchia and nearby, especially with a highway exit right by the old factory. Then this rather unlikely guesthouse location could become a real draw and help the whole area. It wouldn’t be a foolish project. Even without enough money to redevelop the entire building, I’m sure it could attract investors. It would be a real shame to let it die this way. As for the apartment, it was clean and decent, with a reasonable amount of equipment. Some things were missing or broken: no kitchen towel, a broken shower bracket, no milk boiler, and a grater that seemed like a child’s toy. The bed was adequate, Luca and Francesca were very kind and helpful, and the studio price was good. The little houses sit above a bar and Eurospin supermarket, between a parking lot and the railway tracks. The windows are double-glazed, so the occasional train wasn’t a bother.

We stayed for two nights as a group of pilgrims on our way to Rome. The location just outside Rome was excellent, with plenty of parking and easy access for buses. The place was welcoming, clean, and had friendly, helpful staff. Having a supermarket and bar right downstairs was useful too. I highly recommend it.

Alina UK Francesca was so helpful while I was here. I didn’t know the area, so she sent me links for nearby towns and things to do. I’d also left behind my souvenir magnets from the cities I’d visited, and she kindly mailed them to me in the UK. The apartment was clean and had a kitchen with everything needed for a comfortable stay. There’s also a shared terrace with comfortable furniture and a barbecue. I had a pleasant experience and highly recommend it.