It is one of the most visited towns near Rome. In fact, it is located about fifteen kilometers to the northwest and is a good destination to spend the day if you are in the Italian capital. If you do, in this article we are going to talk about the most important places to see in Tivoli, there are many. Before, a little history.
Brief history of Tivoli
According to the chronicles of the thinker and historian of the 1st century BC Dionysus of Halicarnassus, various ancient Greek legends establish the birth of Tibur –as Tivoli was called in classical times– a century before the Trojan War. That is to say, that the first settlers of Tibur lived in the area around the 13th century BC. These, again according to the account of Halicarnassus, could be the Siculi, originating precisely from Thebes.
If this fact is true, Tivoli is six centuries older than Rome itself, although this fact is not proven. What is already known for sure is that in the year 446 BC it appears mentioned in official Roman documents. A century later there was a war between an incipient powerful Rome and the Tiburtines. The latter, supported by the Gauls, held out for a few years until in the year 335 BC. Tibur became part of the Republic of Rome. However, the current Tivoli retained its name to become a retirement town for exiles or emperors like Hadrian. This last emperor of the 2nd century AD spent the last years and died in Hadrian’s Villa that the same command build. So it can be considered that Tivoli, for a time, was an imperial court.
Being close to Rome, Tibur suffered greatly from the Gothic occupation in the 5th century AD, who almost reduced it to ashes already in the 6th. Some time later, part of the town was rebuilt to become a small town during the Middle Ages, which gained importance during the Renaissance. Once again, as a place of retreat for cardinals and Popes
Already in the 20th century, thanks to tourism and the growth of Rome itself, is when Tivoli grew to become a small city of about 60,000 inhabitants and where you can enjoy the following attractions.
Hadrian’s Villa
It is south of the city and is a World Heritage Site thanks to its size and good heritage conservation. Among the most interesting places you can see are:
- The Greek Theatre, to the north of the town.
- Ninfeo or the Temple of Venere, a little to the south.
- The Cryptoportico, remains of a large vaulted temple.
- The Golden Square.
- The Maritime Theatre.
- La Grande Terma, one of the three thermal baths of the town.
East Villa
Another World Heritage town is the one in the East, ordered to be built by Cardinal Hipólito d’Este in the 16th century and which served as a temporary residence for him and later for other religious and members of the Roman upper class.
The Neptune Fountain stands out in the complex , of great beauty and in the central area of ​​this large landscaped villa. Other places of interest are the Fountain of Proserpina, the Fountain of the Organ, the churches of San Nicola and San Pietro alla Carita that surround the villa, or the old palace, now a museum.
Gregorian Villa
The last of the villas to recommend and what to see in Tivoli is the Gregorian, ordered to be built by another religious in the 19th century: Pope Gregory XVI, who chose the northwest area of ​​the city, in the course of the Aniene river that crosses the city. and he heads to Rome until he throws his waters into the Tiber.
Like the Villa del Este, the gardens are the protagonists of the space. Added to this are small caves, fountains, temples such as the Sibilla, to the north of the town and, above all, other Roman remains such as hydraulic structures.
Tivoli waterfall
Speaking of waterfalls, another of the things to do in Tivoli is to visit the most impressive and beautiful one.
It is about a hundred meters east of the Villa Gregoriana within the Park of the same name and in addition to the main waterfall there are other smaller ones.
You have to pay to enter and be located at the top of the waterfall, but the spectacle is worth it. The waterfall has a drop of almost 100 meters and, especially in spring, is when it is most impressive.
Sanctuary of Hercules Victor
This time to the northwest of the city, this complex of Roman origin (Republican period) has numerous spaces. On one side there is a very well-kept amphitheater. There is also a sanctuary and a central square with what was a fountain.
There are several more rooms and even a museum to see how this great building was. An example is the image of the model that we attach to this section.
Tivoli Cathedral
We are going back in time to recommend something else to do in Tivoli: visit its cathedral that has the name of Basilica de San Lorenzo Martir.
Its construction was carried out in several phases. In fact, it is believed that there was already a church in the time of Emperor Constantine (4th century AD). The current structure is from the 11th century, which reused previous parts such as an apse from the 1st century BC.
The following remodeling and additions occurred in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. In the latter, the interior decoration was improved.
Rocca Pia
Opposite the Anfiteatro di Bleso is this great fortress from the 15th century and, once again, ordered to be built by a Pope: Pio II.
For many it is one of the best examples of Renaissance military construction and it still surprises us today due to its height and thick walls. Truly impregnable.
It is in the downtown area of ​​the city, it has some restorations, there are days when access is free and from the top of the towers the views are impressive.
A piece of Tivoli in Rome
This last place of interest to see in Tivoli helps us to finish by highlighting that the surroundings of the city, for centuries, had important white stone quarries such as the one used for Rocca Pia. Good. Back in Rome, when you see St. Peter’s Cathedral, remember that that huge amount of stone blocks were brought from Tivoli itself.
