Roman Countryside

<< Lazio

Around Rome is a large rural area with many towns hosting historic attractions, most notably Tivoli. Among this area is Lake Bracciano, a large lake northwest of Rome. The eastern part of the Metropolitan City of Rome is occupied by hills and mountains, dotted with ancient towns.

Tivoli

Tivoli is a city located among the hills east of Rome. Settled in prehistoric times, it was conquered by Rome and became the site of many villas of the richest Roman families. The town suffered a decline in the Middle Ages, and then rose to prominence again as a free comune. After being taken again by Rome, new luxurious villas were built in Tivoli since the Renaissance. The city is now a tourist destination known for its ancient ruins and great view on the Roman countryside.

✪ Hadrian’s Villa

Hadrian’s Villa (Villa Adriana) is one of the largest ancient Roman villas ever built, once serving as the residence of Roman emperor Hadrian. The ruins of the vast complex, erected during the 2nd century, are located just outside Tivoli. The complex includes numerous buildings, including the main imperial palace and various baths and temples. Some of the structures are inspired by buildings located across the Roman Empire, such as the reproductions of a portico in Athens and a sanctuary in Egypt. One of the most peculiar areas in the complex is the Teatro Marittimo (“Maritime Theater”), a round portico with a moat.

✪ Villa d’Este

Villa d’Este is a large Renaissance villa in Tivoli, erected during the 16th century. The villa was erected by the Este family on the site of an ancient monastery adjacent to the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The many richly adorned halls inside the villa feature a large series of elaborate Renaissance frescoes and decorations. The large gardens of the villa are adorned with numerous fountains featuring intricate sculptures, including two made by Bernini.

Temple of Vesta

The Temple of Vesta (Tempio di Vesta) is an ancient Roman temple in Tivoli, located on top of a cliff overlooking the Aniene river. The small circular structure was erected in the 2nd century BCE, around the same time as the adjacent Temple of the Sibyl (Tempio della Sibilla), of which only a few ruins remain. The two temples are located inside the park of Villa Gregoriana. This park was established in the 19th century and features various other attractions, such as the large waterfall of the Aniene river.

Sanctuary of Hercules Victor

The Sanctuary of Hercules Victor (Santuario di Ercole Vincitore) is a ruined Roman temple erected in Tivoli between the 2nd century BCE and the 1st century BCE. Once a large complex, it was abandoned in the Early Middle Ages and was only recently restored.

Rocca Pia

Rocca Pia is a 15th-century castle in Tivoli, featuring four imposing circular towers. Next to the fort are the ruins of the Amphitheater of Blaesus (Anfiteatro di Bleso), which dates from around the 2nd century.

Zagarolo

Zagarolo is a town located on top of a narrow tuff hill east of Rome. The town has medieval origins and a few historic attractions.

Palazzo Rospigliosi

Palazzo Rospigliosi is a large palace in Zagarolo, originally built in the Late Middle Ages and later expanded. The palace features some frescoed halls and various artworks. The building also houses the Toy Museum (Museo del Giocattolo), which includes one of the largest collections in Italy of historic toys from all over the world.

Palestrina

Palestrina is a town located among the hills east of Rome. Founded in ancient times as Praeneste, it was eventually conquered by Rome and became a thriving city and a popular destination for wealthy Romans. Ruled by various noble families throughout the Middle Ages and the modern age, it still houses some ancient ruins.

Temple of Fortuna Primigenia

The Temple of Fortuna Primigenia (Santuario della Fortuna Primigenia) is a large religious complex erected during the age of the Roman Republic in Palestrina. The ruins of the monumental complex are located along the sides of a hill, and feature large terraces overlooking the forum of the ancient town. During the Late Middle Ages, the large Palazzo Colonna Barberini was built on the ruins of the upper terraces. Now this palace houses the National Archaeological Museum of Palestrina (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Palestrina), which includes numerous mosaics, sculptures, and other archaeological findings from around the city.

Subiaco

Subiaco is a town located among the mountains east of Rome. Settled in ancient times, it rose to prominence as a religious center and a site of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages.

Rocca Abbaziale

The Rocca Abbaziale is a fort erected in the Late Middle Ages on a large rock formation in the center of Subiaco. The original fortress was expanded and reworked in the 18th century, and features various decorated halls. Part of the complex houses a museum dedicated to paper and printing.

Abbey of Santa Scolastica

The Abbey of Santa Scolastica (Abbazia di Santa Scolastica) is an abbey near Subiaco founded in the 6th century by Saint Benedict, and the oldest Benedictine monastery in the world. The abbey lived its golden age in the 11th and 12th century, when it ruled over various territories, but its importance eventually declined. The church is in Romanesque and Gothic style, with Neoclassical decorations.

Monastery of San Benedetto

Also known as: Sanctuary of the Sacro Speco (Santuario del Sacro Speco)

The Monastery of San Benedetto (Monastero di San Benedetto) is a Benedictine monastery located on the side of a mountain near the Abbey of Santa Scolastica. The complex features various small cells carved in the rock, including the one where Saint Benedict resided. The monastery is adorned with artworks and decorations, such as a series of medieval frescoes inside the church, and the oldest known depiction of Saint Francis of Assisi, painted while he was still alive.

Arcinazzo Romano

Arcinazzo Romano is a small town located among the mountains in the Metropolitan City of Rome. It is known for hosting the ruins of an ancient Roman villa.

Villa of Trajan

The Villa of Trajan (Villa di Traiano) is a large villa that served as the summer residence of emperor Trajan. The ruins of the complex, located near Arcinazzo Romano, include various structures and a large portico. An archaeological museum in the park houses numerous objects and artworks found here, while a separate section of the collection is located in Arcinazzo Romano.

Licenza

Licenza is a small town located among the hills north of Tivoli, in the Metropolitan City of Rome. The town houses some historic attractions and ancient ruins.

Horace’s Villa

Horace’s Villa (Villa di Orazio) is an ancient Roman villa located near Licenza. The large complex, erected in the 1st century BCE, was the residence of poet Horace, who wrote various poems about this place. The ruins of the villa also feature ancient baths and large mosaic floors.

Capena

Capena is a small town located north of Rome. A town of ancient origins, it is best known for hosting some archaeological ruins.

Archaeological Area of Lucus Feroniae

Lucus Feroniae was an ancient sanctuary originally built around the 7th century BCE, and later expanded into a small town. Once a thriving religious site, it was reworked and rebuilt various times, but the town built around it was abandoned in the Early Middle Ages. Now the archaeological area features the ruins of some structures, including temples, baths, and an amphitheater. Various archaeological finds unearthed here are hosted in a small museum in the park. Next to this archaeological area are the ruins of the Villa dei Volusii, a large Roman villa adorned with mosaics originally dating from the 1st century BCE and later expanded. The site is located east of Capena and south of Fiano Romano, next to the A1 highway.

Lake Bracciano

Lake Bracciano (Lago di Bracciano) is a large volcanic lake located northwest of Rome. A popular tourist attraction, it is surrounded by some small towns and protected as part of a natural park.

Orsini-Odescalchi Castle

The Orsini-Odescalchi Castle is a castle located in Bracciano, the town that gives its name to the nearby lake. The imposing fortress was erected in the late 15th century over some previous fortifications, and now serves as a museum hosting several artworks. The castle offers a great view on Lake Bracciano, and it is often used as movie set and wedding location for celebrities.

Italian Air Force Museum

The Italian Air Force Museum (Museo Storico dell’Aeronautica Militare) is a military museum located near the shores of Lake Bracciano, between Bracciano and Anguillara Sabazia. The museum houses numerous historic planes and aircrafts, along with exhibits on the history of the Italian Air Force.

Anguillara Sabazia

Anguillara Sabazia is a small town located on a promontory along the shores of Lake Bracciano. The town is a tourist destination, and features various medieval attractions. Various points around the town offer a beautiful view over the lake.