The most iconic villages of Castelli Romani

Today, I suggest you a splendid itinerary to discover the most iconic villages of Castelli Romani. With the expression Castelli Romani, we indicate a group of villages in the Metropolitan City of Rome, located short distance south-east of the Eternal City in Italy.

The Castelli Romani area is a naturalistic jewel that occupies a volcanic space with a flourishing development of agriculture. The main craters of the volcanoes are occupied by two lakes, Lake Nemi and Lake Albano. Since the time of ancient Rome, this area was frequented by the nobility due to the cool climate during the summer. The tradition was followed by the Popes who still have their summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, on Lake Albano.

Lake Albano, Castel Gandolfo

Lake Albano, 00040 Castel Gandolfo, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy

The Castelli Romani territory is protected by the Castelli Romani Regional Park, which extends for 10,000 hectares and is one of the most attractive destinations in Lazio. In the park, there are suggestive villages with ancient art and monuments of archaeological and artistic interest.

Frascati

Frascati is one of the most famous places in the Castelli Romani area and is located about twenty kilometres from Rome. It offers splendid views of Rome and the Roman countryside. Its territory is scattered with sumptuous Renaissance and Baroque villas, such as Villa Aldobrandini and the Aldobrandini Stables, home to the Archaeological Museum. Frascati is also very famous for its vineyards, which produce excellent wine.

Villa Aldobrandini, Frascati

Via Cardinale Guglielmo Massaia, 18, 00044 Frascati RM, Italia

Grottaferrata

Grottaferrata is an elegant centre of the Castelli Romani and is characterized by noble villas and churches, the most important of which is the Abbey of San Nilo. It is a church dating back to 1024, which houses Byzantine monks. Inside the abbey, there is a rich library containing over 1000 manuscripts and 50,000 volumes of great value. Together with the library, there is also a restoration laboratory for ancient books, which has produced very important works, including the restoration of Leonardo Da Vinci's Codex Atlanticus.

San Nilo Abbey, Grottaferrata

Corso del Popolo, 128, 00046 Grottaferrata RM, Italia

Marino

I have already told you about Marino in the story about the famous Marino's grape festival and the fountains that turn water into wine. From a historical point of view, it is an important town and an important traffic junction in the Castelli Romani.

The Marino Wine Festival

Marino, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy

Palazzo Colonna, Marino

Largo Palazzo Colonna, 6, 00047 Marino RM, Italia

Basilica San Barnaba, Marino

Piazza S. Barnaba, 00047 Marino RM, Italia

Fontana dei 4 Mori, Marino

Piazza Giacomo Matteotti (Marino), 00047 Marino RM, Italia

Castel Gandolfo

In its splendid position overlooking Lake Albano is Castel Gandolfo, included among the most beautiful villages in Italy and famous for being the summer residence of the Pope. Numerous villas and period residences embellish this area, along with sites of archaeological interest dating back to the Roman era. We find the Cybo Palace, Villa Torlonia, the Pontifical Villas with beautiful gardens, and the Papal Palace among the buildings of interest. Of artistic interest is the Church of San Tommaso da Villanova, built by the sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini and located in the main square.

Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo

00040 Castel Gandolfo, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy

Albano Laziale

The town of Albano Laziale rises on the lake of the same name, of volcanic origin. According to tradition, the name of Albano derives from Albalonga, the mythical city founded by Ascanio, son of Aeneas, mentioned in Virgil's Aeneid. In fact, visiting these places, it is likely to come across remains dating back to very ancient times. Some of them are the Roman Amphitheater (dating back to the first half of the third century BC) built as a pastime for the Roman army, or the Cisternoni of the Parthian Legion, which guaranteed the water supply to the Castra Albana, a very important camp of the Roman army, and to the surrounding towns.

Roman Amphitheater, Albano Laziale

Via Anfiteatro Romano, 00041 Albano Laziale RM, Italia

Cisternoni of the Legio II Parthica, Albano Laziale

Via Aurelio Saffi, 96, 00041 Albano Laziale RM, Italia

Ariccia

This characteristic village is famous for its monumental bridge connecting the village to Albano Laziale and the Palazzo Chigi, rich in sculptures and paintings, with the Chigi Park attached. From the food and wine point of view, the city of Ariccia is famous for its porchetta. Numerous bakeries just outside the village produce delicious roast suckling pigs every day, cooked whole and then sliced to fill tasty sandwiches. In the streets of Ariccia, the famous “fraschette” pop up at every corner, small wineries where you can taste Castelli Romani wine and locally produced appetizers.

Ponte di Ariccia

Ponte monumentale di Ariccia, Via del Pometo, 26, 00040 Ariccia RM, Italia

Palazzo Chigi, Ariccia

Palazzo Chigi Ariccia, Piazza di Corte, 14, 00072 Ariccia RM, Italia

Genzano di Roma

The quaint town of Genzano di Roma is world-famous for two traditional products: the infiorata and bread baked in wood ovens. But at the same time, Genzano is important for its historic buildings, first of all, the Villa Sforza Cesarini, for its churches, naturalistic sites and Roman ruins to be discovered.

Palazzo Sforza Cesarini, Genzano di Roma

Via Scaloni, 00045 Genzano di Roma RM, Italia

Nemi

Nemi is nicknamed "the village of strawberries" due to the agricultural tradition of cultivating these exquisite fruits on the shores of Lake Nemi. Its historic centre invites pleasant walks through alleys and artisan shops, and its belvedere offers a spectacle for the eyes on the lake and as far as the sea. In addition, on the shores of the lake, there is a museum that houses a scale copy of two gigantic Roman ships, which belonged to the emperor Caligula, recovered from the lake around the 1930s. A part of the museum is dedicated to findings from all over the Castelli Romani area and from the sanctuary of Diana Nemorense, not far away.

Statue of the Great Mother Earth, Nemi

Piazza Umberto I, 00040 Nemi RM, Italia

Museum of Roman Ships, Nemi

Via del Tempio di Diana, 13, 00074 Nemi RM, Italia

So, that was a perfect itinerary to spend a day dedicated to art, archaeology, traditions, food and wine. After visiting the most iconic villages of Castelli Romani, you will take with you the memories of an unforgettable experience made of art, nature, aromas and flavours. The Castelli Romani are waiting for you to pamper you with their beauties in every season of the year!