Villa Gregoriana Park

Grande cascade, Villa Gregoriana

The Villa Gregoriana is a park located in Tivoli, at the foot of the historic town and the ancient acropolis, still dominated by the remains of two temples. This site is composed of woodland, with paths leading to the caves of Neptune and the Sirens, to gorges and waterfalls, including the majestic Great Waterfall fed by the Aniene River.

Overview

Villa Gregoriana was developed in 1835 by Pope Gregory XVI in order to restore the riverbed that had been damaged by a flood in 1826.
Since Antiquity, the river had already formed a curve around the acropolis before plunging into the plain via a waterfall. Today, two waterfalls remain.
This place has always held strategic importance, dating back to the Bronze Age, as a passage on the transhumance route from the Abruzzi that connected the Aniene Valley to the Tiber plain, which later became the Via Valeria under the Romans. The latter carried out significant hydraulic works there.

The park fell into ruin at the end of the 20th century, even turning into a rubbish dump, before undergoing a full rehabilitation and reopening to the public in 2005.

What to See at Villa Gregoriana

• Great Waterfall (Grande Cascata): a beautiful waterfall about 120 m high, formed by the diverted waters of the Aniene.
• Valley of Hell (Valle dell’Inferno): a small, wild gorge framed by caves and dense vegetation.
• Caves of Neptune and the Sirens: caverns naturally carved by water.
• Tunnel of Mount Catillo (Traforo Gregoriano): a gallery excavated to channel the waters of the Aniene.
• Gregorian Bridge: an elegant travertine arch bridge built between 1834-1835 and reconstructed in the 20th century.
• Ruins of the villa of Manlius Vopiscus: remains of a Roman villa.
• Temple of Sibyl and Temple of Vesta: temple ruins located at the top of the acropolis, offering a beautiful view of the park.
• Landscaped paths offering picturesque walks designed in the style of 19th-century romantic gardens.
• Natural and hydraulic relief features, including several waterfalls, caves, and canals.

Informations

Map and address

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