Offering magnificent views of the low-lying Roman Campagna, Tivoli is a centuries-old town north-east of Rome. Due to its strategic setting on the River Aniene, it was an important settlement under Emperor Hadrian’s rule and was fortified in the Middle Ages. Today, Tivoli is renowned for its Roman ruins and Renaissance gardens.
Things to do in Tivoli
In the heart of Tivoli is the Duomo of San Lorenzo Martire, which was originally constructed in a Romanesque style in the 12th century. The current Baroque cathedral dates from the 17th century and features a 47-metre-high bell tower rising above. Step inside to explore the interior painted by Angelo de Angelis and see the altarpiece depicting St Lawrence.
Don’t miss the terraced gardens of Villa d’Este, which are considered a high point of Italian landscape design. Established in the 16th century for Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este, they feature ornately decorated fountains and an abundance of sculptures. A highlight is the Oval Fountain, which was designed by Pirro Ligorio as a water theatre. The villa is renowned for its gilded ceilings and frescoed walls depicting Biblical scenes.
On the outskirts of Tivoli is Villa Adriana, which was created for the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is clustered with the remains of elegant buildings, such as bathhouses, libraries and theatres. Admire the Greek-inspired figures in the sculpture gardens and stroll through the Piazza d’Oro with its quadrangular colonnade and pond.
Getting around Tivoli
Tivoli is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Rome and 45 minutes from Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Tivoli railway station and the town centre is ideally explored on foot.