Tivoli

Last semester, when I was studying abroad in Rome, I had some of the most enjoyable experiences of my lifetime. The city of Rome is so beautiful that I walked or ran over five miles every day just to experience more of its beauty.

About three months into the spring semester, I had traveled to other cities, I had explored the narrow streets of Rome, and I needed a break from city life. So one weekend when I did not have travel plans, I bought a train ticket to a small Italian town about an hour outside of Rome called Tivoli.

On the train to Tivoli, I got my first taste of the paradise that is Italian countryside. As the train winded through the hills, I saw miles of vineyards, the greenest pastures I have ever seen, and acres upon acres of olive trees. The houses near these massive vineyards and farms were gorgeous, yet quaint. Reflecting on the readings for the semester, I think Wendell Berry, with his "Making of a Marginal Farm," would be elated by the Italian countryside.

Tivoli itself was breathtaking. The town was on the side of a mountain and was where several ancient rulers built their villas, just far enough from the city of Rome but close enough to retain power. I was able to visit one of the villas called Villa d'Este. This villa was built in the 16th century and is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There were massive gardens, waterfalls, extravagant fountains, and several terraces with a spectacular view of the city. You could tell the people of that time had a greater appreciation for nature than our society does today.



The villa was incredibly beautiful, but the best place to visit in Tivoli is undoubtedly Villa Gregoriana. It is a complex of weeded parks, paths, waterfalls, grottoes, and vegetation. It was commissioned around 1834 by Pope Gregory XVI, and it is a gorgeous place of unspoiled nature. The most famous site here was the Great Waterfall created by the River Aniene. The park has a complex system of trails and provides an incredible view of Tivoli's town center.



I have never felt so in tune with nature as I did exploring this park in Tivoli. It might be because I had just spent a few months in one of the largest cities in the world, but I truly believe Tivoli is a magical place of wonder, and most of the land is beautifully untouched.