The road to Gandolfo

We arrived to Castelgandolfo by a sturdy old train over the hillsides. I bet Robert Ludlum didn't think of this view when he chose that title for his book.

Train tracks outside Castelgandolfo

Castelgandolfo

The palace Palazzo Pontificio is situated on high ground above the large crater lake Lago Albano. Pope Urbanus VIII selected it as his summer residence in 1626.

The hill of Castelgandolfo

Castelgandolfo

The walking path to the top is long and tedious, and cats watch your every step.

Walking up the hill

Lady of the lake

The view of Lago Albano from the surrounding hills is breathtakingly beautiful.

Castelgandolfo

A room with a view

Not really your everyday view from a bedroom window.

Lago Albano

Beach stroller

Lago Albano was known as Albanus Lacus to the ancient Roman Empire. This is another one of the places where Romulus and Remus are said to have been born.

Reine at Castelgandolfo

Roman domes

Castelgandolfo is also the site of the Vatican Observatory. In 1935 two domes were moved here from Rome, due to light pollution.

At the roof of Castelgandolfo

Stories of old

It's not everywhere you can browse the early editions of the classic works by Copernicus and Galileo. The observatory also hosts a meteorite collection and a rock from the moon.

Library of the Vatican Observatory

McDivine

The Ristorante Bucci has one of the best views in the world for your evening tiramisu.

Alley leading to Ristorante Bucci

Sleepless

Reine waiting for a train in Castelgandolfo