Historical towns, mirrored in their lakes
THE CASTELLI ROMANI
The area between via Appia and via Tuscolana is among the most typical and distinctive of the Roman countryside; majestic stretches of ancient aqueducts and mausoleums, set against the elegant leafage of pine trees, creates what seems to be a deliberately created work of art. The Roman Appian Way and the medieval Tuscolana are different in origin and history, but both go to the Castelli Romani (literally, Roman Castles but really town hills), which have traditionally been a favourite venue for the Romans' Sunday outings, both past and present. Here nature, history, and culinary traditions weave together in a closely-knit relationship. The mild climate, plentiful water and ease of reach (thanks to the Appian Way), of the Alban Hills have traditionally attracted many famous Romans who chose this area for their holidays. To this day, the hills continue to exert their lure.
The area is so rich in fascination and sources of interest that two different itineraries are necessary: one follows the via Appia, and the other the via Tuscolana. The first follows the Old Appian Way crossing the extremely interesting archeological park lined by its extraordinary sepulchral monuments, which in old times earned it the name of "sacred." The road goes on to the towns of Albano, Castel Gandolfo, Ariccia and Nemi, which are rich in Roman and medieval vestiges, as well as being adorned by Bernini's magnificent Baroque.
The second itinerary follows the via Tuscolana and visits the atmospheric ruins of the bellicose Latin city of Tusculum, magnificent Renaissance villas and the "wine capitals", Frascati and Marino, with their traditional taverns but also with their exquisite noble palaces. This fascinating itinerary ends at Grottaferrata, with a visit to the imposing Greek Abbey of San Nilo, which for over a millennium has been an important centre for spirituality, culture and art.
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Historycal itineraries
