A mere 20 km. south-east of Rome, Castelli Romani isn’t actually a set oc castles but rather a group of 13 towns in the Alban Hills that have provided respite for Romans since the days of Colosseum. Thanks to their volcanic soils the Castelli Romani are incredibly fertile are as known far and wide for their locally produced wines and strawberries. A breath taking panorama of lush valleys and crystal lakes, the region is pretty easy on the eye too, making it a rounded getaway for foodies, lovers and families alike. The tour includes the following sites to visit: APPIA ANTICA ( Cecilia Metella’s tomb and Massenzio’s villa ), FRASCATI, CASTEL GANDOLFO ( Pope Summer Residence ), NEMI.
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8:00 AM
APPIA ANTICA: is the old Roman Appian Way. During ancient Roman times the road was essential in transporting troops down to the port of Brindisi in southeast Italy. Now all the area is part of a nature and archaeological park including many tourist attractions like tombs, basilicas as well as catacombs.
TOMB OF CECILIA METELLA: walking along Via Appia we find the Tomb of Cecilia Metella. This monument was built during the reign of Emperor Augustus in honor of Cecilia Metella the daughter of a Roman Consul. It is a circular mausoleum raised in a square base, very similar to the one of Augustus himself, just smaller. In the 13th century it was incorporated into the Castrum Caetani and became the principal tower of the fortification.
VILLA DI MASSENZIO: one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in the Roman countryside along the Via Appia Antica is the Villa belonging to Emperor Maxentius, Constantine’s adversary in the Battle of the MIlvian Bridge in 312 AD. The complex consists of three main buildings: the palace, a circus and dynastic mausoleum.
FRASCATI: located on the Alban Hills south-east of Rome and close to the ancient city of Tusculum. It is an historical and artistic centre where is produced the well known white wine called “ frascati” taking the name from the City itself. Frascati is famous for its notable Villas which were built from the 16th century onwards by Popes, cardinals and Roman nobles as “ status symbols” of aristocracy; the main villas are: Villa Aldobrandini, Villa Falconieri, Villa Rufinella, Villa Torlonia, Villa Mondragone , Villa Sciarra and many others. To be visited is the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter Apostle ; the Church of the Gesu and The Bishop’s Palace, the old Rocca is a massive construction with two square towers and one rounded one.
CASTEL GANDOLFO: summer in Rome can be hard to handle, Romans take off in droves and the Pope is no exception to the rule so usually He moves from the Vatican City in Rome to the Papal Summer Residence perched above the cooling turquoise waters of Lake Albano. Pope Francis has bucked tradition opening the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo as a museum for locals and tourists. Also among the twenty never before seen rooms now open to the public, is the Pope’s private bedroom where popes Pius XII and Paul VI died. Visitors can also walk in the footsteps of the popes around the equally lavish gardens and grounds.
NEMI: the magnificent natural scenery of the Lake Nemi with its characteristic form of volcanic crater. A trail along the shore leads to entrance of the Emissary, a long tunnel dug into the rock in the 5th century BC, which flows into the nearby Valley of Ariccia. On the banks of the lake rises the Ship Museum where you can admire the remains of the Roman Ships. A little higher up can still be seen the ruins of the Sanctuary and the Temple of Diana Nemorense.
