Castel Gandolfo: Papal History, Art and Lake Albano

Historical Sites and Art

The Galleria dei Ritratti dei Pontefici was established in 2015 in the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo. It presents the history of the papacy over the past five centuries, from Julius II della Rovere to Pope Francis. Castel Gandolfo thus offers a cultural and historical perspective that extends far beyond a single building.

The Palazzo Pontificio was built between 1624 and 1626 on the site of the Savelli castle. The Papal Collegiate Church of San Tommaso da Villanova was built from 1658 onwards on the commission of Pope Alessandro VII Chigi, based on a design by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The Church of San Tommaso da Villanova houses paintings by Borgognone and Pietro da Cortona, as well as stucco work by Antonio Raggi.

The Antiquarium of Villa Barberini displays high-quality works of notable artistic merit in seven halls. They originate mainly from the imperial villa, its theatre and the Ninfeo Bergantino, also known as the Ninfeo di Diana.

You will encounter another form of art in Castel Gandolfo’s open-air street-art gallery. It comprises 800 metres of murals by national and international artists. The cultural spectrum thus ranges from papal history and historic villas to large-scale art in public spaces.

Paths and Shores of Lake Albano

The ancient Via Francigena passes through the village and the area of Castel Gandolfo. The Ninfeo Dorico is the first archaeological site encountered when descending from the centre of Castel Gandolfo to Lake Albano along Via Gramsci.

The Ninfeo Bergantino, also known as the Bagni di Diana, lies on the western shore of Lake Albano. The Villaggio delle Macine is also located on the lakeshore. It dates from the Bronze Age, more precisely from the 17th to the 15th century BC, and preserves the remains of one of the world’s rare examples of pile-dwelling settlements.

The CAI-510 trail encircles Lake Albano over a distance of approximately ten kilometres, partly along paved roads and partly along a forest path.

At the Lungolago di Castel Gandolfo, there are free beaches and beaches under concession, a children’s playground, restaurants, bars and a church.

Observatory and Piazza

The Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo houses historic telescopes; the Papal Gardens of Castel Gandolfo contain historic domes and a visitor centre. The historic sites of the Vatican Observatory in Castel Gandolfo can be accessed via the Vatican Museums.

On the Piazza della Libertà, you can see and use a functional “daughter” of the world’s first letterbox.

Other destinations

Other destinations for planning your own trip: Nettuno, Tivoli Terme, Castelnuovo Di Porto, San Vito Romano, Gavignano, Saracinesco, Carpineto Romano, Bellegra

To the higher-level travel overview: Rome.