The Villa d’Este in Tivoli was built on top of a Benedictine convent and named for Cardinal Ippolito d’Este, who was the son of Lucretia Borgia.
The palazzo was meant to entertain guests and its reception rooms are decorated with rather overwhelming frescoes.
It is mostly famous because of its garden, though. The Villa d’Este is adorned with hundreds of fountains. In the center of the Gardens is the most impressive water feature, called the Water Organ Fountain (which will be active every 2 hours, starting from 10.30am), but the Fountain of the Dragons and the so-called Hundred Fountains are just as interesting. The Fontana della Civetta functions every two hours, from 10am.
The Villa d’Este is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Address:
Piazza Trento – Tivoli
From Rome take the Co.Tra.L bus from the metro stop Ponte Mammolo (line B) and get off in Tivoli at the Largo Nazioni Unite bus stop.
By car take the A24 and get off at the Tivoli exit.
Phone:
+39 0774 312070 (Bookings from abroad: +39 0445 230310; Bookings from Italy: 199766166.
E-mail:
villadestetivoli@telekottageplus.com
Opening hours:
The Villa d’Este is open from 8.30 am until one hour before sunset. It is closed on Mondays, on January 1st, May 1st and December 25th. If Monday happens to be a holiday, weekly closure will be on a Tuesday.
Admission:
The full ticket costs 10 Euros and includes the villa, the gardens and the special exhibition. These cannot be visited separately.
European citizens aged between 18 and 24 pay only 6,75 Euros, while European citizens younger than 18 or older than 65 have a right to free entrance.
Disabled:
Call ahead: Tel. +39 0774 335850. There are elevators from the street level to the garden’s upper level. An electric car (with driver) is available, but needs to be reserved in advance (free).
