i
obrandin
Villa Ald
Frascati
Frascati and “Castelli Romani”
”
The expression “Castelli Romani” translates literally
“Roman Castles”, name derived from the villages arisen
around the Popes’ villas and the rich palaces of the noble
Albano
Lake
families who chose these sites for their summer residences,
but in fact the name refers to a collection of wine-producing
hill-towns in the south-east of Rome. These small towns and
villages – Castel Gandolfo, Frascati, Grottaferrata, Rocca di
Papa, Marino, Albano, Ariccia, Nemi among the others - scattered over the wooded slopes of the Alban
Hills (Colli Albani), a landscape created by long-ago volcanic activity.
The circular craters of Lake Nemi and Lake Albano, testament to the area's geological past, are among the
most attractive natural features of Lazio.
edral
The Cath
Frascati
. Pietro,
Piazza S
delle
“Teatro
rascati
F
,
”
e
Acqu
Home to successful civilisations
easily reached by a panoramic
Giacomo
before
route.
dominates the valley towards
the
Romans
began
Frascati’s development
della
Porta
that
throwing their weight about,
as a town was influenced by the
Rome
the Alban Hills became a rural
interest taken by various Popes
gardens, sculptures and water
retreat for the city's wealthy
and
fountains.
residents. Nowadays the tiny
well as by the noble families.
Torlonia
towns are still dominated by the
Here
gardens surrounding the water
by the Roman Curia, as
Villa Falconieri,
great villas and palaces built by
the area's richest and most
powerful families. Some were
converted
into
have
Nearby,
with
its
Villa
beautiful
Famous paintings
offers impressive sights to the
visitors.
Villa
Mondragone,
Villa Grazioli, Villa Parisi and
Villa
been
hotels
enchanting
theatre, Teatro delle Acque,
War, when the area was heavily
Others
its
Frascati,
destroyed in the Second World
bombed.
with
Falconieri
are
other
breathtaking villas dominating
or
municipal offices, or taken over
the
by
religious and historic buildings
wealthy
companies
and
the
today a popular destination for
Romans looking for fresh air,
good food and drink and a
pleasant day out.
Frascati, located 20 kilometres
(12 miles) south-east of Rome,
is a charming town on the
Alban Hills, close to the ancient
Tusculum,
important
designed by Gerolamo Fontana,
The “Castelli Romani” are
of
Also
enrich Frascati: The Cathedral,
religious organisations.
city
town.
whose
archeological remains can be
Church
designed
of
the
Gesù,
by Giovanni De
important buildings, churches
Rosis, and the Church of Santa
and villas were built. The villas
Maria in Vivario with the
are one of Frascati’s most
Medieval bell-tower;
distinctive elements, but also
Bishop’s Palace with its chapel
the wonderful fountains deserve
illustrating
a mention.
Virtues and the Old Rocca,
Villa
Aldobrandini
is
a
magnificent palace designed by
the
the
Theological
witness of a glorious past.
ENEA RESEARCH
CENTRE
But Frascati is also closely associated with Science, being the location of several Scientific Laboratories
(ENEA Research Centre, ESA- European Space Agency, CNR- National Research Council and INFNNational Institute of Nuclear Physics) and a famous European City of Science where the Science Week
is
held
every
year
in
September.
History, culture, art, science
and, of course, Mediterranean
products: Frascati is home of
a special wine production to
taste
in
“fraschette”
its
famous
(picturesque
cellars) and of high quality
extravirgin olive oil.
Osteria dell’Olmo,
Frascati