Hadrian’s Villa and Villa D’Este in Tivoli – Private Tour from Rome

TIVOLI If you are in Latium, you should visit Tivoli, located on the Monti Tiburtini (Tiburtine Hills).  The city of Tivoli was founded in 1215 B.C. in the province of Rome. The poet Virgil called it Tibur Superbum (Aeneid, Book VII), a name that can still be found in the city’s coat of arms. Tivoli, in addition to being known for its sulphur mineral water springs, used since ancient times, is best-known for its two villas on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites: Hadrian’s Villa (Villa Adriana) and Villa d'Este.Hadrian's Villa was commissioned by Emperor Hadrian as his imperial residence. Access was provided from two roads (Via Tiburtina and Via Prenestina) or by navigating the Aniene River. The emperor wanted to replicate those monuments that had fascinated him on his many travels, especially in Greece: The Pecile, Canopus, Academy and the Lyceum. Our tour starts precisely with these monuments. The Pecile is an enormous garden surrounded by a portico with a central pond and was used for summer and winter strolls. The Canopus (the name of an ancient town connected to Alessandria by a navigable canal) can be reached by crossing a series of thermal buildings. It’s a long basin of water decorated by columns and statues that culminates with a temple covered by a ribbed dome. In line with the valley of the Canopus, the ruins of two thermal establishments are visible: The Large Baths and the Small Baths. The Small Baths had an outdoor frigidarium and round room with a coffered dome and 5 large windows. Decorated with precious stuccoes, these buildings were dedicated to the imperial family and their guests. The Large Baths, which were reserved for the personnel at the villa, had a heating system under the floor and an impressive round room used as a sudatorium. Of interest: A large cross-shaped roof in the main room that is still in perfect balance, despite 1 of the 4 support pillars having collapsed. Certainly, there are many places to visit within the villa, including the Academy, Stadium, Imperial Palace, Hall of Philosophers, Greek theatre and Piazza d’Oro. The latter is a majestic complex that was used on official occasions to receive guests and contemplated a large peristyle enriched with very fine stuccoes.  Lastly, make sure to visit the marvellous Maritime Theatre. It’s a kind of island with an Ionic colonnade surrounded by a canal. Inside is the emperor’s private refuge, which was accessed by a system involving moving jetti.