Grottaferrata, known as “The Garden City”, for its naturalistic and archaeological beauties, lies at the gates of Rome on the slopes of the Colli Albani.
The Abbey of San Nilo
In Roman times, this territory was occupied by elegant estates, such as the Villa of Marco Tullio Cicerone, on whose site rises today’s splendid Byzantine Abbey of San Nilo, founded by the Basilian monk in 1004.
The Abbey of San Nilo
The Monastery became an important centre of culture, thanks to the scriptores, who followed the example of San Nilo, an expert amanuensis, and copied the manuscripts now partly preserved in the library. After the invasion of Frederick Barbarossa‘s troops in 1163, the monks, who had taken refuge in Subiaco, returned to the Monastery just before the destruction of the ancient city of Tusculum and, in 1230, brought the icon of “The Holy Mother of God” back to the Monastery.
A glimpse of San Nilo Monastery in Grottaferrata
Among the numerous Greek monasteries built throughout Europe between the sixth and the thirteenth centuries, the Abbey of San Nilo is the only one still standing. Here, in communion with the Roman Church, Eastern rites still take place, and evocative sung masses are celebrated, a fascinating mixture of Christian, Greek Orthodox and Byzantine traditions.
The unmissable “Fiera Nazionale dell’Artigianato e dell’Enogastronomia” has been taking place at the end of March for over four hundred years in front of the thousand-year-old Abbey of San Nilo. It sees the participation of over two hundred exhibitors, promoting the food and wine excellences of the Made in Italy.
Villa Grazioli in Grottaferrata – www.retedimorestorichelazio.it
Grottaferrata boasts one of the twelve sixteenth-century Tusculan Villas, Villa Grazioli, which hosts a gorgeous Italian garden. Commissioned by Cardinal Antonio Carafa, it was built in 1580 on the Tusculum Hills. The Villa is Included in the List of the Historic Residences in Lazio.
Villa Grazioli, interior detail – www.retedimorestorichelazio.it
It houses extraordinary works by masters from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, mainly created by Agostino Ciampelli on demand of the subsequent owner, Cardinal Ottavio Acquaviva d’Aragona. In 1600, Villa Grazioli passed under Prince Michele Peretti, who commissioned the decoration of the “Stanza dell’Eliseo” on the main floor to a painter of the Carracci school, probably Antonio Carracci himself.
At the end of 1600, the Villa was acquired by the Odescalchi Family, who added a second floor, and, in 1843, it was purchased by Duke Pio Grazioli, who projected today’s structure.
Villa Cavalletti – www.retedimorestorichelazio.it
Another jewel of Grottaferrata is Villa Cavalletti, also included in the List of the Historic Residences in Lazio. Built in the second half of the sixteenth century, it belonged at first to Cardinal Bartolomeo Cesi, and then to the Cavalletti Family until the twentieth century.
Villa Cavalletti, portico – www.retedimorestorichelazio.it
At the beginning it was just a small casino, then modified several times over the centuries, with the addition of more floors, a monumental staircase and the eighteenth-century portal, flanked by columns with Ionic capitals. Today the complex consists of the historic Villa, or Villino Rosso, the park, and other various buildings.
Also worth a visit are the interesting Catacombs ad Decimun.
The typical specialities of Grottaferrata are the delicious wine donuts and the tasty egg soup.