Explore Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli: Day Trip from Rome
From Rome we took a trip down the lanes of time and went as far back as 125AD to Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli. This was our 19th day of our road trip through Italy, Europe. The ancient town of Tivoli figured in our itinerary for the famed Hadrian’s Villa (also known as Villa Adriana) and Villa d’Este that are the UNESCO sites.
The mammoth remains of Hadrian’s villa left us stupefied initially. Stupefied because, we landed here without much planning and it took us some time to focus and set ourselves on the right track so that we got to see the whole site.
As the glory of the great Roman Empire declined in 4th century the villa was abandoned. With time and neglect and years of disuse the villa lost its grandeur. It is said partial cause of ruin was because Constantine the Great and his successors took away valuable statues and marble for decorating their own villas.
Then for several centuries the villa remained forgotten. Hadrian’s villa was rediscovered in the fifteenth century when Pope Pius II began excavations there. A century later, this was acquired by the Bulgarini family, who destroyed many of the structures to make way for an olive grove.
Nevertheless what we got to see was no less impressive. It stands strong and mighty as a proof of grandeur of the ancient Roman Empire!
Emperor’s Hadrian’s private reading island.
Highlights of Hadrian’s Villa
The various sections of this Villa is scattered across eighteen sq. km. It was like racing against time, moving around these timeless monuments, some of them yet to be excavated completely.
Some of the impressive sights include an Imperial palace, libraries, theatres, baths, and extensive gardens dotted with amazing works of stone art. All these works were inspired by many of the art works and sites Emperor Hadrian had seen during his travels.
Imperial Palace – This palace includes a number of large, well decorated public and private spaces, an audience hall, a library, and several bedrooms and bathrooms.
Canopus – Most famous sight here, a long pool lined with statues and surrounded by gardens and porticoes. This was designed to evoke the Egyptian city of Canopus.
Pecile – This space is a large, open-air courtyard surrounded by a colonnade. Probably it was used for dining and other social gatherings.
Serapeum – It is a temple complex dedicated to their God Serapis. The complex includes a large courtyard, a colonnaded portico, and a number of small temples and shrines.
Maritime Theater – This ancient theatre has an elaborate garden with artificial lake, a lighthouse, and a variety of statues and other decorations.
What makes Hadrian’s Villa special?
Hadrian’s Villa was built by one of the most powerful and influential Roman Emperors, Hadrian. The villa offers a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the Roman elite and the way they spent their leisure time.
Its huge size, credited to be the largest ancient Roman villas ever built, and complexity makes the villa a unique one! The villa covers an area of around 120 hectares. The different complex structures within Hadrian Villa site, such as the Canopus, the Maritime Theater, the Serapeum, the Pecile, and the Imperial Palace, each with unique features and decorations are worth seeing despite being several centuries old.
The decorated marbles and frescoes of the structures inside, well preserved even today, stand as mute proof that Hadrian’s Villa is one of the best examples of Roman decorative art and architecture.
Some of the features of Hadrian’s villa, such as underground heating systems and cisterns for collecting and storing water are considered engineering marvels of their time.
What we get to see today are the reconstructed ancient structures. It gives a rough idea and understanding of how the villa would have looked in its heyday.
Heliocaminus Baths in Hadrian’s Villa
This circular room is believed to be hot room of the bath complex. It was designed in such a way that it was heated by sunbeams. The room was roofed by a coffered dome with a central oculus, the walls around had large windows.
Hadrian’s Villa Tivoli near Rome Italy
Next you can visit Maritime Theater and Building with Fish Pond, both close to this Bathing Complex.
Confluence of Ancient Architecture Styles
When we travel we collect souvenirs from the places we visited and decorate our houses with them. But Hadrian, being an emperor with riches, decorated his villa with different architectural styles.
The architecture styles in Hadrian’s villa have influence of Roman, Greek and Egyptian architecture.
Remains of the halls with fluted pillars.
Flooring here was par excellence with stunning mosaics, most of them can be seen in Berlin Artes Museum.
Parts of Villa were named after great historic cities, so you will find Lyceum, Academia, Prytaneum, Canopus, Poecile and Tempe. The colonnade of the Canopus was supported by caryatids which resemble those of the Erechtheion on the Acropolis of Athens.
Why Hadrian’s Villa got forgotten?
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Hadrian’s Villa fell into disuse and was gradually abandoned. Though it remained intact for several centuries because of its quality of construction, due to disuse and negligence it succumbed to the ravages of time.
Add to that plundering and looting of the marble and other precious materials for use in other buildings over the centuries led to its downfall. The site was gradually overgrown with vegetation and soon it lay forgotten.
Again, during the Middle Ages, the site was used as a quarry for building materials and the villa was turned into a fortified farmhouse.
It was only in the 19th century that the site was rediscovered and excavated by archaeologists.
Swimming Pool at Ruins of Hadrian’s Villa
And what a coincidence: Today, 24th Jan, is Hadrian’s Birthday! He was born in 76AD.
Tickets to Hadrian’s villa
Entrance fee for Hadrian’s Villa for adults is 10 Euros, reduced tickets cost 2 Euros. Children under 18 are free to enter.
How much time is needed to tour Hadrian’s villa?
You will need a full day to see the site Hadrian’s Villa well. The area size almost similar to Pompeii site if you have been there. Read my: Visit to Pompeii Ruins.
Is a guide required to tour Hadrian’s Villa?
Take a guided tour which will be informative. But the downside is it will take more time than the self guided one. We had the audio guide and lonely planet book on Tivoli in hand.
What to see in Tivoli Italy
Tivoli, Italy is a town located 30 km north-east of Rome. A small town when compared to Rome but significantly beautiful and well known for its natural beauty, rich history, and cultural attractions. Here are few more tourist attractions in Tivoli other than Hadrian’s Villa.
Villa d’Este – A 16th century Renaissance villa and garden built for Cardinal Ippolito d’Este. The villa is famous as an important example of Italian garden design. Noteworthy in the garden are its ornate fountains, frescoes, and grottoes.
Anfiteatro Romano – Worth visiting if you are fond of ancient Roman amphitheatres. This one dates back to the 1st century AD, has a capacity to seat around 6,000 people and is still well-preserved. It is used to conduct events and shows.
Parco Villa Gregoriana – A beautiful park with great hiking and nature walk opportunities. The natural waterfalls and some beautiful views of the surrounding hills will surely make you lose track of time.
Ponte Gregoriano – A beautiful 13th century, medieval bridge that spans the Aniene River. It is famed for its arched design and the view it offers of the river and the surrounding landscape.
Tempio di Vesta – A small, circular temple that was dedicated to the Roman goddess Vesta. The location is mind blowing, on a hilltop overlooking the town of Tivoli – Worth a visit for the great views of the surrounding countryside.
Tivoli’s old town – Like other European olad towns, Tivoli too has a maze of narrow streets and alleys lined with little shops, restaurants, and cafes. If you have time enough it would be definitely worth wandering around aimlessly and yet get a sense of the town’s history and culture.
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I think you were meant to visit the place 🙂 Hadrian wanted you there on his birthday! 🙂 The photos are amazing by the way! I hope to visit and take similar pictures. What camera are you using?
Ha ha Thank you! 🙂
The camera is Canon EOS 450D.
These are so lovely! The first is my favorite one, as also the last one. Lucky you!
Really very beautiful! Amazing shots. The ruins seem to whisper their long stories.
Amazing views of Hadrian's Villa, beautiful shots Indrani!
Beautiful photographs. The ruined dome must have been too big. Thanks.
wonderful shots indeed.
Heard about Hadrian's wall, Good to hear about his villa too. Beautifully captured, Spread over 18 Sq Kms ? That must be really very big. Loved it
I didn't visit Hadrian's villa but, seeing the pictures, reminds me of all the special places I visited in Greece and Italy. I feel so fortunate to have been able to travel to these place and to other parts of the world. I would always be amazed to find pieces of antiquity in the midst of modern buildings, treasures that have endured.
Amazing place!
मनमोहक और दुर्लभ छवियों और रोचक आलेख के माध्यम से "Tivoli – Hadrian's Villa" की सैर कराने के लिए धन्यवाद्
The emperor Hadrian left many traces all over Europe: I saw the Hadrian Wall in Great Britain to prevent the Scots from attacking England, in Greece I saw a statue dedicated to him in Athens. Yet I know so little of him in comparison with Julius Caesar,Augustus, Tiberius,Claudius , Caligula, Nero… …The last two were very notorius for their cruelty. My knowledge of Roman history is very rusty, but thanks for brushing it up!
Lovely. I hope you have more shots of Tivoli to share.
Wonderful old ruins, how special it must of been way back then.
Marvellous place!
What a fascinating group of shots. That must have been a great experience to visit there.
Wow! They had such creativity – a private reading island?? I'm amazed!
A private island for reading sounds very exclusive, indeed! These crumbling walls still hold an aura of grandeur and mystery.
lots of history around there.
What a gorgeous place. You can see that it was impressive and grand and just lovely…
Wonderful shots!
Wonderful shots. In the past it would have been fabulous palace.
I didn't realize that the villa was so huge. Thanks for the wonderful photos. I really enjoy learning about historical places like this.
Absolutely wonderful, Indrani. I've learned more about Hadrian today than I've ever studied about him in my life. I think I'd like my own reading island, too.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Another wonderful post about a fascinating, historical place! And as always your photos are superb! I always look forward to and am never disappointed by your travels throughout your world! Thanks, Indrani! Have a wonderful day!
Sylvia
Very Good pictures and post. Hope I will visit such places some time in my lifetime..! Thanks for sharing such wonderful photos.!
That must have been quite the villa in it's day. the remains are so photogenic. I very much like the reflections in the fifth shot. Superb!
Very nice Indrani…..as always.
greetings, Joop
Amazing how lavishly the emperors lived in the old days. It's wonderful to visit ruins and make up your own story as to what the remaining walls are telling you.
Have a lovely week.