Hadrian's Villa

Through time

The story

Hadrian's Villa was a monumental villa or palace complex built around AD 120 by emperor Hadrian (r.117–138) near Tivoli, about 20 km from Rome. Its remains are now included in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is one of the most imposing and complex Roman villas known. The complex contains over 30 monumental and scenic buildings arranged on a series of artificial esplanades at different heights and surrounded by gardens decorated with water basins and nymphaea (fountains). The whole complex covers an area of at least a square kilometre, an area larger than the city of Pompeii. In addition to the villa's impressive layout, many of the buildings are considered masterpieces of Roman architecture, making use of striking curved shapes enabled by extensive use of concrete.

They were ingenious for the complex symmetry of their ground plans and are considered unrivalled until the arrival of Baroque architecture in the 17th century, initiated by Borromini, who used Hadrian's Villa for inspiration.

The site, much of which is still unexcavated, is largely owned by the Republic of Italy and has been managed since 2014 by the Polo Museale del Lazio, although significant peripheral areas of the villa are in private property.

Adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.

What you will see

1. Canopus
2. Maritime Theatre
3. Piazza d'Oro

Before you go

• Check opening hours and ticket rules shortly before your visit — they change seasonally.
• Plan for the heat. Most ancient sites have little shade; go early or late.
• Respect the barriers. Fragile surfaces are protected for the next visitors.