Villa Gregoriana is a park in Tivoli, a town east of Rome that is reached by train in under an hour. Pope Gregory XVI had it laid out in the 1830s to control the floods of the Aniene River, which was diverted around a deep gorge. The walk passes a large waterfall, grottoes, caves, a small Roman temple and wooded paths. Expect many steps, and plan the route with the views in mind.
Why the park was built
Pope Gregory XVI commissioned the park in the 1830s. The Aniene River had repeatedly flooded Tivoli, so the project diverted its course around a deep gorge. The gorge is about 60 meters deep, and the river now falls in two main waterfalls. The larger one is the Grande Cascata.
In ancient times the gorge was known as the Valley of Hell. The site also sat on routes between the shepherding peoples of the Aniene valley and the Tiber plain from the archaic age.
A garden for Romantic travelers
The park was shaped to look like wild nature. Its woods, cascades and ruins drew 19th-century artists and aristocrats on the Grand Tour. The view of the gorge appears in many paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries, and Tivoli was a favorite subject for painters of that period.
The engineering works were also meant to be enjoyed. Romantic gardens and picnic spots were laid out among the rock and water. It was among the first engineering works of its kind to include them.
What you walk past
The route passes grottoes and caves cut into the rock, balconies and terraces over the chasm, and the ruins of older buildings. Caves named after Neptune and the Sirens are among the points on the paths. A small round Roman temple, the Temple of Vesta, stands above the gorge.
On the ancient acropolis above the gardens, two Roman temples can be seen. One is believed to honor Tibertus, the mythical founder of Tivoli, and the other Albunea, known as the Sibyl Tiburtina. The trail winds down to the river so that you can see the falls from below, and the Ponte Gregoriano gives views over the gorge.
Visiting the park
The FAI manages the park and keeps its routes open from March to December. An audio guide is available in English. A presentation on the park's history is shown near the end of the route.
There are picnic tables, clean toilets inside the park and a souvenir center near the exit. The entrance and restroom are wheelchair accessible, but the paths have many steps.
Villa Gregoriana is one of three major sites in Tivoli, with Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa. A local C.A.T. bus line links the station with all three.
Perguntas frequentes
How long do you need at Villa Gregoriana?
The FAI recommends 1.5 to 2 hours for the full loop. Plan more time if you want to linger at the viewpoints.
Is there an entrance fee?
Yes, there is an entrance fee. The current amount is not listed here, so check the FAI website for prices and online tickets.
Is Villa Gregoriana accessible for visitors with limited mobility?
The entrance and restroom are wheelchair accessible. The route has many steps, and the climb back up from the bottom is demanding.
When is Villa Gregoriana open?
The FAI opens the park's routes from March to December. Check the page for daily hours before you go.
How far is Villa Gregoriana from Rome?
It is roughly half an hour to an hour from central Rome, depending on how you travel. A local bus connects Tivoli's station with the park.
