Historical, Artistic and naturalistic attractions

Grottaferrata Village :

Just a few steps from Rome, thanks to functional roads of Via Anagnina and Via Tuscolana, nestled in the green area of Castelli Romani, lies the elegant and exclusive Grottaferrata Village,enjoying both the convenience of proximity to the capital and the tranquility of the suburb.
The city is dominated by the Abbey of Santa Maria;
founded in 1004 by St. Nilus the Younger, Byzantine-Gothic, repeatedly ransacked over the centuries but perfectly intact in terms of architecture and art.
Noteworthy are also the Neo Gothic Church of the Sacred Heart and St. Joseph Church.
In the area of Grottaferrata, you can also visit the little Medieval hamlet and the ancient catacombs ad Decimum.
In 2011 the city was named "City of the book. Another attraction of the place is the important Grottaferrata National trade show, which purports ancient tradition of merchants and crafts since the Middle Ages. 
On the side of Mount Tusculum, immersed in the green untouched and protected nature of Castelli Romani Natural Park. Grottaferrata has always been a favorite destination for the upper middle class, from the times of ancient Rome to the present. It boasts a landscape of stunning private villas and farmhouses.

Basilian Monastery of Saint Mary (Abbazia Di San Nilo) :

Also known as the Abbey of Saint Nilus, it was founded in 1004 A.D. by a group of Greek monks led by their charismatic leader, San Nile from Rossano.
It was built in the Byzantine era, was the last of the many monasteries that respects the style and the Greek-catholic rites.
It stands on an ancient Roman villa of the first century B.C.
The facade has been restored in its original form, with the rose window and the windows pierced marble; the columns are made of travertine, the material of which the area is very rich. Special features of the atrium is the baptismal font that anticipates entering the abbey, the same site also said speciosa for the richness of its decoration in the jambs; it presents the carved wooden doors and a mosaic in the Byzantine style, bears the words in Greek "I am the door, who passes through me will be saved". In the chancel there is the Iconostasi, a wall that hides the altar from the rest of the Church, to symbolize the need for mediation liturgical designed by Bernini.
The medieval frescoes and the splendid mosaic of the Trinity, are visible above the triumphal arch. Others frescos were removed during the restorations of the past centuries and preserved in the Museum of the Abbey along with the findings of the nearby catacombs and ruins of Roman villas.

Frascati Village :

Village bordering Grottaferrata,Frascati offers many attractions, among them the Roman Catholic Cathedral and minor basilicadedicated to Saint Peter the Apostle. It is the seat of the Bishop of Frascati. The facade has recently been restored, and the interior, which was built in the sixteenth century was stripped when it was destroyed in a bombing in 1943.
The baroque, with its architectural scenes, fountains, painting and sculpture, manifests itself in all its splendor in the 12 Tusculum Villas in the territory of Frascati, a favorite destination for the residences of the nobility of the sixteenth century and the Roman aristocracy.
The agricultural land is cultivated mainly with olive groves and vineyards; the latter aimed at the production of the famous white wine Frascati DOC.

Castel Gandolfo and Lake Albano :

The Village of Castel Gandolfo is known for being home to the residence of the Pope during the summer months.
Its territory extends almost the whole coastline of Lake Albano, which also houses the headquarters of CONI rowing club, built to host the competitions of the Olympic Games in Rome in 1960. There is also a wonderful Golf Club with 18 holes.
Lake Albano is the deepest volcanic lake in Italy with its 170 meters and is particular compared to other volcanoes because of its shape, oval rather than round, and the steep slopes rather than rounded. Another very Important historical and artistic attraction is also the papal collegiate of St. Thomas of Villanova, built by Bernini.

Tusculum :

Mountain of volcanic formation of the Alban Hills, which includes, in addition to Grottaferrata, the territory of Monte PorzioCatone, Frascati and Monte Compatri.
The whole mountain is part of the Natural Park of Castelli Romani and is a destination for all lovers of mountain trekking. The area offers many possibilities for excursions. Lakes, hills and small villages make up scenic views of individual grace. The route that leads to the ancient Tusculum from Frascati, offers in addition to the beauty of nature, the possibility of discovering traces of the remote rich history of this country and its glorious past, as evidenced by the beautiful Tusculum villas.
The Tusculum is also home to the archaeological site of Tusculum, pre-Roman city as well as place of extraction of the stone outcrop of Tusculum.

Castelli Romani Natural Park :

The parkislocated in a protectednatural area in the Lazio Region, on the Alban Hills and includes 15 municipalities: Albano Laziale, Ariccia, Castel Gandolfo, Frascati, Genzano di Roma, Grottaferrata, Lanuvio, Lariano, Marino, Monte Compatri, Monte Porzio Catone, Nemi, Rocca di Papa, Rocca Priora, Velletri.
The area covers the area of the ancient Latium Volcano. Nemi is the only country which with its territory, falls completely in the territory of the Park.
Of particular interest are the archaeological site of Tusculum Tusculum ancient villas, Lake Albano (also called, improperly, Castel Gandolfo lake) and Lake Nemi.
The Park was established in 1984 in order to protect the natural and cultural features of the fifteen villages.