An ancient town about 30km from Rome with spectacular views over the Roman countryside. There is a lot to see in Tivoli, both man-made and natural wonders. The famous waterfalls formed by the Aniene River are magical and should be seen. Many wealthy ancient Romans built Villas and erected Temples here and in the vicinity. The remains are some of the more impressive to survive from antiquity.
Villa d’Este
A major attraction, it occupies the site of an old Benedictine Convent, and its fame partly rests on the Terrace of 100 Gardens, a masterpiece that gives a vivid impression of the great luxury the Princes of the Church enjoyed. Descend through the priveted paths to the Grotto of Diana and Bernini’s Fontana de Bichierone. Also see Rometta (little Rome), a model of Tiber island with allegorical figures and the legendary she-wolf.
Hadrian’s Villa
Built as a private summer retreat between 118 and 134 AD, worth a day in itself to see. This was a vast open-air museum of the finest architecture in the Roman world. 300 acres are filled with full-scale reproductions of the Emperors favorite buildings from Greece and Egypt. The grounds make a picturesque site with scattered fragments of columns lying among olive and cypress trees. The banks of the canal are lined with caryatids. Below ground, the Emperor even built a whimsical recreation of the underworld, with Hades reaching through underground tunnels linked to various parts of the Villa.
Villa Gregoriana
An impressive park set in a gorge. Full of waterfalls and grottoes, of note the Grande Cascata (525 ft) which falls into the valley behind the town.
A walk through the town also leads you to other sites such as Rocca Pia and the Romanesque Church of St. Sylvester.
Tivoli also hosts many Festivals, and if you happen to be here at the same time we highly recommend you attend and mingle with the locals.
- February features the Carnival
- April the Anniversary of the founding of Tivoli is celebrated
- May has the Procession of La Madonna
- July is famous for the world famous Jazz Fest
- August is known for Homage to St Lawrence (patron Saint)
- September visitors can enjoy Grape Fest