In a splendid position overlooking Lake Albano, Castel Gandolfo is situated on the brink of a volcanic crater. The town is known for the beauty of the surrounding nature and its elegant old town centre encircled by the walls. It was elected as one of “The most beautiful villages in Italy” (I borghi più belli d’italia). Above all, the small town is famous for the Palazzo Pontificio where the Popes spent their summers since the 17th century. After all, Castel Gandolfo and the neighbouring towns were the favourite place to build summer residences since the Roman era, initially by Patrician families and emperors and later by the high clergy and Roman aristocracy. Evidence of the Roman time are the remains of the Villa di Domiziano to which the Ninfeo Bergantino belongs. The villas and other residences surviving to this day, such as the Church of San Tommaso di Villanova, were mostly built starting from the 17th century when Castel gandolfo became property of the the Holy See. Its history is very ancient as its origins go back to the town of Alba Longa.
Village of Castel Gandolfo
Municipality of Castel Gandolfo
Province of Rome
Lazio Region
Inhabitants: 8.997 castellani
Altitude center: 426 m a.s.l.
The Municipality is part of
I Borghi più belli d'Italia
Protected natural areas:
Parco Regionale dei Castelli Romani
Municipality
Piazza Libertà, 7 - tel: 069359181
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