Frascati: Villas, Wine and Roman History

Frascati is a wine town where culture, villa architecture and the Roman past come together within a compact thematic area. This gives you different ways to experience the city during your stay: You can explore collections and religious buildings, view historic sites on Tuscolo or get to know DOCG wines. Frascati Superiore and Cannellino, both DOCG wines, as well as Frascati DOP are produced here.

Art and History in the City

One cultural focus is the Scuderie Aldobrandini. The Museo tuscolano there displays ten wooden models of the Ville Tuscolane. The archaeological collection of the Scuderie Aldobrandini comprises finds from the Republican and imperial periods through to the Middle Ages. In this way, one building brings you into contact with different periods of history, from Roman antiquity to the Middle Ages.

The religious buildings also lead through different historical layers. At the end of the 16th century, the Cattedrale di San Pietro became the cathedral of Frascati; in this role, it replaced the old S. Maria in Vivario. The Chiesa del Gesù preserves numerous Baroque frescoes, including Sant’Ignazio, San Sebastiano and the Presentation in the Temple. These works were created by the school of Andrea Pozzo. For visits to the Chiesa del Gesù, you should ask about opening hours by telephone on 069420238 and arrange an appointment.

The Ville Tuscolane and Their Gardens

Villa Lancellotti is one of the six Ville Tuscolane in the area of Frascati. Its garden contains a “teatro delle acque” built by Roberto Primi, inspired by the complex in Mondragone. Villa Sora is also one of the six Ville Tuscolane of Frascati and is located on the ancient Roman road now called Via Tuscolana. The piano nobile of Villa Sora contains frescoes with allegorical scenes of the nine Muses, depictions of famous personalities and landscape scenes.

Villa Falconieri, “La Rufina”, was the first villa built in Frascati and was constructed between 1540 and 1550. It was built on the remains of a rectangular Roman villa. Free, scheduled guided tours of Villa Falconieri were offered on Sundays at 10 a.m. and noon in Italian, with reservations required. Villa Aldobrandini is situated at an elevated position and offers a sweeping view over Frascati and towards Rome.

Villa Torlonia is just a few steps from Frascati’s historic center and is located in the present-day municipal park. This means that different historic sites stand alongside one another within the city: villas with gardens and frescoes, an elevated vantage point and a park near the center.

Tuscolo: Archaeology and Trails

The Parco Archeologico e Culturale di Tuscolo can be reached via signposted paths that begin near Frascati. The visitor route runs mainly through the monumental area of the forum and the square. You can then independently follow the partially still visible course of the ancient Via dei Sepolcri. The archaeological complex also includes the Roman theater of Tuscolo. It was built in the 1st century BC; after extensive renovations in the first half of the 1st century AD, its cavea could accommodate around 2,000 spectators.

Wine and Connections to Rome

DOCG wine tastings are offered at the De Sanctis organic farm in the green hills of Frascati. In addition to the local wine tradition, the railway connection makes it possible to connect with Rome: By train, Roma-Termini can be reached from Frascati in 25 minutes. This makes it possible to get to know the town both through its own villas, museums and archaeological sites and through its relationship with the Italian capital.

Other Places in the Same Area

Tolfa, San Vito Romano, La Giustiniana, Casaccia, Gallicano Nel Lazio, Zagarolo, Riano and Marino

For the higher-level travel overview: Rome.