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The
Castelli Romani
area
is located 35 km south from Rome and represents one of the favourite
destinations of the Romans for out of town trips, because it’s ideally
situated. The beauty of the landscape presenting two enchanting volcanic
lakes, the local cooking and the delicious wine here produced are all
features for an unforgettable exclusive excursion.
The first city we
meet along our way is
Marino,
a famous roman grape cultivation centre where on the first Sunday of October
in every year the traditional wine festival takes place. The people
celebrate this event with allegorical wagon processions while new wine
flows out from the fountains replacing the water.
Through the “via
dei laghi” path we arrive to
Castel Gandolfo,
the historical summer residence of the Popes that overviews on the Albano
lake. Right in front of the Papal House you can find the enchanting fountain
by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and the particular S. Tommaso Church built in 1661
having an impressive size dome (it recalls the Pantheon’s Cupola). Further
down if you lean out of a small terrace you can have a beautiful view over
the lake.
Driving on the long
and huge viaduct that crosses an ancient Vulcan crater we get to
Ariccia, where you can see
the predominance of the Gian Lorenzo Bernini baroque style. This famous
architect dedicated himself to the renewal of “Palazzo Chigi” this time, a
splendid baroque house that is currently subject to visits from all over the
world because of its castle-like shape with 4 towers. Each first Sunday of
September the traditional and well-known
Porchetta
festival
(oven or spit roasted suckling pig flavoured with pepper, rosemary, garlic
and other seasonings) is celebrated in the various prays/branches in the
open air where you can sit and have a good glass of wine.
After passing by
the ''via dei laghi'', rich in oak and chestnut woods, we reach Nemi,
a volcanic village whose shores are lapsed by the homonymous lake where they
discovered the remains of two roman ships. They are now conserved in the
Roman Ship Museum together with the ruins of Diana’s Temple. The little
strawberries of Nemi growing in the Nemi wood are known all over the world
and can be enjoyed at any bar placed by the lakeside.
The itinerary ends
up with
Frascati,
a
city that became famous thanks to its white Doc wine and its sumptuous 16th
century palaces belonging to the noble roman families, like “Villa
Aldobrandini”, decorated with gardens and waterfalls and gorgeous fountains.
Going up along a panoramic street we reach the top of a hill where you can
have a thrilling view over a breathtaking landscape. Moreover it’ll be
possible to visit the ancient ruins of a forum and a amphitheatre belonging
to an old 9th century bC roman city |
