The hills immediately southeast of Rome are famous for their clean air, mild climate, lakes, woods and breathtaking views of Italy's capital city. From Rome, it is sufficient to travel a mere twenty kilometers to reach the first of sixteen towns, collectively referred to as the Castelli Romani, a name inspired by the ancient royal residences which dominate these splendid little towns and which, since ancient times, provided sumptuous summer retreats for the Roman nobility.
With Rome behind us, the first of the towns we meet is Frascati, famous, among other things, for its superb white wine. The town's terraces offer visitors a spectacular view of the Italian capital. The 16th century Cathedral dedicated to St Peter is, arguably, the town's most important edifice and sports an ornate baroque façade and twin bell towers. Not far from Frascati we find the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Tuscolo, originally built as a residential area for the Roman Empire's wealthiest families. In the archaeological area the remains of an acropolis, theatre, and forum can be clearly seen.
Castel Gandolfo is one of the best known towns of the Castelli Romani; its central Villa Pontificia still used as the Pope's sumptuous summer residence. Many will recognise the balcony directly overlooking the Piazza delle Libertà, from where the head of the Catholic Church addresses the crowds of faithful gathered below. The Baroque Church of San Tommaso da Villanova, built in the 17th century, is the work of Gianlorenzo Bernini. Another of Castel Gandolfo's most impressive buildings, Villa Torlonia (also known as Delizia Carolina), is embellished with invaluable works of neoclassical sculpture. This is where the writer Goethe stayed during his second trip to Italy. The scenery surrounding Castel Gandolfo is as beautiful as any you'll find in Italy, and the views of Lake Albano simply breathtaking.
To reach the shores of the lake, we head to Albano Laziale. This picturesque lakeside town was already inhabited in ancient Roman times, as is testified by the Porta Pretoria, dating back to the 2nd-3rd century B.C, and the Cisternone, built in the 2nd century A.D. The cisternone, a huge underground, well supplied water to the whole of the surrounding area and is still fully functioning. Before leaving Albano Laziale, we take a quick peek inside the Church of Santa Maria della Stella, the final resting place of Horiatii and Curiatii.
Our list of places to visit includes the attractive little towns of Ariccia, Genzano and Lariano, all famous for their gastronomic specialties. Ariccia is best known for its boneless pork meat or "porchetta", served in the town's "fraschette". Genzano and Lariano are the proud producers of two different types of bread, both so highly regarded as to have been awarded IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) status.
The last part of our journey brings us to Velletri, the main square of which is home to the 50 meter high Trivio tower, built in Romanesque style in the 14th century and faced with multicolored marble. The 17th century Trivio fountain and the 18th century Church of Santa Maria del Trivio (again in Piazza Cairoli)also more than merit a visit, as does the Civic Museum housed within the town's Palazzo Comunale. The museum contains Cardinal Stefano Borgia's collection of archaeological finds, which were discovered in Velletri and the surrounding area and date from the 6th century B.C to the late Imperial Roman age.
