Another stop on a tour of Park of the Castelli Romani is Castel Gandolfo. This village overlooking Lake Albano has been the holiday destination of popes, cardinals and Roman Curia for centuries. Originally the residence of the Savelli Family, Urban VII transformed it into a Papal Palace in 1623. It also houses the most important astronomical observatory, known as "the Vatican Observatory." The surrounding countryside also boasts numerous valuable monuments: the Church of St. Thomas of Villanova, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini; the 16th-Century Roman gate; the majestic Villa Clodius, built in the Republican era; the Baths of Diana, created under Domitian's rule. Equally-beautiful and intriguing are the remains of the ancient villas of Castel Gandolfo, the Albanum Domitiani (the country house of the emperor Domitian), and Villa Barberini and Villa Cybo, connected by a bridge and a loggia leading to the papal palace. Villages Like Castel Gandolfo Castel Gandolfo

Also on the Via Appia is Ariccia, artistic treasure of the Castelli Romani. On view here is one of the finest architectural examples of the European Baroque, a work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Carlo Fontana: The monumental complex of Piazza di Corte. The complex includes Chigi Palace, with its rich halls, stucco decorations and precious antiques, along with the ornaments of the walls in original leather from Cordoba, the large park surrounding it, and the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. Two other religious complexes to see are the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Galloro and the deconsecrated Church of San Nicola di Bari. Foodies will appreciate this area's fraschette, a type of restaurant selling the delicious Ariccia pork (porchetta). After traversing the famous bridge of Ariccia, a monumental viaduct 197 feet high; built by Pope Pius IX, after two kilometres it leads to Albano Laziale.

In the historical centre, the castle stands out, the symbol of the town with its original cylindrical tower and the baronial palace, inhabited by the Briaschi and Ruspoli families. The Historical Archaeological Museum of Roman Ships is dedicated to the ships. Unfortunately, almost nothing remains of the two original ships that belonged to Caligula and were recovered from the waters of the lake between 1929 and 1931. However, the place is also worth a visit for the architecturally interesting building alone, with a panoramic terrace where you can enjoy the view of the lake. Around the settlement, archaeological excavations have uncovered a complex of valuable buildings (a villa with decorated rooms, a terrace on the lake, baths and access roads) from the late Republican period, which may have been the residence of Caesar.