Tivoli

Tivoli

Tivoli is a beautiful city with a very rich history dating back to the 13th century B.C.

It lies approximately 20 miles east-north-east of Rome.

It boasts a wealth of historical sites.

Villa Adriana, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site list from 1999

Villa d'Este, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site list since 2001

Villa Gregoriana

Rocca Pia, a fortress built by Pope Pius II in 1461 to counter the urban strife between the Colonna and Orsini families

Temple Of Vesta

Temple of "Tiburtine Sibyl" (true dedication unknown). It was built in the second century BC on an artificial platform in the acropolis. Characterized by Ionic columns (only two of which remain today), it measures 15.90 by 9.15 metres (52.2 by 30.0 ft). The interior was decorated by frescoes and stuccoes, now lost. A church, dedicated to St. George, is known to have existed in the temple from as early as 978.

Sanctuary of Hercules Victor (second century BC). Now in ruins, it was one of the largest structures in central Italy at the time, and was located outside the ancient city, across the road leading to Samnium. Measuring 188 by 140 metres (617 by 459 ft), it included a theater, a large porticoed square and the temple. It was reached through a series of terraces, in a similar fashion to the Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia in Palestrina. The sanctuary also housed one of the more frequented council of musicians in Roman Italy.

Tivoli Cathedral (Duomo, rebuilt from 1635 to 1641)

Roman Temple of the Tosse, located near the Temple of Hercules and the Villa d'Este and dating perhaps to the early fourth century. It is a circular structure with a hole in the 12-metre (39 ft) diameter dome. In the tenth century it was turned into a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.