The Alban Hills
The Alban Hills, tied to mystical origins of Rome, found relevance again in the Imperial period with Domitian’s Palace in what is now the Pope’s Castel Gandolfo residence and the camp of the 2nd Parthian Legion in Albanum in the Severan period.
There’s enough to see and do in the area to make a complete stand-alone itinerary in the Castelli Romani (as the area is called), but there’s also enough to add to a Rome-based itinerary as a day trip or longer extension.
The programme can be shortened or edited to include archaeological sites and museums specific to your areas of study.
Arrive at Rome’s airport, meet your courier and coach and depart for the town of Albano Laziale.
The town is full of archaeology: the Cistern, Amphitheatre, Baths of Caracalla (now the Museum of the 2nd Parthian Legion), Villa of Pompey in the Villa Doria, “Tombs of the Horatii and Curatii”, Porta Praetoria, Santa Maria della Rotonda (for mosaics from nymphaeum of Domitian’s Palace, fresco reliefs as well as plenty of spolia) and the Museum at Villa Ferrajoli. The Tombs, Villa of Pompey, and Porta Praetoria can be seen as you walk through the town.
The cistern for the Alban Hills is reminiscent of Piscina Mirabilis in Bacoli, and at the Amphitheatre we can request the addition of a didactic event from the re-enactment group of the 2nd Parthian Legion. Visits can be balanced either side of a break for lunch in the town before coach transfer to Ariccia and local Hotel.
The village of Ariccia is one of the oldest towns in Latium, it held deep importance in pre-Roman religion and mythology due to the connection with Diana and Virbius. The town was popular in the imperial period as a place for the Patrician families to retire to their villas in the summer. In the 17th century, the town passed to the Chigi family. The Chigi Pope, Alexander VII, had Bernini design the main Piazza and the church of Santa Maria Assunta.
Nowadays the town is notable in the region for its food, with Porchetta being the most famous export. Evening Meal in local taverna – of which there are legion! If you’re in a small group, it would be easy enough to find your own food here, otherwise we will arrange booking.
Figure 1: Albano Cistern
After breakfast meet coach and depart for Nemi. Begin the day at the Museum of the Ships beside the small picturesque volcanic lake to view the remains of Caligula’s colossal pleasure barges, pieces from the Temple of Diana, casts of ship-based reliefs, inscriptions and numerous domestic and votive items from surrounding villages.
On the road down to the museum, there’s a small section of the Roman basalt road; although you’d have to be quick to spot it, there is a well- preserved section in the museum itself. After the museum, enjoy a pastoral walk to the Sanctuary of Diana Nemorensis for a guided tour of the remains of her temple, theatre, nymphaeum and “celle donarie“, repository of many votive items now on display in the museum.
Keep an eye out for flowers left on altars, as modern pagan weddings still take place there! Coach transfer up to the town of Nemi for lunch and time to explore its many shops offering locally made trinkets and organic fare. There is also the potential to include a trip with an Archaeologist at Nemi’s emissary (drainage tunnel) to “experience a wonderful adventure by visiting this very important emissary.
With its very unique archaeological structure that is almost an Archaeological Unicum in Italy, Europe and probably in the whole world. It is more than a kilometre long and we will visit it with our trusted archaeologist and the necessary equipment”. Having finished the day in Nemi, head back to Ariccia for evening meal at hotel or local trattoria.
Figure 2: Remains of the Temple of Diana at Nemi
After breakfast meet coach and depart for Lanuvio and Velletri (order dependent upon daily opening hours). The small town of Lanuvio, (Lavinium) encircled by medieval walls incorporating sections from Fifth Century BC and remains of Temple to Herakles and a medieval tower built of spolia.
The Sanctuary of Juno Sospita as mentioned by Cicero, lies in a nearby archaeological park with portico, temple and scattered remains. The archaeological collection is spread between the onsite Villa Sforza Cesarini, Civic Archaeology Museum and Museo Diffuso di Lanuvio; constantly evolving it offers pre- Roman, Augustan and a most extraordinary votive collection.
After lunch and exploration, head to Velletri by coach via the Roman bridge at Ponte Loreto. Head to the highest point in town to see a modern statue of Octavian outside the town hall. The small civic museum on the other side of the Comune is home to an amazing marble sarcophagus amongst a wider collection of pieces, including a copy of the Velletri Athena, now in the Louvre.
After a period of free time in the town, meet coach and depart for Ariccia and evening meal at hotel or local trattoria.
Figure 3: Sanctuary of Juno Sospita
Breakfast at hotel, check out, meet coach and depart. First stop is Marino to visit the Mithraeum with its fantastic fresco tauroctony and scenes of the ‘life’ of Mithras.
Breakfast at hotel, check out, meet coach and depart. First stop is Marino to visit the Mithraeum with its fantastic fresco tauroctony and scenes of the ‘life’ of Mithras.
Time for a quick peak in the McDonalds in Marino to see the Roman road that runs beneath it before coach departure for Tusculum, purportedly founded by Telegonus and home Tarquinius Superbus, Sulla, Cicero and may other wealthy notables seeking respite from the summer heat. A guided tour of the Archaeological Park includes Theatre, Forum, Temple of Jove, walls, well preserved section of road, basilica, underground spring, houses, remains of huge villa (Tiberius?) and view of overgrown amphitheatre towards the valley. Depart on coach for Palestrina with time for lunch before
heading up to the remains of the Temple of Palestrina and the attached Archaeological Museum, home to the famous Nilotic Mosaic. Return to coach and depart for Rome airport
Time for a quick peak in the McDonalds in Marino to see the Roman road that runs beneath it before coach departure for Tusculum, purportedly founded by Telegonus and home Tarquinius Superbus, Sulla, Cicero and may other wealthy notables seeking respite from the summer heat. A guided tour of the Archaeological Park includes Theatre, Forum, Temple of Jove, walls, well preserved section of road, basilica, underground spring, houses, remains of huge villa (Tiberius?) and view of overgrown amphitheatre towards the valley. Depart on coach for Palestrina with time for lunch before heading up to the remains of the Temple of Palestrina and the attached Archaeological Museum, home to the famous Nilotic Mosaic.
Return to coach and depart for Rome airport.
Figure 4: The Mithraeum at Marino
Figure 5: Model of the Ship at Nemi Museum
Figure 6: Ponte Loreto
Figure 7: Tusculum Theatre
Figure 8: Albano Amphitheatre
Figure 9: RF Apulian and Attic Ceramics in Lanuvio Civic Museum
Figure 10: Medicinal Votives in Lanuvio Civic Museum
Feel free to contact us to tailor your own tour. 01342 324727
