Tivoli is the 5th biggest town in the province of Rome. It is located along the eastern border of the Italian capital and has more than fifty thousand inhabitants. It has a beautiful historical center, but is mostly famous for the Villa Gregoriana, Villa Adriana (Hadrian’s Villa) and especially the magnificent Villa d’Este.
Tourist Information Tivoli
There is a tourist information office (Punto Informativo Turistico) right in the center of town. It can be found in the Piazzale Nazione Unite (almost in front of the bus stop, for visitors arriving from Rome). It is open from 10 AM till 1 PM and from 4 PM till 6 PM (closed on Mondays). Free maps, including an itinerary along the most interesting tourist sites, are available here (Tel. +39 0774313536).
What to see in Tivoli
Villas
The main tourist attractions of Tivoli are the three famous villas, Villa d’Este, Villa Adriana and Villa Gregoriana.
The gardens of the Villa d’Este are decorated with over five hundred fountains. The interior of the villa itself, which can also (partly) be visited, was frescoed by Livio Agresti.
The Villa Adriana is located outside the center. It used to be the residence of the Roman emperor Hadrian. The emperor placed copies of monuments he had seen while traveling his empire all over its grounds.
The grounds of the enormous Villa Gregoriana are dotted with statues and other architectural elements. The villa is mainly known, however, because of its picturesque waterfalls.
Roman and medieval points of interest
There are several Roman temples and near the medieval castle Rocca Pia one can see the ruins of an amphitheater.
The round Temple of Vesta (1st century BC) towers over the Villa Gregoriana. Its location and elegance make this temple one of the most painted and photographed monuments of Tivoli.
Churches
The most important church of Tivoli is its Cathedral, dedicated to San Lorenzo Martire. The rather modern looking facade hides a 13th century “Deposition”, a 12th century “Triptych of the Redeemer” and other works by Bartolomeo da Siena and by (the workshop of) Cola dell’Amatrice.
The oft reconstructed Church of Santa Maria Maggiore was originally built in the 5th century. It is located right next to the Villa d’Este and contains numerous art works.
In the presbytery of the church of San Giovanni Evangelista you can frescoes by Antoniazzo Romano, painted in 1475.
The 12th century Church of San Silvestro still has some well-preserved original frescoes in its apse.
The church of San Michele Arcangelo is located in one of the most picturesque squares of Tivoli, Piazza Palatina. The church is deconsecrated and is currently only used as a venue for exhibitions.
Historical buildings
The so-called Casa Gotica is one of the most striking buildings in the entire city.
The Palazzo del Seminario takes up an entire block in the medieval part of town.
Fountains
The Fountain of the Two Lions is located in an alcove of a building at the end of the Via del Trevio. The name is a bit strange, since it is actually decorated with three lions.
Shopping in Tivoli
The main shopping street of Tivoli is the Via del Trevio, which, like most of its side streets is accessible for pedestrians only. It connects the Piazza Santa Croce to the Piazza del Plebiscito. Other pedestrian streets are the Via Colsereno and (part of) the Via dell’Inversata.
A brief history of Tivoli
Tivoli is located around 30 kilometers from the capital, at the northern end of the Monti Tiburtini. The river Aniene runs through the city.
What used to be called Tibur was one of the main components of the Latin League. This consisted of a group of Latin cities that had formed an alliance against enemies like the Etruscans.
Once conquered by the Romans, it became a sort of holiday spot for the wealthy. The reasons were twofold. Firstly, the natural beauty of the area, with the Aniene waterfalls, and secondly, its healthy climate.
Tivoli’s fame also rests on its being the source of the white marble known as travertino, which was used for many of Rome’s most important monuments.
During the Republican period, Jews expelled from Rome, opened granaries around what is now the Vicolo dei Granai.
In the early middle ages, it was the seat of the Byzantine duchy and later the main papal possession in the area. Frederik I Barbarossa conquered Tivoli in 1155.
Tivoli became part of the city of Rome in 1259.
In 1428, Tivoli was struck by an epidemic of the Plague. A good part of the population was killed. Hereafter, many Jewish people moved to the city and became the main commercial power inside the city.
In 1555, the Vicolo dei Granai practically became the Jewish ghetto of Tivoli. Jews living here were not allowed to leave the street at night, a situation that did not change until 1847.
During the Renaissance, cardinals and other wealthy people started building prestigious palaces again. The most famous is the sumptuous Villa d’Este, with its fountain-filled gardens.
In 1527 the city was plundered by the Landsknechts (German mercenary soldiers).
How to get to Tivoli
Public transportation
There are trains from Rome to Tivoli. Most of these do not leave from the main railway station Termini, however, but from Tiburtina (metro line B) and the railway station in Tivoli itself is also not located in the center of the city. It is therefore recommended to take metro line B to the Ponte Mammolo stop and then a bus (Cotral). This bus stops right in the center of town. The 2,20 Euro ticket can be bought from the Cotral ticket office or from the bar/tobacco shop in Ponte Mammolo station. The ride takes approximately 30 minutes. On the way you will pass some of the quarries where the marble of many of Rome‘s monuments was won.
Driving Directions
From the Grande Raccordo Anulare (the ringroad around Rome) you follow the E80. This is a tollroad. The Via Tiburtina (SR5) starts near Termini and is slower, but free.
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