The old villa ruins of Tivoli

Last Updated on April 14, 2020

Hadrian’s Villa, Tivoli, Italy

Earlier this week I wrote about Villa d’Este in the Italian city of Tivoli. Well, today I want to tell you about another villa in the city. A very different one.

Like Villa d’Este, this one is a masterpiece, a World Heritage Site, and an easy day trip from Rome. But they don’t look the same at all. This one is in ruins.

I’m talking about Hadrian’s Villa, on the outskirts of Tivoli. It was here that the great Roman Emperor Hadrian built his retreat from the bustle of Roman life in the second century.

He built it so well that he decided he liked it more than his official residence and ruled the empire from here in his later years.

The compound is huge, stretching out for at least one square kilometre. Pools, libraries, temples, palaces… it has it all.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of people could comfortably have lived in this sprawling mini-city that the word ‘villa’ really doesn’t do justice to.

Because of its size, even within this sanctuary, Hadrian built himself a special place of peace and quiet.

A small structure called the Maritime Theatre is a little portico protected by a moat and high walls where the emperor could get away from the busy life of his day-to-day chores.

Hadrian was notoriously well-travelled and the architecture of his villa demonstrates this with influence from Greece and Egypt, as well as traditional Roman styles.

The statues which decorate the grounds show his love of foreign countries as well and pay homage to some of the lands he visited.

Recently archaeologists found a system of tunnels underneath the whole complex – some of them large enough for chariots to pass through. It’s along these tunnels that the servants and slaves would have moved, to stay out of sight of the more noble citizens above them.

Researchers are still exploring these tunnels and believe there are many more to be discovered.

Although the site is in ruins, it’s not too hard to get a sense of how grand it must all have once looked.

Many of the buildings are missing their roofs or walls and a lot of the statues and marble were taken to decorate the nearby Villa d’Este, built many centuries later up the hill in the centre of Tivoli.

Enough still remains to spend an hour or two wandering and exploring. The crowds are relatively thin on the afternoon I visit and, once spread out across the grounds, don’t spoil the experience at all.

Each structure or building deserves careful study on its own yet Hadrian’s Villa is more than the sum of its parts. It is a testament to the great Roman Empire and the power and wealth of its leaders.

Less than an hour from Rome, Hadrian’s Villa is probably the most impressive site you could visit nearby. And combined with Villa d’Este makes the perfect excuse to get out of the capital for the day.

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN TIVOLI

Although you can visit as a day trip from Rome, there’s enough to see to make a lovely overnight stay in Tivoli.

BACKPACKER

There aren’t really any hostels in town, but you’ll find good rates at La Giada.

BUDGET

I think Cristallo Relais is a wonderful little hotel with excellent value for money.

BOUTIQUE

For a rustic villa atmosphere, have a look at the charming Casale Colleoni.

LUXURY

And for an incredible historic hotel, Residenze Gregoriane is a very special experience.

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more info click here. You can see all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites I’ve visited here.