Castel Gandolfo - Pontifical Villas - Ariccia - Castelli Romani - Frascati

Route: Rome - Castel Gandolfo - Pontifical Villas - Ariccia - Castelli Romani - Frascati - Rome
Duration: 8 h
This tour will be at countryside near the Rome. Firstly we will visit to the Castel Gandolfo. The construction of Castel Gandolfo is based on the ancient and splendid Roman villa of Albanum Domitian which was the residence that the emperor Domitian built between the years 81 and 96. The town remained in oblivion until 1200 when the Genoese family of the Gandolfo built the castle on top of the hill overlooking the lake.  There we will visit to Pontifical Villa which in the 16th century  was designed by Carlo Maderno for Pope Urban VIII in the17th century, however, Pius XI later added the Papal Palace and the adjoining villa Barbarini. The small square in front of the Residence was renamed in 1870 with the name of Liberty Square during the movement for Italian unity. Also there you wil see the Church of St. Thomas of Villanova, is the Collegiate Church that dominates the main square of the village. Its construction began in 1658 on behalf of Pope Alexander VII Chigi and the project was entrusted to the great artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini. There are also located two convents, a school, a farm, the gardens and the Vatican Observatory. Next we will visit to Ariccia which is a lovely town in the beautiful hills of the Castelli Romani. One look at the town's outline and characteristic streets and you'll see why it's considered one of the prettiest and most popular of the towns in the Castelli Romani. It is filled with architectural gems, thanks to the wealthy patrons who brought in the famous architect and sculptor Bernini to artfully enhance Ariccia. There are several churches and palaces with his Baroque designs. Ariccia is one of the oldest towns of the Latin League, dating back to the sixth century BC. It fought against Rome in the early days of the republic but was conquered by the Romans eventually.In the Middle Ages it was a strategic point. The approach to town is dramatic with its high, double-arched bridge that mimics the ancient aqueducts. Chigi Park is tucked below the bridge. The vast Piazza di Corte, also known as Piazza Repubblica, is an elegant public space fronted by churches and palaces. Also you will see the Baroque Palazzo Savelli Chigi, built by Bernini and Fontana, The Churchy of the Assunta was built in 1664 by Bernini who was inspired by the Pantheon for its design, the Santuario di Santa Maria di Galloro and its accompanying convent dates to the early 1600s, with a facade by the master. Next we will visit to the village of Castelli Romani, known for the cultivation of the strawberries on the shores of Lake Nemi . The historic center is situated in a panoramic position on the Lake Nemi, famous for having been the site of the discovery in the 1927-1932 two ships roman commemorative of the age of the Emperor Caligula. The village began to exist only when it was built the castle, around the IX century. The powerful family of the Counts of Tusculum very probably possessed the agricultural community residing in the valley of Lake, as already controlled much of the Agro Romano and of Colli Albani. The new owners fortified the area most high, strong position and wild that dominated the entire lake and was unassailable from three sides, giving rise to what in the texts of the period is defined multiple times "castrum Nemoris", literally "the citadel in the forest". The population of farmers and fishermen who lived scattered in the valley of Lake found more secure approach the Tuscolano fort and built the oldest part of Nemi, that today is called "Pullarella". There you can see the Sanctuary of the Holy Crucifix, the Palazzo Ruspoli, the Museum of the Roman ships and the remains of the Temple of Diana. Next we will visit to Frascati where visit to Frascati Cathedral which is one of the popular Roman Catholic Church and is dedicate to Apostle Saint Peter. Cattedrale di Frascati is also a basilica and is the seat of the Bishop of Frascati. The foundation of this cathedral began in the year 1598 and the completion of this church took more than a decade. In later years, the Frascati Catherdal have undergone notable renovations and the façade was added by famous architect Gerolamo Fontana who constructed the façade over a period of two years from 1698 to 1700. This façade can be viewed when on Cattedrale di Frascato tours and the towers of the cathedral were added later and completed the big picture making Frascati Catherdal one of the top places to visit in Italy.iss aspect for the tourists. After we return to Rome.
Price: per person