The Alban Hills
Enjoy a day exploring the Roman countryside - the Alban hills - a wooded, volcanic lake region that according to tradition, is the setting of the earliest events relating to the myth of ancient Rome.
The place where the Trojan Aeneas landed after having long wondered across the Mediterranean, the place where his son founded the city of Alba Longa where Romulus and Remo were born.
The beauty of the landscape, the mild climate, the proximity of Rome made the area a perfect summer refuge for rich Romans: Lucullo, Cicero, Cato and the emperor Domitian had here their summer retreats.
Between the XVI and the XVII century, this hilly, cool region once again became a favorite, summer holiday resort and the aristocratic families of the time, commissioned famous architects like Bernini, Maderno, della Porta to design their villas and sumptuous gardens.
The residences with their parks and fountains were so rich in the eyes of the poor farmers that they called them castles, Castelli Romani !
We will set out on the southern highway and then take the panoramic road across the Castelli Romani regional park. After a brief stop at Castel Gandolfo, a picturesque village overlooking Lake Albano, where we can take a picture of the Pope’s summer residence.
We will then reach Ariccia and visit Chigi Palace, designed by Bernini for the Pope Alexander VII (1655-1667).
The palace is a unique example of a Baroque residence whose furniture, furbishings and painting collection have remained basically unaltered.
The residence so full of atmosphere has been the setting for The Leopard by Luchino Visconti, one of the greatest widescreen historical epics.
HIGHLIGHTS: panoramic drive – Castel Gandolfo village – Chigi Palace
DURATION: 6 hours
ADMISSION FEE to be settled directly
DURATION: 6 hours
ADMISSION FEE to be settled directly
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