Castel Gandolfo
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 23 January 2024
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The lakeside town of Castel Gandolfo is situated within the Metropolitan City of Rome, on the shores of Lake Albano. It has a population of around 9,000 residents and is located 24 kilometres south-east of Rome, the regional capital of Lazio.
Aside from its lakeside charms and historic centre, the town is most famous as being the summer residence of the Pope. |
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Two towns in one
Castel Gandolfo is one of the towns that makes up the area known as Castelli Romani, along with notable neighbours such as Frascati, Nemi and Marino. There are two prominent lakes in the area with Castel Gandolfo looking down from its position in the Alban Hills on to Lake Albano.
On first arrival in the town its lakeside aspect may escape you aside from the beautiful views, but if you follow the road down to the lake you'll find yourself in a fully-blown lakeside resort that's teeming with swimmers in the summer.
The town occupies a large area on the western shores of Lake Albano and its elevated historic centre is not to be missed. You know you're somewhere special when there's a Bernini fountain in the town's main square: Piazza della Libertà.
The pretty square is edged with a number of shops, bars and restaurants, with the beautiful Parocchia di San Tommaso da Villanova in one corner. However, despite the Bernini fountain and the historic church, the main building that looks out onto the square is the Palace of Castel Gandolfo.
On first arrival in the town its lakeside aspect may escape you aside from the beautiful views, but if you follow the road down to the lake you'll find yourself in a fully-blown lakeside resort that's teeming with swimmers in the summer.
The town occupies a large area on the western shores of Lake Albano and its elevated historic centre is not to be missed. You know you're somewhere special when there's a Bernini fountain in the town's main square: Piazza della Libertà.
The pretty square is edged with a number of shops, bars and restaurants, with the beautiful Parocchia di San Tommaso da Villanova in one corner. However, despite the Bernini fountain and the historic church, the main building that looks out onto the square is the Palace of Castel Gandolfo.
The Pope's summer residence
The seventeenth century Palazzo Apostolico di Castel Gandolfo was for many years the Pope's summer residence and nowadays you can explore its museum. The 135 acre site also includes the beautiful Giardini di Villa Barberini, just south of the historic centre.
The Castelli Romani area is fertile ground for exploration; Lake Albano is the larger of the two lakes in the area but Lake Nemi is beautiful nonetheless and its eponymous town is one of the most charming in the Lazio region.
Nemi is one of the Orange Flag Towns of Italy, an award given for a small number of towns that meet certain touristic criteria, while Castel Gandolfo itself is one of the Borghi Più Belli d'Italia (Italy's most beautiful villages).
The Castelli Romani area is fertile ground for exploration; Lake Albano is the larger of the two lakes in the area but Lake Nemi is beautiful nonetheless and its eponymous town is one of the most charming in the Lazio region.
Nemi is one of the Orange Flag Towns of Italy, an award given for a small number of towns that meet certain touristic criteria, while Castel Gandolfo itself is one of the Borghi Più Belli d'Italia (Italy's most beautiful villages).
Comune di Castel Gandolfo
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Province: Metropolitan City of Rome
Region: Lazio Population: 8,553 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2024) Size: 14 km² Elevation: 246 metres Highlights: Giardini di Villa Barberini, swimming in Lake Albano Fly to: Rome Fiumicino Airport - 30 minutes by car (40 km) Close by: Frascati, Genzano di Roma, Albano Laziale, Lake Nemi Recommended accommodation: Hotel Verdeborgo (9 km) |
One of I Borghi più belli d'Italia (Italy's Most Beautiful Villages)
Listing headline: Il Buen Retiro dei Papi (The Pleasant Retreat of the Popes)
Listing headline: Il Buen Retiro dei Papi (The Pleasant Retreat of the Popes)
