Tivoli

Lazio

Tivoli (32 km >> Rome) is reached bythe Via Tiburtina, the ancient Roman consular road which has its name from Tivoli itself. The town was called Tibur in Roman times after the legendary Tibertus, venerated as founder of the city with his brother Catillus. The later gave his name to the hill which dominates Tivoli, rising on the right bank of the Aniene river.

Villa d'Este

Villa d'Este was conceived and commissioned by Ippolito d'Este II (1509-1572), Cardinal of Ferrara and son of the famous Lucrezia Borgia and Alfonso d'Este. One of the most beautiful residences of the Renaissance with countless fountains, set in the heart of magnificent Italian style gardens, create a delightfully graceful symphony of carved stone, shade, sunlight and plenty of water.

Villa Adriana, once upon a time - einst - Villa Adriana com'era una volta

... and today - und heute - Villa Adriana oggi - fare clic per ingrandire

When Publius Elis Hadrian assumed power on the 2nd of August, 117 AD, the Roman empire was at its maximum extent and power. The second Spanish-born Roman emperor (after Trajan) Hadrian was a wise politician and a first-rate military commander. He appreciated all forms of art, but had a special passion for architecture, which he indulged even while traveling, as he was accompanied by an army of smiths, masons, jointers and carpenters. This complex was constructed between the years 118 and 134 AD. Four years after the completion of the Villa, the emperor died at age 62 from cirrhosis of the liver in Baia, where he had gone seeking mild weather and a cure for the disease. The ruins of Villa Adriana can only hint at the grandeur and beauty of this Villa that was built to remind him of the monuments and sites he had admired during his travels.