In addition to the many religious buildings dedicated to Hercules and Vesta, Tivoli retains ancient treasures, including villas owned by poets, generals and emperors. Tivoli is a wonderful place for a holiday: an open-air museum where you can retrace different eras, strolling among the buildings, towers and fortifications. While on holiday in Tivoli you can experience all this and much more!
Tivoli is one of the largest municipalities in Lazio, famous worldwide for its beautiful villas: Villa d'Este, Villa Gregoriana and the beautiful Villa Adriana. Our itinerary starts here, from this stunningly elegant villa included in the prestigious list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. The archaeological site is quite extensive so we recommend you begin your tour in the early morning to discover it fully. Built in 188 AD, this stunning imperial residence in the Tiburtine countryside, is the perfect place to stroll among Roman ruins and nature. Villa Adriana (Hadrian’s Villa) is the biggest villa ever owned by a Roman emperor, a testimony to the extraordinary standard of architectural quality achieved at the time.
After the visit, continue along Via del Colle, the old road leading to Tivoli. Along this road are number of historical monuments to admire, each one more beautiful than the last, including the ancient Tempio della Tosse (Temple of the Cough), the former gate of the city called Porta del Colle, the Casa Gotica (Gothic house) and the Temple of Hercules. Continuing on this road you’ll come to Piazza del Duomo, the site of the Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Mensa Ponderaria. Only the tall Romanesque bell tower and monumental structure remain of the old medieval church, which characteristically only has openings on the top 3 floors. Inside the Duomo, you’ll also find a beautiful wooden Deposition of Christ from the 12th-13th century.
We continue our holiday in Tivoli along Via della Missione, the road that connects the old town with the new, stopping on Piazza Campitelli, one of the most beautiful squares of the city, and another one close to the Church of San Silvestro. Continuing on our walk we’ll come to the beautiful Villa d’Este, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful Renaissance gardens in Italy. The villa was commissioned by Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este and contains an impressive concentration of fountains, nymphaeums, grottos and water features, a model repeatedly emulated by European Mannerist and Baroque gardens. The imposing buildings and terraces on different levels are reminiscent of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the wonders of the ancient world, while the water conveyance system, with an aqueduct and a tunnel under the city, is a great testimony to the engineering wisdom of the Romans. Our walk continues along Via del Trevio, Tivoli’s main street, to admire the beautiful buildings erected between the 16th and 17th centuries and the church of San Biagio, and ends with a stop at the Villa Gregoriana.
Among breathtaking views, picturesque villas and historical monuments, there is no lack of things to do and see! Check out our holiday packages to Tivoli and get ready to set off: a unique and unforgettable experience awaits you.
