Castel Gandolfo, the village that is home to the papal residence

Castel Gandolfo, one of Italy's most beautiful villages, has a thousand-year history that intertwines myth, art and spirituality. The name derives from a castle built in the 12th century by the Roman Gandolfi family. Its origins date back to ancient times: the site was once home to the ancient Alba Longa, the mother city of the Latins, destroyed by the Romans in the 7th century BC. Extraordinary traces remain, such as the emissary dug in 398 BC to regulate the level of Lake Albano. During the Republican era, the area was home to splendid Roman villas, while the village of Cuccuruttus was founded in the Middle Ages. In 1623, under Urban VIII, the palace became a papal residence, enriched in 1659 by Bernini's interventions. Today, Castel Gandolfo is a unique place where nature, history and faith blend harmoniously.

The beauties of the village

Coming from Rome along Via Nettunense, you will encounter the 17th-century villa of Cardinal Flavio Chigi, with its park and frescoed nymphaeum. Returning to the Appian Way, you can admire the church of San Sebastiano and, a little further on, the remains of the villa of Clodio. The Appian Way leads to Castel Gandolfo, where the square opens up with the outlet of the ancient emissary of Lake Albano. From Via Ercolano, you can reach the Horti Torlonia, now an archaeological park with the remains of Domitian's villa, and the splendid Villa Torlonia, restored by Valadier in 1817. Not far away is the former Jesuit villa, which also hosted Goethe, and Villa Cybo, famous for its fountain of the Washerwomen. Also worthy of mention are Palazzo Del Drago and Porta Romana, which leads to the scenic Piazza della Libertà, with the Papal Palace and Bernini's church of San Tommaso da Villanova. Bernini also designed the central fountain and the gate to the papal garden. The belvedere offers a view of the lake, next to the entrance to Villa Barberini, with its Italian gardens and archaeological remains. From the medieval village, you descend towards the shores of the lake, where you will find the Doric nymphaeum, possibly linked to the cults of Alba Longa, and the evocative Bergantino nymphaeum, known as the Baths of Diana.

Events in Castel Gandolfo

Castel Gandolfo celebrates two traditional events that are very dear to the locals. The Peach Festival, held on the first Sunday in August, opens with an exhibition of the most beautiful fruit and an award for the best production. The day continues with singing, dancing in the cellars and snacks made with local products. In the afternoon, a parade of floats distributes peaches to the public. The Feast of St. Sebastian, on the first Sunday in September, is now more subdued than in the past, when it was enlivened by horse and boat races on the lake, fireworks, band concerts and large community lunches.

photo credits  Stefano Tammaro