For many tourists, Rome is a real fairy tale. Beautiful fountains, streets and houses - everything here is impressive and makes you love the city at first sight. But no less interesting for tourists and the surroundings of Rome. One such place is Castel Gandolfo.
Historical reference
The history of Castel Gandolfo (Italy) began a millennium BC. According to ancient legends, Askaniy (the son of Aeneas) founded the city of Alba Long here. In the erected temple of Vesta, the flame brought from Troy was always burning. Legend has it that the future founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, were born in the city. After the arrival of the Romans, the Appian Way appeared. Gradually, palaces and villas of wealthy patricians began to be built. After many years, the region was defeated due to barbarian raids. Therefore, for the next 300 years no one lived here. And only after three centuries, wealthy Romans again began to build residences. They erected them in the form of impregnable and fortified castles. One of them was Castel Gandolfo, who served as the residence for the Gandolfo family from Genoa.
In the Middle Ages, Pope Clement attached the castle to church property. A monastery was founded here. And in 1628, Pope Urban VIII was settled in Castel Gandolfo, because he could not stand the city heat. On his orders, the architect Carlo Modern was commissioned to build a castle on the site of Gandolfo. Since then, the new palace has become the summer residence of the pope. The rich history of the town gives the locals reason to be proud of it. Currently, it is protected not only by the Vatican, but is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Description of the city
Castel Gandolfo y Rome is one of the most prominent places in the vicinity of the capital. Here you can admire the most beautiful landscapes, listen to the birds singing, breathe the air and enjoy walks in the local streets. Sights of Castell Gandolfo (Italy) are of interest to tourists and pilgrims who come to the city.
Probably, no one would have known about a small town in the vicinity of Rome if the residence of the pope were not located here. All the streets invariably lead guests to the papal palace. But only close faces and cardinals can get inside the castle. But you can admire the palace from the outside.
How to get to Castell Gandolfo from Rome?
A small town is located in the center of the country. Its population is only seven thousand people. Castel Gandolfo is located on the west coast of Lake Albano, which arose in the crater of an extinct volcano. The distance from the city to the Tyrrhenian Sea is 40 kilometers.
Rome is only 25 kilometers away. Such a close location makes it possible to quickly reach all travelers who wish to see the papal residence and the sights of the town. How to get to Castell Gandolfo? The easiest way to get there is by car on a direct highway. You can also get on a train that leaves from Rome every hour. The train takes 45 minutes.
Papal residence today
For most visitors to the city, the papal residence is the most famous attraction. But this is far from the case. There are other attractions in the city. As we already mentioned, the palace building was erected during the period of the activity of Pope Urban VIII, who was very fond of Castel Gandolfo. He liked the cozy corner, surrounded by the Albanian mountains.
The pontiff was a true connoisseur and connoisseur of architecture, floristry, sculpture. He did a lot to decorate not only the palace, but also the nearest territory. Later, Villa Barberini was added to the papal residence. In the period 1870-1929. the palace belonged to the Vatican, but at the same time did not enjoy popularity among church leaders. But now the situation has changed, and the pontiffs prefer to spend all summer in the residence, trying to hide from the heat that prevails in the Vatican.
The castle building is located on the west coast of the lake, its windows offer a unique view that will not leave anyone indifferent.
Attractions located near the papal palace
The sights of Castel Gandolfo include the central square of Liberty, located at the papal palace. It houses the fountain of the famous Bernini. He is not as beautiful as the other works of the master, but still deserves attention.
At the southern end of the palace is Villa Barberini. You can admire it if you go around the papal residence on a narrow street, braided on the sides with weaving plants. At one time, Tadeo Barberini often rested in the villa. He loved this beautiful place.
Nearby are the remains of the villa of the Roman emperor Domitian, who in the summer escaped from the heat in Castell Gandolfo. In 1930, the observatory from the Vatican, which is considered the oldest in Europe, was moved to the city. Its white domed views from anywhere in the city. The observatory has two telescopes designed to observe celestial bodies. They are currently in working condition, but are rarely used. The observatory has been actively used for no more than 50 years. All observations are now being conducted in Arizona. But the works of Galileo Galilei and Giordano Bruno are still kept at the Castel Gandolfo Observatory.
Lake albano
Another attraction of Castel Gandolfo (photo is given in the article) is Lake Albano, whose depth reaches 170 meters. Such great depths are explained by volcanic origin. The water in the lake has a stunning turquoise blue hue. Numerous tourists come to the town to admire its beauty of the reservoir and take beautiful photos as a keepsake.
It is worth noting that stunning landscapes are the main wealth of the province. The city is located in a very picturesque place. Currently, in Castel Gandolfo, the coast of the lake is equipped with a beautiful promenade. There are beaches, and yachts go along the water. Rich mansions and villas are built on the coast. In general, the place is incredibly picturesque, you can appreciate its beauty only by seeing it live.
Villa Kibo
Not far from the papal palace is another villa, which was attached to the apartments of the pontiffs. It was named after the cardinal for whom it was built. Pope Clement in 1774 acquired it from the Duke of Modena, who was at that time its owner, for a very decent amount.
The modern papal residence is a complex of buildings of different eras, combined into a single whole.
Church of St. Thomas
The city has several temples worthy of the attention of tourists. Among them is the Church of St. Thomas from Villanova, built in the seventeenth century. Bernini was its architect. The square building is made in the shape of a symmetrical Greek cross. The temple is equipped with a large dome, which is amazingly beautifully decorated from the inside. In the interiors of the church it is worth paying attention to the famous works of Pietro da Cortona.
Interesting temples of the city
Among the attractions of the city is the temple of Our Lady of the Lake, which was ordered at the insistence of Pope Paul VI. The church was consecrated by him in 1977. No less interesting is the temple of Santa Maria Susanna, which began to be built in 1619. In addition, the city still has several churches: Santa Maria, Santa Maria della Kona.
In Castel Gandolfo you can see villas built in different eras. They all differ in appearance. One of them is the Santa Catarina villa, which houses the North American Pontiff College. During its construction, workers discovered fragments of earlier structures of the Roman period.
Another villa "Torlonia", built in the sixteenth century by the Justiniani family from Rome. The building acquired its modern appearance later, in 1829. From the windows of the villa offers a unique view of the plain.
On the west coast of Lake Albano is the bathhouse of the oldest nymphaeum of Diana. It is located in a round cave, the width of which reaches 17 meters. The floors in the grotto are paved with ancient mosaics, fragments of which are still preserved.
Tourists reviews
According to tourists, Castel Gandolfo is a very small but cute town that can leave only the most pleasant experience. When you get into it, it seems that time stopped here a couple of centuries ago. Everything is so beautiful around that I don’t want to leave anywhere.
Experienced tourists definitely recommend sitting in one of the restaurants on the promenade and taking a boat or catamaran ride on the lake. Well, a trip on a yacht in general can give tourists a lot of impressions. According to travelers, the main attraction of the region is not ancient buildings, but natural beauty.
Young people who come to the city tend to have a good time on the coast of the lake. But the pilgrims are more interested in the papal residence. Of course, it will not be possible to get inside it, but you can take a walk in the garden. Not so long ago, an internal kindergarten was open to visitors. Therefore, everyone can walk on it.
The small town is very interesting for tourists. Of course, there are not as many attractions in it as in Rome. But he is not without his charm. No wonder that in due time the pontiffs chose him.