Visit Hadrian's Villa (Villa Adriana)

Hadrians Villa

This article explores one of Itlay’s most unique historical Sites: Villa Adriana

Hadrian's Villa (Villa Adriana) in Tivoli bears witness to the grandeur of the Roman Empire. It is one of the best kept and most visited archaeological sites in Italy

A mere 2 miles west of Tivoli, this site is set on almost 300 acres of Italys lush hillside is Villa Adriana — otherwise known as ‘Hadrians Villa’.

Free admission on the first Sunday of the month

Villa Adriana was built between 126 and 134 AD. This most imposing and complex of the Roman villas, Hadrians Villa consisted of  an Imperial Palace, libraries, theaters, swimming pools, underground passages, a sports stadium, staff quarters, seaside resorts, and amazing gardens with many wonderful works of art. Also on the property were caves, animal parks, fountains, fishing ponds and waterfalls. The emperor Hadrian was known to be the most traveled of the Roman emperors. His travels served as inspiration for the opulent detail and design of his villa. This is why it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

Located on an area larger than the entire city of Pompeii the villas impressive layout and buildings are considered masterpieces of architecture unrivaled until the Baroque architecture of the 1600s by Borromini, who used  Hadrians villa as his inspiration.

There were over 30 monumental scenic buildings surrounded by lovely gardens lavishly decorated with fountains, statues,  water basins and waterworks. Villa Adriana is one of the richest and largest complexes in Roman history.
The emperor Hadrian wanted to build his villa according to the standards of the Hellenistic court culture.

It was also his intention to far surpass Nero’s Domus. The natural landscape of the surrounding mountains serves as the perfect backdrop for this beautiful creation.
Created in the classicist architectural style , combining architectural elements of the Greek, Roman and Egyptian cultural designs, the exceptional Villa Adriana complex offers plenty to see and do. This fantastic historical location is definitely worth visiting.

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