Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli

Why it is on the list

It is the largest imperial residence to survive near Rome. Hadrian built it between 118 and 138 AD on well-watered land near ancient Tibur, across at least 120 hectares of residences, baths, nymphaea, pavilions and gardens, linked by paths above ground and a network of service roads below; about 40 hectares are open today.¹ It holds more than 30 monumental buildings on artificial terraces, over an area larger than Pompeii, and its curved, symmetrical plans went unmatched until Borromini, who studied them.² Statues from here are in most of the major museums of Rome, Italy and Europe.¹ UNESCO inscribed it in 1999.²

It is the wrong day for anyone who cannot walk far on uneven ground: the site is almost all outdoors, on paths with slopes.¹ For fountains and a garden rather than ruins, take Villa d'Este in Tivoli itself; one ticket covers both.³

How to get it

Buy a ticket online through the institute's ticket office, or at the desk at the entrance on Largo Marguerite Yourcenar; questions and bookings go to prenotazionivillae@rearonline.it.¹⁴ The VILLÆ Pass, EUR 30, covers Hadrian's Villa, Villa d'Este and the Sanctuary of Hercules Victor within 72 hours of the first entry.³ The site is open every day except 1 January and 25 December; in September entry runs 8.30 to 18.00 and the gates close at 19.30, in October 8.30 to 17.00 with the gates closing at 18.30, one hour earlier again once the clocks go back.¹ The Mouseia and the scale model of the villa open at 9.00.¹

By car, take the A24 to the Tivoli exit and the Maremmana Inferiore for about 2.5 km to the village of Villa Adriana, then follow the signs; there is a paid car park at the gate.¹ By train, go from Termini or Tiburtina to Tivoli and take the local CAT 4 or 4X bus, which stops at the entrance.¹ Wear flat shoes and dress for the season.¹

Discretion

Entry is free on the first Sunday of each month, on 25 April, 2 June and 4 November, and for women on 8 March; choose another day.¹ Some areas can close for restoration; the ticket office says which on the day.¹ Drones are not allowed, and neither are period costumes without the director's permission.¹