The Tivoli Gardens near Rome, Monster Parks & More

How very strange it is to walk through these gardens and retrace the footsteps of Roman emperors, popes, and other giants of centuries past.

The beauty of today is much as it must have been in those times. Each garden and each villa is unique, and although I have wandered through them on many occasions, I have dreamed of sharing the emotion and beauty through words or pictures.

I have never been up to the task. Thank goodness then for one of our friends, on our Facebook page, by the name of Alberto Franceschini. 

Alberto has succeeded where I have failed and captures the light, the atmosphere, and the emotion of the Tivoli Gardens wonderfully. He also shared a few thoughts on the gardens and the villas; this is what Alberto has to say:

"They are very different:

Villa Adriana (Hadrian's Villa) was built by Emperor Hadrian. It's a huge town, and I like it for the glory of ancient Rome, which is so evident in all the archeological monuments.

Villa d'Este is a fine example of Renaissance architecture and the Italian Renaissance garden.

Villa Gregoriana has a great waterfall (the second best in all of Italy), and it's an example of the romantic garden style, more naturalistic than artistic.

All three are beautiful and unique for different things."

Villa Gregoriana

Ready for a taste of la dolce vita? Let’s talk about Villa Gregoriana in Tivoli—a place where nature and ancient history throw a fabulous party!

This isn’t your average garden. Back in the 1830s, Pope Gregory XVI had a wild idea: taming the raging Aniene River. Imagine the ambition! They rerouted the river, creating that heart-stopping waterfall you see plunging through the gorge. It was pure genius—saving the town from floods and creating a jaw-dropping masterpiece all at once.

Today, you can wander through its lush, green heart. You’ll find secret grottoes, stunning overlooks, and the romantic ruins of Roman temples peeking through the leaves. Every turn is a postcard view—a perfect mix of wild nature and timeless history. It’s an adventure for the soul!

Trust me, this hidden gem is a must-see. Go and feel the magic for yourself!

Villa Adriana/Hadrian's Villa

Leave your guidebook behind and step into the epic backyard of an emperor! Hadrian wasn't just any ruler; he was a traveler, an art lover, a true visionary. And his villa—Villa Adriana near Tivoli—was his life’s work, his passion project.

We’re talking a massive playground of palaces, steaming baths, and beautiful gardens. He collected ideas from all over his empire—Greece, Egypt—and brought them right here to create the greatest Roman villa ever built. For centuries, no one could top it! Even Renaissance masters like Michelangelo came here to steal ideas.

As you wander, you can feel his presence. Don’t miss the dreamy Canopus—a shimmering pool lined with statues that’ll make your jaw drop. Or the magical Maritime Theatre, his private island retreat right in the middle of the villa. It’s pure poetry in stone.

Come see it. Walk where he walked, and let your imagination run wild in this ancient paradise. You won’t believe your eyes!

Villa D'Este

Forget everything you know about gardens. Cardinal Ippolito d’Este didn’t just plant flowers—he commanded water to dance. In the 1500s, he turned this hillside into a living, breathing opera. It was his grand statement to the world, and oh, does it still speak.

Inside the villa, every ceiling is a frescoed sky, every wall tells a story of gods and heroes. You can feel the Cardinal’s ambition in the air. But step outside… that’s when the magic happens.

This is where water becomes music. Hundreds of fountains sing their own songs. There’s the thundering Fountain of Neptune, so powerful you feel it in your chest. And the Hundred Fountains—a long, mossy lane where water trickles from a hundred stone mouths, a sound so peaceful it washes all your worries away.

You’ll wander past grottoes cool as a secret, terraces with views that steal your breath, and statues that watch you with ancient eyes. Every corner is a new discovery, a new reason to stand in awe.

More from Alberto...

Since we added the photos of the Tivoli Gardens, Alberto has sent us more pictures of three wonderful and not-well-known places in the area of Tuscia (north Latium/Lazio). 

Giardino di Bomarzo - "The Park of Monsters"  

Dating back to the 16th century, this "Park of Wonders" is like nowhere else on earth. It was designed by Pirro Ligorio (the architect who completed Saint Peter's Cathedral on the death of Michelangelo).  You can read more about its mysteries here.

Villa Lante in the Village of Bagnaia

Villa Lante has one of the best gardens in Europe, a Mannerist garden full of delightful discoveries and unexpected views. The villa and village are to be found near Viterbo, in central Italy.

Palazzo Farnese/Villa Caprarola,

Also known as Villa Caprarola, which is the town 50 km from Rome where it is found. Palazzo Farnese is a splendid example of Mannerist and Renaissance architecture, with rooms, corridors, and stairways completely frescoed. The name Villa Caprarola is now most commonly used to avoid any confusion with Palazzo Farnese and the Villa Farnesina in Rome. 

Abbey of San Galgano (Siena)

In the enchanting Tuscan countryside near Siena, one of Italy's loveliest towns, you will find the Abbey of San Galgano, a remarkable medieval Cistercian monastery from the 13th century. Its stunning roofless ruins create a dramatic and awe-inspiring atmosphere. Don’t miss the nearby Chapel of Montesiepi, which houses the legendary Sword in the Stone.