Frascati and “Castelli Romani”
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The expression “Castelli Romani” translates literally “Roman Castles”, name derived from the villages arisen Albano Lake around the Popes’ villas and the rich palaces of the noble families who chose these sites for their summer residences, but in fact the name refers to a collection of wine-producing hill-towns in the south-east of Rome. These small towns and villages – Castel Gandolfo, Frascati, Grottaferrata, Rocca di Papa, Marino, Albano, Ariccia, Nemi among the others - scattered over the wooded slopes of the Alban Hills (Colli Albani), a landscape created by long-ago volcanic activity.
The circular craters of Lake Nemi and Lake Albano, testament to the area's geological past, are among the most attractive natural features of Lazio. The Cathedral
Piazza S. Pietro, Frascati “Teatro delle Acque”, Frascati
Home to successful civilisations easily reached by a panoramic Giacomo della Porta that before the Romans began route. Frascati’s development dominates the valley towards throwing their weight about, as a town was influenced by the Rome with its enchanting the Alban Hills became a rural interest taken by various Popes gardens, sculptures and water retreat for the city's wealthy and by the Roman Curia, as fountains. Nearby, Villa residents. Nowadays the tiny well as by the noble families. Torlonia with its beautiful towns are still dominated by the Here gardens surrounding the water great villas and palaces built by Villa Falconieri, Frascati, theatre, Teatro delle Acque, the area's richest and most Famous paintings offers impressive sights to the powerful families. Some were visitors. Villa Mondragone, destroyed in the Second World Villa Grazioli, Villa Parisi and War, when the area was heavily Villa Falconieri are other bombed. Others have been breathtaking villas dominating converted into hotels or municipal offices, or taken over the town. Also important by wealthy companies and religious and historic buildings religious organisations. enrich Frascati: The Cathedral, designed by Gerolamo Fontana, The “Castelli Romani” are the Church of the Gesù, today a popular destination for designed by Giovanni De Romans looking for fresh air, important buildings, churches good food and drink and a Rosis, and the Church of Santa pleasant day out. and villas were built. The villas Maria in Vivario with the are one of Frascati’s most Medieval bell-tower; the Frascati, located 20 kilometres distinctive elements, but also Bishop’s Palace with its chapel (12 miles) south-east of Rome, the wonderful fountains deserve illustrating the Theological is a charming town on the a mention. Virtues and the Old Rocca, Alban Hills, close to the ancient city of Tusculum, whose Villa Aldobrandini is a witness of a glorious past. archeological remains can be magnificent palace designed by ENEA RESEARCH CENTRE
But Frascati is also closely associated with Science, being the location of several Scientific Laboratories (ENEA Research Centre, ESA- European Space Agency, CNR- National Research Council and INFN- National Institute of Nuclear Physics) and a famous European City of Science where the Science Week is held every year in September.
History, culture, art, science and, of course, Mediterranean products: Frascati is home of a special wine production to taste in its famous “fraschette” (picturesque Osteria dell’Olmo, cellars) and of high quality Frascati extravirgin olive oil.