Excursion to Roman castles

The Roman Castles are the most picturesque and tourist-friendly suburbs of Rome, where both locals and visitors come to relax. They are famous for their local wines, olive oil, truffles, cheese, and cured meats. That’s why a tour of the Roman Castles is often combined with tastings.

The intriguing paradox is that you won’t actually find castles here. However, you will enjoy breathtaking natural beauty and experience the everyday life of real Italians.

A group of small mountain towns surrounds the crater of the dormant, yet active, Latin volcano. The Castles are located east of Rome, and all of them are part of a single natural park. Despite this, each town has its own unique characteristics and atmosphere.

Roman Castles: Tours and Interesting Facts

During a tour of the Roman Castles, you will see many fascinating sights:

• The route to the suburbs follows the ancient Appian Way, flanked by unique old tombs and the first Christian catacombs.
• The Alban Hills are home to volcanic craters now filled with water, forming the beautiful Albano Lakes. The deepest is Lake Albano, which reaches a depth of 170 meters.
• Frascati is a wine town that is a must-visit on any gastronomic tour of the Roman countryside. The most famous local wine is called Frascati. The unique wineries are located in ancient villas dating back to the 15th-16th centuries.
• Castel Gandolfo is the Pope’s summer residence, located on the site of the legendary ancient city of Alba Longa, where the brothers Romulus and Remus were born.
• Ariccia is a small town with intriguing architecture and fantastic cuisine. You must try the local roasted pork – porchetta.
• The Abbey of St. Nilus is the only continuously functioning Byzantine monastery in Italy, founded in the early 11th century in the town of Grottaferrata.
• Nemi is another stop for lovers of gastronomic delights. The town is famous for its strawberries, desserts, and strawberry-based drinks. The berries grow here year-round. According to legend, the town is guarded by the goddess Diana, the goddess of nature and hunting. It was believed that the local lake was her mirror. It’s no coincidence that Emperor Caligula’s villa was located in Nemi.

How to Book a Tour of the Roman Castles?

For a long time, the Roman Castles, which you can now easily tour, were accessible only to emperors and the nobility. They would come here to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, aided by the unique natural surroundings and comfortable climate. Even Roman Popes and their entourages would retreat to these suburbs.

During the Avignon Papacy, the area was taken over by baronial castles. That’s when the name “Roman Castles” appeared, and it has remained ever since. Later, the castles were transformed back into villas and residences.

To book individual or group tours of the Roman Castles in Ukrainian, contact me. My name is Basil Zhouk, and I would be happy to share my knowledge with you and handle all the organizational details!

During a tour of the Roman Castles, you will enjoy fantastic views of the volcanic lakes, learn about the life of small mountain towns, and savor the peace, quiet, and incredible local cuisine, along with the best wines of the region.