The area around the city of Rome has lots to offer for furthering your knowledge of this
complex city. Knowledge that can range from archeology, art and wine-making. All you need
is a little time it can give you a hand here, suggesting some trips outside the
city’s gates, near to Rome. If however, you have the chance to take things easy, book a
hotel near Roma and use it as a base for your trips.
As always, tourist’s guide to Rome and surrounding areas has tried to group together
the places to see into various sections of interest, trying to satisfy everyone’s tastes:
Ostia Antica
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| Ostia Antica |
Ostia Antica was founded in the 4th century B.C. For a long time it was Rome’s only river
port: once upon a time, the Tiber ended its course in this very town, whose name actually
means “mouth”, before flowing into the Tyrrhenian Sea. Ostia was a cosmopolitan city and essential
from a military and commercial point of view. There were various temples dedicated
to the various “foreign” divinities that were uncovered during archeological digs. Ostia
Antica was rediscovered fairly recently in historical terms: digs began around 1800
and are still continuing today.
Piazza delle Corporazioni, with its floors entirely made
up of mosaics, and that was once home to the offices of the “trade representatives” of
ancient times, is an interesting site to see. From the steps of the Theater, that is still
used during the summer season for shows, there is a wonderful view of the area.
Tivoli
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| Tivoli |
Tivoli (about 20 km from Rome), which was used by the Romans as a holiday resort in ancient times too, is famous for
its magnificent villas. One of the most spectacular is Villa Adriana that became the residence of the Emperor Hadrian when
he retired from political life. This is the place where Hadrian wanted to recreate the wonders of the world that he had seen
during his travels. For this reason, spread out over the one hundred hectares of parkland,
there are groups of buildings that remind us of Greek constructions, such as the
reproduction of the Athens Academia and Egyptian buildings such as the reproduction
of the city of Canopus.
Another Villa of great artistic interest is Villa d’Este, the residence of Cardinal Ippolito
d’Este. It is famous for the amazing amount of fountains and waterfalls built using the
principle of connecting tubs, vases and grottoes inside the park, which totals 35.000
square meters.
Frascati
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| Frascati |
Lying amongst the Colli Albani and Colli Tuscolani hills, there is an area that groups
together about 15 villages and towns full of history, which make up the area known as the “Castelli Romani”.
We have chosen one of these towns, perhaps the most well-known and popular with visitors: Frascati, about 20 km from Rome.
Famous for its wonderful villas and above all for the wine, usually white, that is produced in this area.
Frascati bianco D.O.C. is produced from a mix of grapes grown in the surrounding
countryside: Malvasia di Candia and Malvasia del Lazio, Trebbiano Greco and Toscano. The result can be tasted in Frascati directly, in one of the many wine cellars in the town, accompanies by a few typical snacks from the area.
As well as your glass of wine, if you go to Frascati, don’t miss a chance to visit the Renaissance-style Villa Aldobrandi
that stands over the beautiful town square, which was once invaded by carts that overflowed with the wine sellers’ barrels.
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