Villa Gregoriana in Tivoli

Villa Gregoriana, officially Parco Villa Gregoriana, is located in Tivoli, a town not far from Rome. It is best known for the Great Waterfall, the second highest in Italy, and because it remains a perfect example of a romantic garden. Since 2002, it has been managed by the Italian Environmental Fund (FAI), an Italian non-profit foundation established to promote and protect the art, nature and landscape of our country.

Don’t be fooled by the name: Villa Gregoriana is not a villa, but rather a park! It has a completely irregular shape as it develops along a steep valley, and was created by the will of Pope Gregory XVI, from whom it takes its name. It served a dual purpose: to protect Tivoli from flooding of the Aniene river—by creating a double tunnel and an artificial waterfall of 120 metres—whilst also providing a magnificent park. The Ponte Gregoriano was built alongside it, though it soon lost its primary function, as water no longer flowed beneath it once the river was diverted underground.

Since its opening in 1835, the Villa Gregoriana park has been a destination for artists and writers, and today it represents an unmissable stop for anyone visiting Tivoli and an ideal day trip from Rome. Along the route you’ll discover woodlands, grottos and the magnificent waterfall, and you’ll be enchanted by the Aniene river as it enters the rock, in a truly unique and unforgettable natural setting.

If you’re planning a day in Tivoli and Villa Gregoriana park, also consider visiting Villa d’Este and Villa Adriana.

Things to do at Villa Gregoriana

There’s plenty to see during your visit to Parco Villa Gregoriana. Here are the most important highlights.

The Great Waterfall of the Aniene

The Great Waterfall is one of the park’s main attractions. It was central to the original project and is Italy’s second highest waterfall after the Marmore Falls in Umbria. Created in 1832 by diverting the course of the Aniene, there are several smaller waterfalls alongside it that emerge at different points, creating a truly magnificent spectacle.

Valle dell’Inferno

The Valle dell’Inferno (Hell’s Valley) is so named because it is a steep ravine that runs from the acropolis of ancient Tibur down to the Aniene river, with a drop of approximately 130 metres. This is precisely where Villa Gregoriana park has been developed. You can admire it from numerous vantage points, following a downhill guided route that, upon reaching the river, climbs back up to the acropolis.

Temple of Vesta

The Temple of Vesta is a circular temple dating from the late 2nd century BC. Originally it was surrounded by 18 Corinthian columns, though only 10 remain today. Incorporated within the park, the temple was studied by famous Renaissance architects and artists, including Sebastiano Serlio and Andrea Palladio, who drew inspiration from it for their own works.

Remains of the villa of Manlius Vopiscus

As you walk through the vegetation of Villa Gregoriana park, you’ll discover the ruins of the domus of Manlius Vopiscus, an ancient Roman villa dating from the 2nd century AD. It was an impressive villa with an elaborate and extensive layout, and was crossed by one or more water channels. Traces of an ancient aqueduct and a fish pond have also been found in the villa.

Gallery of General Sextius Miollis

Sextius Alexandre François de Miollis was a French general who lived between the 18th and 19th centuries and for a time served as governor of the Papal States.

He is linked to the history of Villa Gregoriana park because he was the one who excavated a tunnel through the rock, lit by a series of oval-shaped windows offering beautiful views of the Aniene: this is the Sextius Miollis gallery, which leads to the Grotto of Neptune, another of the park’s main attractions, accessible via a staircase located at the end of the tunnel.

Admission tickets for Villa Gregoriana

Admission tickets for Villa Gregoriana can be purchased at the ticket office or booked online in advance. Discounts are available for young people aged 6 to 18 and students up to 25 years old, while children under 5 and FAI members receive free entry. A family ticket is also available, allowing entry for 2 adults and 2 or more children/young people aged 6 to 18 at a special price.

Guided visits for groups or schools are available by reservation.

Opening hours

The Villa Gregoriana park opens each year in late February and closes before the Christmas holidays (we recommend checking the current year’s calendar on the official website). Opening times vary depending on the season, but as a general rule the park opens between 9:00 and 10:00, whilst it closes at 4:30 PM in November and December, and between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM during the other months. In any case, the last entry is available one hour before closing.

In case of rain, the park remains regularly open and visitable. It only closes in particular weather conditions, but in any case the ticket is non-refundable.

Tips for your visit

Villa Gregoriana has many level changes and steps, so it is not recommended for people with mobility disabilities or heart conditions. Similarly, a visit with pushchairs is not advisable: if you wish to visit with small children, it’s better to use baby carriers or wraps. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes, and you don’t need to bring water with you as there are several drinking fountains along the route, as well as toilet facilities.

The route through Villa Gregoriana park is one-way: entry is from largo Sant’Angelo, whilst the exit—where you’ll also find the bookshop—is on the side of the Temple of Vesta. At the end of the route you’ll find the park’s official shop, where you can purchase books, gifts and merchandise. FAI members are entitled to a 10% discount on all items for sale.

The visit duration is approximately one and a half hours, though you may wish to spend longer if you stop frequently to take photographs.

How to get to Villa Gregoriana

Villa Gregoriana park is located in largo Sant’Angelo, just a 5-minute walk from Tivoli station. It is accessible by the numerous regional trains that depart from Roma Termini in approximately 35-40 minutes, but you can also reach it from Roma Tiburtina; in this case the journey takes longer: approximately 50-60 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a train to Bagni di Tivoli station, from where the Ville di Tivoli buses depart.

For those arriving by car, Tivoli is approximately half an hour from Rome’s city centre, though you should allow for traffic leaving the city, which during peak hours can even triple journey times. In any case, head east on the Tiburtina ring road and then take the A24 motorway, exiting at the Tivoli junction. From here, simply follow signs for the town centre and then head north, arriving at the Aniene dam: Villa Gregoriana is just a few metres from there. A large paid car park is available just steps from the entrance.