This town towering over the Lake Albano’s
western side was believed to be the ancient
Alba Longa, built by Aeneas and progenitress of Rome. During the
republican age numerous villas were built in its territory among
which, that of Pompey and that of the emperor Domitian. This villa
was a very large one and its ruins can still be seen in the pontifical
gardens.
Castel Gandolfo was first mentioned in 1037; in a papal bull
of that year it is cited the Church of San Michele. This church
was the town’s parish church till 1600. In 1244 this centre
was owned by the Gandolfi, a Family probably originating from
Liguria; then at the end of that century it was one of the Savelli’s
possessions, which owned it till 1597, when it was bought by
the Apostolic Chamber because of Savelli’s debts. In 1608
it was declared absolute property of the Holy see.
In 1624, Urban VIII Barberini (1623-1644) completely transformed
Castel Gandolfo, following the design of the architect Carlo
Maderno, and it became the pontifical summer resort. It was
also built a new villa for his Family in the same area of that
of Domitian. In 1660 Alexander VII (1665-1667) widened the pontifical
palace and the walls. He commissioned Bernini to design the
square in front of the palace and the Church of San Tommaso
di Villanova. During the 17th century several noble families
ordered the construction of villas in the territory near the
pontifical properties, and among these: Villa Torlonia and Villa
Cybo. After the Lateran Pacts, villa Barberini too became property
of the Holy see and part of the Vatican City State. This gracious
town towering over the lake hosted numerous important artists
such as, Goethe, Stendhal, Winkelmann, and D’Azeglio.
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