Pope's Palace, Castel Gandolfo & Gardens by Train from Rome
We’ll meet you at Termini station in the morning to make sure you get on the right train. As Rome recedes behind us, one of our friendly, energetic tour leaders will give you a brief introduction to your destination: the jewel in the crown of the Castelli Romani region, the town of Castel Gandolfo, which sits overlooking the crater lake of an extinct volcano. For 400 years the breezy little town hosted the Popes during the hot Roman summer and today we are going to see both the gardens and the Apostolic Palace that they built here.
Our first stop is the Barberini Garden, which you’ll explore on an electric train with an audio guide. Built on the remains of Emperor Domitian’s palace, the gardens are a unique mix of Roman ruins and carefully cultivated flora; verdant terraces filled with Cedars, Cypress, and Holm Oaks mixed with geometric flower beds that erupt into bloom in the spring and summer. Although these gardens, which were a favorite of John Paul II, have been cultivated since the 17th century, they have only been opened to the public in the last few years making this an experience some 400 years in the making.
After the gardens, we’ll take you directly the Apostolic Palace, which was the summer home of the Popes before the pontificate of Pope Francis. Walking through its corridors with an official Vatican audio guide, you’ll take in beautiful architecture by Carlo Maderno, portraits of past Popes, and real examples of some of their most vibrant ceremonial garb. Along the way, you’ll gain a greater understanding of the ways that the papacy has changed over the centuries.
After you’ve seen the best of the Apostolic Palace, we’ll orient you in the town of Castel Gandolfo then give you some free time to get lunch and do a little self-guided sightseeing. If you have any questions about what to see or where to eat, don’t hesitate to ask - that’s why we’re here.
Finally, we’ll meet back up and hop on the train back to Rome, where we’ll leave you at Roma Termini Station.
Sites Visited:
Castel Gandolfo Hill Town
Papal Palace
Barberini Garden
