Tivoli's Marvels: A 30km Day Trip from Rome

Introduction

If you are looking for a day trip from Rome that combines history, art and nature, then Tivoli is the perfect destination for you. Tivoli is a small town in the Lazio region of Italy, home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este. These two villas are stunning examples of Roman and Renaissance architecture and engineering, surrounded by lush gardens and fountains. Tivoli is also blessed with natural beauty, as it sits on the side of a hill with freshwater springs and waterfalls. Tivoli is only 27 km away from Rome, and you can reach it by public transport or by car in less than an hour.

Getting There

By Public Transport

The most direct route to Tivoli from Rome is to take the Metro Line B (blue line) to the Ponte Mammolo station, and then a bus. When you step out of the Ponte Mammolo station, you will see a number of buses from a company called Cotral. From here, you can take any of the buses marked as heading to Tivoli. The bus ride takes about 50 minutes and costs 2.20 euros one way. You can buy the bus tickets at the station or on board. The bus will drop you off at Largo Nazioni Unite, which is close to the center of Tivoli and Villa d'Este. To get to Hadrian's Villa, you can take another bus from Largo Nazioni Unite or walk for about 40 minutes.

By Car

If you prefer to drive to Tivoli, you can take the A24 motorway from Rome and exit at Tivoli. The drive takes about 40 minutes and costs 1.90 euros in tolls. You can park your car at one of the several parking lots in Tivoli, such as Piazza Garibaldi or Piazza Massimo. The parking fee is around 1 euro per hour. From there, you can walk to Villa d'Este or take a shuttle bus to Hadrian's Villa.

Visiting Hadrian's Villa

Hadrian's Villa (Villa Adriana in Italian) was the residence of Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. It was not just a villa, but a complex of over 30 buildings, including palaces, temples, baths, theatres and libraries. Hadrian was a lover of art and culture, and he designed his villa as a tribute to the places he visited during his travels, such as Greece, Egypt and Asia Minor. Today, you can explore the archaeological ruins of Hadrian's Villa and admire its impressive features, such as:

• The Maritime Theatre, a circular island surrounded by a moat, where Hadrian used to relax and study.
• The Canopus, an artificial canal lined with statues and columns, inspired by an Egyptian sanctuary.
• The Teatro Marittimo, a large pool with an island pavilion in the center, decorated with mosaics and fountains.
• The Heliocaminus Baths, a complex of heated rooms with domes and windows.
• The Pecile, a rectangular garden with a pond and porticoes.

The entrance fee to Hadrian's Villa is 10 euros per person, and it includes an audio guide. You can also join a guided tour for an extra fee. The opening hours vary depending on the season, but generally they are from 9 am to 5 pm (last admission at 4 pm). You can find more information on the official website: http://www.villaadriana.beniculturali.it/

Visiting Villa d'Este

Villa d'Este was built in the 16th century by Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este, who wanted to create a lavish residence that would rival the Vatican. The villa is famous for its Renaissance architecture and its magnificent gardens, which are filled with hundreds of fountains, waterfalls and sculptures. Some of the highlights of Villa d'Este are:

• The Fountain of Neptune, a large cascade of water that creates a spectacular effect.
• The Organ Fountain, a fountain that plays music thanks to a hydraulic mechanism.
• The Fountain of the Owl, a fountain that produces sounds of birds and animals.
• The Fountain of the Dragons, a fountain that features four dragons spouting water.
• The Viale delle Cento Fontane (Avenue of the Hundred Fountains), a long walkway with fountains of different shapes and sizes.

The entrance fee to Villa d'Este is 10 euros per person, and it includes an audio guide. You can also join a guided tour for an extra fee. The opening hours vary depending on the season, but generally they are from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm (last admission at 5:45 pm). You can find more information on the official website: http://www.villadestetivoli.info/

Other Things to See in Tivoli

If you have some extra time in Tivoli, you can also visit some other attractions, such as:

• The historic center of Tivoli, where you can admire medieval and Renaissance buildings, churches and monuments.
• The Rocca Pia, a 15th-century fortress built by Pope Pius II to defend the town from invaders.
• The Villa Gregoriana, a natural park with waterfalls, caves and ancient ruins.
• The Temple of Vesta, a circular temple dating back to the 1st century BC, dedicated to the goddess of the hearth.
• The Temple of the Sibyl, a rectangular temple dating back to the 2nd century BC, dedicated to the prophetess who foretold the future.

Where to Eat and Drink in Tivoli

After exploring the villas and the town, you might want to enjoy some local cuisine and refreshments. Tivoli offers a variety of restaurants, cafes and bars, where you can taste dishes such as:

• Porchetta, roasted pork seasoned with herbs and spices.
• Gnocchi alla romana, baked semolina dumplings with cheese and butter.
• Pasta e ceci, pasta with chickpeas and tomato sauce.
• Ciambelle al vino, ring-shaped cookies made with wine and sugar.
• Maritozzi con la panna, sweet buns filled with whipped cream.

Some of the best places to eat and drink in Tivoli are:

• a Mensa di Tivoli, a cozy restaurant that serves traditional dishes with a modern twist.
• Ristorante Pizzeria Sibilla, a restaurant that offers pizza, pasta and meat dishes in a panoramic location near the Temple of Vesta.
• Osteria Quadrivia, an osteria that specializes in porchetta and other local delicacies.
• Caffè del Castello, a cafe that serves coffee, pastries and ice cream in front of the Rocca Pia.
• Bar Ponte Gregoriano, a bar that offers drinks, snacks and live music near the Villa Gregoriana.

Top Attractions at Tivoli

Hadrian's Villa

Hadrian's Villa, also known as Villa Adriana, was the residence of the Roman emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. It is a vast complex of over 30 buildings, covering an area of about 120 hectares. Here you can admire the architectural and artistic influences of different cultures, from Greece to Egypt, that Hadrian encountered during his travels. You can also explore the ruins of temples, theatres, baths, libraries, gardens and more.

Some of the highlights of Hadrian's Villa include the Maritime Theatre, a circular island surrounded by a moat; the Canopus, a long pool with a colonnade and a statue of Antinous; the Teatro Marittimo, a small theatre with a rotating stage; and the Hall of the Philosophers, where Hadrian used to discuss with his guests.

Visitor tips: Hadrian's Villa is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm (last admission at 6 pm). The entrance fee is 10 euros (8 euros reduced). You can reach Hadrian's Villa by bus from Tivoli's main station or by car (there is a parking lot near the entrance). A guided tour is recommended to fully appreciate the history and significance of this site.

Villa d'Este

Villa d'Este is one of the most beautiful and famous Renaissance villas in Italy. It was built in the 16th century by Cardinal Ippolito d'Este, who wanted to create a lavish residence that would rival the ancient splendor of Hadrian's Villa. The villa is famous for its stunning gardens, which feature over 500 fountains, waterfalls, pools and grottoes.

Some of the highlights of Villa d'Este include the Fountain of Neptune, which shoots water up to 10 meters high; the Fountain of the Organ, which plays music with water-powered pipes; the Fountain of the Dragons, which has four dragons spouting water; and the Hundred Fountains, which line a long alley with jets of water.

Visitor tips: Villa d'Este is open daily from 8:30 am to 7:45 pm (last admission at 6:45 pm). The entrance fee is 10 euros (8 euros reduced). You can reach Villa d'Este by bus or by foot from Tivoli's historic center. A guided tour is recommended to learn more about the history and symbolism of the villa and its gardens.

More Attractions

Besides Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este, there are other attractions worth visiting in Tivoli, such as:

• The Temple of Vesta, a circular temple dating back to the 1st century BC, located on a cliff overlooking the Aniene river.
• The Temple of Sibyl, another ancient temple next to the Temple of Vesta, dedicated to the prophetess Sibyl.
• The Rocca Pia, a medieval fortress built by Pope Pius II in 1461, which offers panoramic views of Tivoli and its surroundings.
• The Villa Gregoriana, a natural park with waterfalls, caves and trails, created by Pope Gregory XVI in 1835.

Activities and Experiences

Hiking and Cycling

Tivoli offers many opportunities for hiking and cycling enthusiasts, thanks to its natural beauty and varied terrain. You can follow one of the many trails that connect Tivoli with Hadrian's Villa or Villa d'Este, or explore the countryside around Tivoli, where you can find ancient aqueducts, olive groves and vineyards. You can also visit the nearby Monte Catillo Regional Park, which has over 40 km of paths for hiking and biking.

Cultural Events

Tivoli hosts several cultural events throughout the year, especially in summer, when you can enjoy concerts, festivals and shows in its historic venues. Some of the most popular events include:

• The International Festival of Music and Art "Villa Adriana", which takes place in July and August at Hadrian's Villa, featuring classical music performances by renowned artists.
• The Festival "Tivoli Estate", which takes place from June to September at various locations in Tivoli, featuring music, theatre, dance and cinema.
• The Festival "Tivoli in Fiore", which takes place in April and May at Villa d'Este, featuring floral displays and exhibitions.

Lesser Known Stories and Interesting Facts about Tivoli

Tivoli has a long and rich history, full of stories and facts that may surprise you. Here are some of them:

• Tivoli was founded by the Sabines, an ancient people who lived in central Italy, before the rise of Rome. The original name of Tivoli was Tibur, which means "waterfall" in the Sabine language.
• Tivoli was a favorite destination for many Roman emperors, poets and artists, who built villas, temples and monuments there. Some of the famous names associated with Tivoli include Augustus, Horace, Ovid, Virgil, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius and Raphael.
• Tivoli was also a place of intrigue and scandal, especially during the Renaissance, when it was ruled by the powerful d'Este family. Some of the notorious episodes that took place in Tivoli include the murder of Lucrezia Borgia's husband by her brother Cesare Borgia, the love affair between Cardinal Ippolito d'Este and the poetess Vittoria Colonna, and the imprisonment of Beatrice Cenci, who was accused of killing her abusive father.
• Tivoli is home to one of the oldest hydraulic organs in the world, which is located in the Fountain of the Organ at Villa d'Este. The organ was built in 1568 by the Swiss engineer Claude Venard, and it still works today, playing music every two hours.
• Tivoli is also famous for its local cuisine, which is based on fresh ingredients from the surrounding countryside. Some of the typical dishes of Tivoli include gnocchi al sugo di coda (gnocchi with oxtail sauce), pollo alla cacciatora (chicken with tomatoes and herbs), porchetta (roasted pork with herbs and spices), and frappe (fried pastry with honey).