What are the Roman castles to see, tourist itinerary by car and ride through the territory that includes them, between enchanting landscapes and characteristic villages.
Route by car
Near Rome, in the Colli Albani area, the territory of the Castelli Romani extends, characterized by a pleasant hilly landscape covered by woods and vineyards, embellished by the lakes of Albano and Nemi which as if by magic emerge from the bottom of ancient craters.
Pretty towns, famous for their wine production, whose history has always been linked to the city of Rome, are popular tourist destinations.
The tour of the Castelli Romani can start from the town of Monte Compatri, and from here go down to Monte Porzio Catone, continue towards Frascati and Grottaferrata.
From here go up to the panoramic Rocca di Papa, continue on the slope overlooking Lake Albano and reach Monte Cavo go down through the Pratoni plateau and arrive in Nemi on the lake of the same name.
From here reach Velletri, follow the Appian Way for a short distance, deviating for Lanuvio. Continue for Genzano and Ariccia, up to Albano Laziale and Castel Gandolfo.
After doing almost the complete tour of Lake Albano through the Galleria di Sopra, return to Via dei Laghi.
On the lake shore below Castel Gandolfo, a gallery leads to the junction for the Via Appia Nuova, which leads to Rome.
In Monte Porzio Catone the ancient village with the seventeenth-century parish church.
Before Frascati there is the Tuscolo Astronomical Observatory and, further on, the villa Mondragone.
Above a hill overlooking the entrance the city of Frascati is located the scenic Villa Aldobrandini, one of the most famous of the Tuscan villas that arise in the municipal area of Frascati and in the neighboring ones of Monte Porzio Catone and Grottaferrata.
Recommended readings- Anagni (Lazio): what to see
- Lazio: Sunday day trips
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- Ciociaria (Lazio): what to see in the historic region
- Alatri (Lazio): what to see
Grattaferrata is famous for the Greek Catholic Abbey of San Nilo, founded in 1004 by a group of monks led by S. Nilo di Rossano.
In Marino, a place appreciated for its good wine, the famous Grape Festival takes place every year.
At the end of the main street is the historic sixteenth-century building of Palazzo Colonna, which currently houses the Town Hall.
At Rocca di Papa, at the top of the town, the picturesque Bavarian district, built by the Bavarian soldiers of Ludovico il Bavaro in 1328, retains its typical medieval imprint.
In Nemi the garden overlooking the lake is very beautiful, under the Renaissance Palazzo Ruspoli.
Velletri has a beautiful Cathedral dedicated to S. Clemente Papa, built in the 4th century and rebuilt in the 17th century.
In Genzano, the most interesting monument is the Palazzo Sforza-Cesarini, a valid example of eighteenth-century Roman architecture.
In Ariccia in the locality of Galloro there is the seventeenth-century Sanctuary of Maria Santissima di Galloro, one of the most important Marian sanctuaries in Lazio, while at the opposite end of the town, stands the beautiful Piazza della Repubblica, designed by Bernini, at the entrance of the suggestive bridge.
Albano Laziale has very ancient origins and is rich in Roman remains.
Castel Gandolfo, near the lake of Albano, offers very suggestive views, in the center of the country there is the Papal palace, the Pope's summer residence.
