Tivoli is a commune of the greater metropolitan area of Rome in the region of Lazio.
Despite its small size and close proximity to the eternal city, Tivoli actually has a great range of fantastic attractions and sites and is a great place to visit. This commune was founded in Roman times and was an important settlement during the reign of Emperor Hadrian due to its strategic location on the River Aniene. During the Middle Ages, Tivoli came under the control of the Papal States and was fortified with a defensive network and city walls. At the time of the Renaissance, the magnificent Villa d’Este was constructed and the commune continued to prosper.
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1. Villa Adriana
Many people do not know, but to the immediate west of Tivoli, you can find an immense complex that was created for the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Covering an area of 120 hectares, this magnificent complex contains a myriad of well-preserved structures and offers superb insight into ancient Rome.
The Emperor used this villa as a retreat from Rome during the 2nd century AD and Tivoli was chosen due to its picturesque landscape. Today, you can find many beautiful buildings that still exist such as Grandi Terme, Quadriportico, Teatro Marittimo, and Piazza d'Oro.
Furthermore, there is also a plethora of artifacts from the site such as mosaics, pottery, and ceramics. When visiting Tivoli, visiting Villa Adriana is an absolute must!
2. Villa d’Este Gardens
These gardens are possibly the best known in Italy and represent the pinnacle of Italian landscape garden design. Located in the western part of the town center near the Duomo, the gardens are expansive and you could easily spend hours exploring the various different segmented areas.
Within the gardens, you can find several beautiful fountains including the monumental Fontana di Nettuno, the Fontana di Tivoli, and Le Centro Fontane – each fountain is adorned with sculptures and ornate decoration. Additionally, there is a series of landscaped gardens full of plants, trees, and greenery.
This is a truly magical place to walk through and combined with the Villa d’Este Palace, is one of the top sites in Tivoli.
3. Villa d’Este Palace
The Villa e’Este was created during the 16th century under the instruction of Cardinal Ippolito d’Este. Due to its location, the villa offers sublime views of the surrounding landscape and the gorgeous Villa d’Este Gardens.
Within the villa itself, you can find a number of different rooms that have been restored and maintained in their original condition. The detail and decoration found within these rooms are spectacular.
Notable rooms include The Hall of the Hunt, the Hall of Glory, the Hall of Noah and the First Tributine Hall.
Each room is practically covered with beautiful artworks and as you pass through each hall, you are presented with a myriad of different stories and legends and depicted in great detail and color.
4. Via delle Cascatelle
This walkway passes through some gorgeous parkland and allows visitors to see the magnificent waterfalls that cascade in the northern part of Tivoli. If you walk from the Villa Gregoriana and towards the Via Quintilio Varo you can see the waterfalls and the town of Tivoli.
The path winds through some beautiful woods and is a pleasant place to hike during fine weather.
If you want to view the waterfalls from the top, there is a small path from Via Quintilio Varo – this path heads to the edge of the falls and from here you can see the cascades of water and hear the thunderous noise of the water.
5. Rocca Pia
The Rocca Pia is an ancient medieval fortress that was built during the 15th century. This beautiful structure was constructed during the conflicts of the Guelph’s and Ghibellines and was built to strengthen the defense of Tivoli.
What makes this structure so intriguing is its fantastic symmetrical design and the fact that it stands in such good condition despite being over 500 years old. Four crenulated guard towers surround the keep and the towers and ramparts both feature an arched under design.
Although entry is not permitted inside the Rocca Pia, this is still an important building in the heart of Tivoli.
6. Tivoli Cathedral
The Cathedral of Tivoli is the main religious building in the town and is also known as the Duomo of San Lorenzo Martire. The structure that currently stands in Tivoli was constructed in the 12th century in a Romanesque style.
Although the exterior is quite plain, there is a large bell tower and the whitewashed walls have various inscriptions. Inside the cathedral however is a different story – the main aisle contains some absolutely stunning decoration on the ceilings, arches, and main altar.
Throughout the interior, you can see a myriad of different paintings and frescos, and practically every part of the building contains some ornate decoration.
7. Villa Gregoriana
This romantic complex is nestled within the valley of the Aniene River and is a great place to walk through in the eastern part of Tivoli. Commissioned by Pope Gregory XVI in the 19th century, the villa has a series of beautiful gardens, grottos, and paths that wind through the landscape.
Notable features include the Siren’s Grotto, the Grotto of Neptune and of course the Grande Cascata – you can see this waterfall from the villa in all its glory, and the man-made passageways that directed its flow.
When visiting Tivoli, consider spending time exploring this villa and the surrounding natural area.
8. Chiesa di Sant’Andrea
This understated church is often overlooked in favor of Tivoli cathedral however it has some amazing decoration in its own right and is a true hidden gem. If you go down from Via Ponte Gregoriano towards Via dei Sosii, you will eventually find the church on Via Sant Andrea.
The exterior is quite underwhelming and features several marble statues and Latin inscriptions but the real treat is inside. When entering the church you would not expect such opulent decoration – the ceiling is particularly interesting as it has a checkerboard design with many golden reliefs.
Furthermore, the marble columns of the main aisle have a beautiful swirl pattern, and the main altar is embellished with colorful frescos – don’t miss out on this little known treasure!
9. Tempio di Vesta
The Temple of Vesta commands a domineering position on the western arm of the Aniene valley and provides superb views across to the Villa Gregoriano and the Tivoli waterfalls. Two temples actually sit in close proximity to each other – the Tempio di Vesta and the Temple of Sibilla; both are remnants of the cities Roman past.
The Temple of Vesta features a beautiful circular design with many grand columns, whilst the Temple of Sibilla now stands as a simple square structure. At night the columns are lit up and the effect is highly impressive.
There is even a restaurant next to Tempio di Vesta that offers outdoor seating next to this wonderful structure.
10. Roman Amphitheatre
As mentioned previously, Tivoli has an ancient history that spans back to the Roman era – Emperor Hadrian once lived here. Many structures remain from this time period and one such relic is the Roman Amphitheatre.
This fantastic building has only recently been re-opened to the public but it is now possible to walk through the remains and see what stands of this once glorious theatre.
Located conveniently next to the Rocca Pia and the Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Amphitheatre is easily accessible and a great place to visit whilst walking through the center of Tivoli – you can still see the original oval shape of the building together with some of the columns and walls.
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