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Monday, February 06, 2012 ..:: TIVOLI GARDENS AND HADRIAN'S VILLA TOUR ::.. Register  Login
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 The dream of an Emperor Minimize

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hadrian's Villa was built by the emperor Hadrian in the early second century Dc. The villa was a sumptuous complex of over 30 buildings, covering an area of over 250 acres, of which much is still unexcavated. The villa was Hadrian's preferred residence when he was in Rome. His choice of an imperial palace outside Rome, instead one of the several palaces in Rome, was probably influenced by the miserable relations he had with the senate and the local Roman aristocracy.

Hadrian was an architect himself, and his personal taste can be seen in the design of his villa. Piazza d’Oro and the Canopus are two areas of the Villa in which his spirit of innovation  is particurarly evident. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Piazza d'Oro.

The Piazza d’Oro was a peristyle court containing an octagonal vestibule. This vestibule was roofed by vaults comprising of conveying gores and panels. This type of vaulting is known as the "umbrella" vault. It is an advanced form of the domical vault found in the octagonal room of the Domus Aurea. Scholars are certain these domes are the "pumpkins" that Apollodoros ridiculed a young Hadrian of designing. Apollodoros may have criticized Hadrian, but his vaults remain innovative and highly complex regardless.

  

The Canopus.

Similar to the Piazza d’Oro, the Canopus / Serapeum structure at Tivoli also displays an advanced vaulting system. Hadrian’s travels influenced his architecture, and the Canopus certainly has it’s roots in Egypt. The Canopus itself is situated in a valley at the southern end of the villa. At the northern end of the Canopus’ basin stands a colonnade of Corinthian columns. At the southern end stands a complex containing a large ribbed half-domed apse. This dome is similar to the domes of the Piazza d’Oro. However, this half-dome has wider curved segments and was decorated with blue and green mosaic. The southern end also contained a long barrel-vaulted room, which further lead into an aqueduct. High in the wall, windows were carved to allow in light.

 
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 TIVOLI

The ancient Tibur, nowdays Tivoli, is older than Rome. There are many legends about the origins of Tibur but the Historians today agree that Tivoli was an ancient Sicilian Colony founded around 1215 BC - 462 years before ROME.

Private Rome Day Tour to Tivoli, Hadrian's Villa and Villa D'Este. 

 

    

All entrance Fees

Typical roman meal

Pick up/drop off at your accommodation

Best offer  based on the number of participants.

 

                  

 Tivoli Gardens & Hadrian's Villa Tour.

The two major highlights of Tivoli are visited on this full day private tour. First you will visit Hadrian's Villa, a beautiful tribute to the memory of the Emperor's lover. Next you visit Villa d'Este, built for Cardinal Ippolito d'Este, Lucrezia Borgia's son. This is a beautiful and relaxing day to escape the hustle and bustle of Rome.

  

 

Begin your private tour with a personalized Rome hotel pick up. Your guide will be waiting with a private car. Your journey to see Tivoli, Hadrian's Villa (Villa Adriana) and Villa D'Este begins with a 45-minute drive east to an archaeological park, set in a vast green area at the foot of beautiful green hills. Here, in the 2nd century AD, Emperor Hadrian built his suburban Villa and created the most sublime settings for his Imperial Court of about 15,000 people.

 

The many palaces, lakes, temples, nimphaei, pools adorned with Greek statues and Egyptian beasts were dedicated to Antinoos, Hadrian's handsome lover. A painstaking archaeological recovery has taken place over the last two centuries, yet you can still feel their presence and Hadrian's aesthetic sense and his love for beauty.

Next, enjoy some free time for lunch, before continuing the afternoon tour of Tivoli.

 

Visit Villa d'Este, built for Cardinal Ippolito d'Este, Lucrezia Borgia's son. The Villa, which used to be a convent, was turned into a luxurious Villa d'Otium for the Cardinal who was governor of Tivoli. Built by Pirro Ligorio, most of the hill surrounding it and the town quarter underneath was destroyed to create the most beautiful fountains, well over 100 of which were meant to enact jets d'eau at the sound of the organs and music created by Palestrina. An incredible setting not be missed on your next trip to Rome! Emperor Hadrian would have approved.

 

This in-depth private tour is hosted by a professional guide specializing in art history. Please list any special interests (art, architecture, history, culture) at time of booking to alert your guide and better prepare for your private tour.

 

Hadrian's Villa was built as country (c. ad 125–134) at Tivoli near Rome by the emperor Hadrian.. This villa is considered the epitome in architecture of the opulence and elegance of the Roman world. Covering approximately 7 square miles (18 square km), the complex was more an imperial garden city than a traditional villa. Its buildings were designed to follow the natural lay of the land and included baths and bath buildings, libraries, sculpture gardens, theatres, alfresco dining halls, pavilions, and private suites. Significant portions of the complex have survived to modern times. Hadrian’s Villa was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. It was proclaimed “a masterpiece that uniquely brings together the highest expressions of the material cultures of the Mediterranean world.”

 

Villa D'este better known as Tivoli Gardens estate in Tivoli, near Rome, with buildings, fountains, and terraced gardens designed (1550) by the Mannerist architect Pirro Ligorio for the governor Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este. Before being confiscated as his residence, the property had been a Benedictine convent. Ligorio, who was also an archaeologist, conducted a close examination of the terraced site at the temple complex of Praeneste (now Palestrina) as well as excavations at Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli. His discoveries at these nearby sites influenced his design of (and, in the case of Hadrian’s Villa, supplied the statuary for) the cardinal’s garden.

 

 

 

 

 

To book your guided tour or have further information

please contact me:   

 info.guidedtour@gmail.com

 

 
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