Nemi
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 26 September 2023
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Little Nemi is a beautiful, sleepy village that sits on a hill above Lake Nemi in the Metropolitan City of Rome province in Lazio.
Throughout the village you'll find pretty, coloured buildings, many of which contain interesting shops or cafès from where you can admire the views. Particularly memorable are the views across the lake from the beautifully-named Terrazza degli Innamorati - the Terrace of the Lovers, just in front of the Ruspoli Palace. |
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Nemi takes its name from an ancient Roman sanctuary called the Temple of Diana Nemorensis that once occupied the area where the town now stands. It was an important pilgrimage site for hundreds of years between the 6th century BC and 4th century AD.
We also return to the Roman period for another significant piece of history regarding Nemi. Tales of the Roman Emperor Caligula are notoriously outrageous and he brought some of his extravagance to Nemi in the first century AD. The so-called "Nemi Ships" were used as playthings on the neighbouring lake but destroyed shortly after his death. Several attempts were made to salvage the ships, one during the Renaissance that failed, and another by Benito Mussolini between 1929 and 1932.
Although Mussolini's project to raise the ships was successful, they later perished during World War Two after a fire. However, some parts of the ships were saved and the town's Museo delle Navi Romane now displays a series of replicas along with other Roman artefacts.
The volcanic crater that created Nemi's lake provides the ideal growing conditions for strawberries. The quality of Nemi's strawberries is celebrated once a year at a special event called the Sagra delle Fragole; the annual festival takes place in early June.
Nemi is included in the Touring Club Italiano list of Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag) towns which are marked out by the organisation of being particularly worthy of a visit. It's also one of the 16 municipalities that make up the Castelli Romani (Roman Castles) group of towns just outside the capital.
Aside from its beautiful views of the Alban Hills and the lakes, the area is known for its Porchetta: a popular pork dish which it's possible to find in lay-by kiosks and restaurants in this part of Lazio.
There's also plenty to see close by with the Pope's official residence at Castel Gandolfo which also overlooks a lake (Lake Albano) and the historic towns of Ariccia and Marino just a short drive away.
We also return to the Roman period for another significant piece of history regarding Nemi. Tales of the Roman Emperor Caligula are notoriously outrageous and he brought some of his extravagance to Nemi in the first century AD. The so-called "Nemi Ships" were used as playthings on the neighbouring lake but destroyed shortly after his death. Several attempts were made to salvage the ships, one during the Renaissance that failed, and another by Benito Mussolini between 1929 and 1932.
Although Mussolini's project to raise the ships was successful, they later perished during World War Two after a fire. However, some parts of the ships were saved and the town's Museo delle Navi Romane now displays a series of replicas along with other Roman artefacts.
The volcanic crater that created Nemi's lake provides the ideal growing conditions for strawberries. The quality of Nemi's strawberries is celebrated once a year at a special event called the Sagra delle Fragole; the annual festival takes place in early June.
Nemi is included in the Touring Club Italiano list of Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag) towns which are marked out by the organisation of being particularly worthy of a visit. It's also one of the 16 municipalities that make up the Castelli Romani (Roman Castles) group of towns just outside the capital.
Aside from its beautiful views of the Alban Hills and the lakes, the area is known for its Porchetta: a popular pork dish which it's possible to find in lay-by kiosks and restaurants in this part of Lazio.
There's also plenty to see close by with the Pope's official residence at Castel Gandolfo which also overlooks a lake (Lake Albano) and the historic towns of Ariccia and Marino just a short drive away.
Comune di Nemi
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Province: Metropolitan City of Rome
Region: Lazio Population: 1,890 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 7 km² Elevation: 521 metres Highlights: Terrazza degli Innamorati - views over Lake Nemi Close by: Frascati, Genzano di Roma, Albano Laziale, Lake Albano Recommended accommodation: Hotel Verdeborgo (13 km) |
Awarded the Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag)
Listed since: 2003
1 of 6 in Lazio listed by Touring Club Italiano
Listed since: 2003
1 of 6 in Lazio listed by Touring Club Italiano
