Castel Gandolfo, the little hilltop Lazio town is known as The Vatican of the Roman Hills.
High above the metropolitan city of Rome, and not far from Ciampino Airport, Castel Gandolfo is home to the summer residence of the popes. The Roman Hills are called the Castelli Romani for the many Roman villas built here in ancient times, and are a series of small towns that sit atop a volcano crater about half an hoir by car from Rome. Each little town has its own charm and is packed with history and traditions.
A fountain designed by Bernini and Roman ruins
Castel Gandolfo overlooks Lake Albano and is worth a visit first and foremost to visit the papal residence as well as its gardens that preserve the remains of the Villa of Domitian. In the square in front of the Papal Palace there is the beautiful church of St Thomas of Villanova and the fountain, both designed by the great architect Bernini. A visit to the lake wedged in the former volcanic crater is a must. You can stroll along the promenade with its many restaurants and bathing establishments, take a boat tour, canoe or sailboat, and walk or cycle along the lake path. It is also possible to visit interesting Roman remains overlooking the lake such as the Doric Nymphaeum and the Bergantino Nymphaeum
The Vatican of the Castelli Romani has beautiful gardens
The majesty of the Papal Palace that greets those arriving on the square, has also contributed to making this one of the most beautiful small towns in Italy. From Friday to Monday it is possible to visit the Papal residence and the Vatican Gardens with their many botanical rarities, and the archaeological remains of the Villa of Domitian which has an enormous cryptoporticus. Inside the residence there is a museum and in the courtyard some of the famous popemobile papal cars are on view,
Visiting the papal bedroom and a monthly flea market
A visit to the
