Castelli Romani

<< Lazio

The territory of the Castelli Romani (“Roman Castles”) is made up of various small towns located around the Alban Hills, southeast of Rome. Its name comes from the numerous forts built here during the Late Middle Ages, when the area was contested between various feudal lords. Since ancient times, this has been a summer destination for wealthy Romans, including the popes. The area is known for featuring various historic attractions, but also for its wine. Two volcanic lakes are located among the hills, Lake Albano and Lake Nemi.

Frascati

Frascati is a town at the northwestern edge of the Castelli Romani. Inhabited since ancient times, it became the seat of a small fiefdom in the 16th century. Various villas of wealthy Romans were built in Frascati since then, some of which survive to this day. The town is also known for its wine and for hosting some scientific institutions.

Frascati Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of San Pietro (Cattedrale di San Pietro)

The Frascati Cathedral (Duomo di Frascati) is the main church of Frascati. The church was built during the 16th century and features an elaborate Baroque facade with various decorations and two bell towers.

Villa Aldobrandini

Villa Aldobrandini is a large Renaissance villa located near Frascati and featuring a vast park with various attractions. The former stables of the villa, known as Scuderie Aldobrandini, house a museum of local history.

Grottaferrata

Grottaferrata is a town located between Frascati and Marino in the area of the Castelli Romani. In ancient times, the town of Tusculum was located nearby, but the modern Grottaferrata only developed in the Late Middle Ages around an abbey, and after the destruction of Tusculum. Now it is a renowned tourist destination.

Abbey of Santa Maria di Grottaferrata

The Abbey of Santa Maria di Grottaferrata (Abbazia di Santa Maria di Grottaferrata) is an abbey founded in 1004 in Grottaferrata. The church is run by the Italo-Albanian Catholic Church, which follows the Byzantine Rite. The abbey is a fortified monastery with a church erected in Romanesque and Gothic style, also featuring a rich library and a museum. The church is adorned with large medieval mosaics and some Baroque decorations.

Archaeological Area of Tusculum

Tusculum was an ancient city located among the Alban Hills. The town was a small city-state and was eventually conquered by Rome, later becoming the site of numerous villas of wealthy Roman families. Tusculum declined during the Middle Ages, and was destroyed by Rome in 1191 during a war. Now the archaeological area of Tusculum includes the ruins of various ancient and medieval buildings, including a Roman theater. The ruins are located between the municipalities of Grottaferrata and Monte Porzio Catone.

Marino

Marino is a town in the Castelli Romani, located north of Lake Albano. Inhabited since ancient times, it became an important military position in the Late Middle Ages. Now it is a popular tourist destination.

Basilica of San Barnaba

The Basilica of San Barnaba is the main church of Marino and one of the largest in the Castelli Romani. The church was built in the 17th century, and features a Baroque facade adorned with sculptures, and houses some artworks.

Castel Gandolfo

Castel Gandolfo is a town on the western edge of Lake Albano, in the area of the Castelli Romani. The town is famous for having hosted for centuries the summer residence of the popes, but also for its wonderful environment and historic sites.

Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo

The Papal Palace (Palazzo Pontificio) is a 17th-century palace overlooking Lake Albano in Castel Gandolfo. It served for centuries as the summer residence of the popes, and it is an extraterritorial property of the Holy See. The palace now serves as a museum, and also hosts the Vatican Observatory (Specola Vaticana), the astronomical research center of Vatican City.

Villa Barberini Gardens

Villa Barberini is a 17th-century villa and one of the extraterritorial properties of the Holy See in Castel Gandolfo. Its vast gardens feature various attractions, most notably the ruins of the Villa of Domitian (Villa di Domiziano), the large residence of Roman emperor Domitian, erected during the 1st century CE.

Albano Laziale

Albano Laziale is a town south of Lake Albano in the Castelli Romani. For centuries it has been the commercial center of the area, as well as the seat of a bishopric. During its long history, the town has also been a small principality and a possession of the Holy See. Now it is a tourist destination with various historic attractions.

Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Rotonda

The Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Rotonda (Santuario di Santa Maria della Rotonda) is a Marian sanctuary in Albano Laziale. The church originated as an ancient Roman temple, which was turned into a Catholic site during the Middle Ages. The building features a simple facade with a portico and a Romanesque bell tower.

Civic Museum of Albano Laziale

The Civic Museum (Museo Civico) of Albano Laziale is a museum of local history, archaeology, and art, featuring various exhibits. The museum houses numerous archaeological finds unearthed around the town.

Ariccia

Ariccia is a town located near Albano Laziale in the Castelli Romani. Now a popular tourist destination, it was founded in ancient times and it was the seat of a small fiefdom since the Middle Ages and until the 19th century. Ariccia is also famous for its association with porchetta, a kind of pork roast.

Palazzo Chigi

Palazzo Chigi is a historic palace in Ariccia. The palace was erected in various phases between the 15th and 17th century, and now houses a collection of Baroque artworks. The palace faces Piazza di Corte and the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, while adjacent to it are a mounumental bridge and a large park.

Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta

The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta (Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta) is the main church of Ariccia, located in front of Palazzo Chigi. The current church was built on the site of a previous one during the 17th century, and was designed by Bernini. The building features a large dome, and inside it houses various artworks.

Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Galloro

The Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Galloro (Santuario di Santa Maria di Galloro) is a 17th-century Baroque church located just outside Ariccia, and an important Marian sanctuary. The building was partly designed by Bernini, and it houses various artworks.

Nemi

Nemi is a small town located next to Lake Nemi, among the Albani Hills. The town is known for the archaeological findings unearthed in its territory.

Roman Ships Museum of Nemi

The Roman Ships Museum of Nemi (Museo delle Navi Romane di Nemi) is a museum located near the shores of Lake Nemi. The museum originally hosted two large Roman ships dating from the reign of emperor Caligula, but both were destroyed during World War II. Now it houses the remains of the ships, along with reconstructions of some ancient boats, and exhibits on local history.