Castel Gandolfo: The Pope's summer residence near Rome is so beautiful

Just 25 kilometers from Rome, high on a rock on Lake Albano, lies Castel Gandolfo. This picturesque mountain village, with its many historical sights, is one of the most beautiful places in Italy . Its most famous highlight is the papal summer residence, where Pope Leo XIV will be vacationing for two weeks starting July 6.

The Apostolic Palace was designed in the 17th century by the architect Carlo Maderno for Pope Urban VIII. Since then, many popes have spent their summer retreats on the property, which includes the Barberini Gardens, Villa Cybo, Villa Barberini, and a small farm, to escape the summer heat in Rome.

View of the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo, which serves as the Pope's summer residence.

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In 2016, then-Pope Francis (who died in April 2025) announced that he would no longer use the complex as a summer residence. Instead, he had the papal residence converted into a publicly accessible museum and established a center for ecological education and agriculture.

According to the Independent, Mayor Alberto De Angelis hopes Pope Leo XIV's vacation will lead to significant economic growth. While tourists have been coming to the town more regularly since the museum opened in 2016, the chance to catch a glimpse of the new pope is likely to attract even more travelers.

The Pope will stay overnight in the Papal Villas in the Alban Hills, according to the Prefecture of the Papal Household . On the Sundays of his vacation, Leo XIV will celebrate Holy Mass in the local churches.

Accordingly, he will be at the Pontifical Parish of San Tommaso da Villanova in Castel Gandolfo on July 13 at 10 a.m. He will then recite the Angelus prayer at 12 p.m. in Piazza della Libertà in front of the Apostolic Palace.

Many tourists come to Castel Gandolfo to see the Apostolic Palace. Since a pope is now vacationing in the town again, with a bit of luck they might even see Leo XIV there.

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July 20 will also be the Pope's last day in Castel Gandolfo. The Holy Father will first celebrate Mass in Albano Cathedral at 9:30 a.m. At 12 p.m., he will recite the Angelus again in Piazza della Libertà before returning to the Vatican in the afternoon.

What Pope Leo XIV does on other days in Castel Gandolfo is his private business. The avid recreational athlete might, for example, swim in the pool built by John Paul II in his summer residence, hit a few balls on the new padel court, or take a stroll in the papal gardens.

The Papal Gardens offer a mix of nature, landscaping and archaeological ruins.

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Tourists can also visit the Papal Gardens. The Villa Barberini is one of the most important highlights of Castel Gandolfo. Among other things, the garden is home to historical sculptures and centuries-old holm oaks, some of which are up to 400 years old. The Belvedere Gardens, which live up to their name, offer a "beautiful view" – from a koi pond to a fountain to an ancient vaulted walkway.

Numerous popes have stayed in this bedroom while vacationing in Castel Gandolfo. Now the Apostolic Palace is a museum, and the bedroom is an exhibition space.

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The Apostolic Palace remains open as a museum Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors can enter the Apostolic Palace free of charge from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the last Sunday of every month. In addition to artifacts such as vestments and cars of previous popes, visitors can also admire the papal apartments, the papal portrait gallery, the summer office, and even the private bedroom.

Other attractions in Castel Gandolfo include the numerous churches, most notably the centrally located Church of St. Thomas of Villanova. The hilltop town is also home to the world's first mailbox and the Doric Nymphaeum – an archaeological site that belonged to the villa of Emperor Domitian.

Picturesque view of Castel Gandolfo with Lake Albano in the province of Rome, Lazio region, central Italy.

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At Lake Albano, tourists can enjoy numerous restaurants, bars, beach clubs, and rentals for bicycles, boats, and kayaks. While exploring the picturesque surroundings, guests can always enjoy the view of the clear, blue water. Paddle boats are also available for rent for €10 per hour. However, it's best not to dive into the lake. The region's deepest lake (up to 170 meters) is extremely cold, making swimming in this volcanic body of water dangerous.

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