Lazio
The Lazio region in central Italy is beautifully situated between the Thyrrenean Sea in the west and the high mountains of Abruzzo in the east. Lazio consists of the provinces of Rome, Viterbo, Pieti, Frosinone and Latina. The smallest state in the world is in the middle of Lazio: Vatican City.
The history of Lazio is closely linked to the history of the Roman Empire. The numerous ancient buildings throughout the region are crucial tourist destinations in addition to the magnificent stretches of coastline and the Abruzzo Nature Park.
Lazio Seeing and Experience
Rome, the Eternal City
For Rome, a week is not enough to look at the many works of art from the Renaissance and ancient buildings. In addition, there is the smallest state in the world, the Vatican with the treasures in the museums and the guests of the Vatican.
Vatican smallest state in the world
St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican are the symbols of the ecclesiastical state. The Lateran Basilica was once the seat of the Popes and is still the seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is also Pope.
Castel Gandolfo in the Roman mountains is home to the Pope’s summer residence.
Tivoli
Northern Rome, Tivoli is located in the Testian hills and is easily accessible by public transport (train or bus).
Villa d ‘Este is located right in the centre of Tivoli in the Valle Gaudente valley. Cardinal Ippolite II d ‘Este built this villa with park in 1550. The narrow valley between vineyards and olive groves and the steep location of the gardens provided an ideal precondition for a festival of water features that run through the gardens in various fountains and fountains.
A bit further, just outside Tivoli at the foot of the elevation, is the Roman Hadrian’s villa on an area of 120 hectares. The Hadrian’s villa functioned like a small town, with complete supply systems, partly underground roads and all the necessary communal facilities that made the life of the beautiful spiritual emperor Hadrian pleasant. Particularly impressive are the spacious thermal baths, the Teatro Marittimo and the Canopo, a pond surrounded by statues for summer festivals.
The Roman Campagna and the Castelli Romani
Why it was the Roman landscape that put the German Romantics in adorns is probably reserved for them. The rolling green hills and the quiet lakes inspired the painters and even today there are still colonies of painters.
The Roman Campagna begins with the Roman Via Appia with its ancient luxurious villas and aqueducts. It includes the Albanian Lake and Lake Bracciano in the Albanese and the Sabine Mountains.
The rich Romans, and also the Pope moved their summer residence to the Roman mountains and built beautiful villas and castles, which also referred to the places as Castelli Romani. These include Castel Gandolfo, Nemi, Genzano, Rocca di Papa, Frascati and Ariccia.
If you love nature and like to hike, we recommend a hike on the Via Francigena trail from Genzano via Nemi to Castel Gandolfo.
Lago di Bolsena
Lake Bolsena in the north of Lazio borders southern Tuscany. Bolsena is very pretty holiday resort.
The medieval castle in the centre, the Rocca Monaldeschi della Cervara, is unmistakable.
A little further south is Montefiascone on Lake Bolsena. The place is best known for the wine with the unusual name Est! Est!! Est!!!
According to one narrative, the servant of the dignitary Johannes Fugger was to write the word “est” (eat here) on the door of the osteria, where the wine was particularly good. In Montefiascone he wrote the word three times in a row at the door, because the wine tasted so excellent to him. So the wine from Montefiaschione still bears the name Est! Est!! Est!!!
Culinary Experiences
Regional dishes
The suckling pig from Ariccia is known throughout Italy. In some shops or supermarkets with freshly prepared dishes (department Gastronomia) you can buy porchetta di Ariccia.
Some ancient Roman dishes have been preserved and so it is quite common for restaurants to offer “Trippa alla Romana” as a specialty, which are the unjustly disreputable cow stomachs (tripe).
Wines
From the Lazio are in particular the Frascati white wine and the Est! Est!! Est!!! White wine from Montefiascone is recommended.