Villa Gregoriana

Discover the beauty of Villa Gregoriana in Tivoli, Italy. Explore picturesque landscapes, enchanting waterfalls, and ancient ruins. Make a hasslefree itniraary with your free cancellation tickets

Recommended duration

2 hours

Pro tips to help you make a pick

With your basic entry ticket, spend as much time as you'd like in this urban oasis as you take in ancient caves, dwellings and of course, the highlight, the stunning waterfall.

While not strictly part of Villa Gregoriana, don't forget to visit the temples of Vesta and Sybil that are part of the Acropolis above. These two ancient temples occupy the rocky promontory, gazing down on the waterfall of the attraction.

Wear comfortable walking shoes as the terrain is uneven and has a lot of stairs.

This site is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility issues.

While dogs are allowed on site, they must be leashed at all times.

About Villa Gregoriana

Built in the 1830s by Pope Gregory XVI to control flooding from the Aniene River, Villa Gregoriana in Tivoli is a park unlike any other. It's a beautiful blend of nature and history, with its landscape containing remnants of ancient villas, caves and dense vegetation. By creating the Monte Castillo tunnel, the Aniene was redirected from Tivoli town to emerge as a gorgeous waterfall that drops 130 meters.

Address

Via Quintilio Varo, 1, 00019 Tivoli RM, Italy

Year opened

2005

Founded by

Pope Gregory XVI

Expected wait time - Standard

0-30 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

Unesco status

2006

Villa Gregoriana gets its name from the remains of an ancient dwelling called Manlius Vopiscus, whose remnants are still on site. The Aniene, having passed through it, has reduced several of its rooms to grottoes.

The architect of Villa Gregoriana was actually chosen from a competition to decide who would rise to the challenge of solving the problem of River Aniene's flooding. The winner, Clemente Folchi, suggested diverting the river bed and bypassing it through tunnels.

In the 20th century, Villa Gregoriana was damaged due to bombing from the World Wars, and it lay largely forgotten.

When the Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI), an Italian municipal corporation undertook the task of cleaning up the Villa in 2002, they had to clean out over 5 tons of trash that had collected over the decades. Found among the rubbish pile were TVs and washing machines.

Why visit Villa Gregoriana?

Unique landscape

Villa Gregoriana doesn't neatly fit into a category: It is neither entirely a forest, nor a mere waterfall, nor an ecological park. With all these features along with caves and crumbling ancient villas, it is a paragon of genius landscaping. Because of its intriguing appearance, it invites people from all over to partake and delight in its beauty.

Artful engineering

The waterfalls and caves within the park aren't entirely natural. They were cleverly designed and constructed by 19th-century engineers to control the flow of the Aniene River. Visiting Villa Gregoriana gives you a chance to admire the hydraulic ingenuity behind its beauty.

Escape the crowds

Compared to the bustling tourist crowds of nearby Villa d'Este, Villa Gregoriana offers a more peaceful and serene experience.

Easy day trip destination

Situated just about 30 km from Rome, Villa Gregoriana makes for a great day trip destination if you're holidaying in Rome. In under an hour, you can visit this urban oasis and relax in a soothing atmosphere