Nestled in the Alban Hills, Grottaferrata is a small town south-east of Rome. It developed around an 11th-century abbey, which was founded on the ruins of a Roman villa where a vision of the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared. In the 13th century, it served as the headquarters of Emperor Frederick II during a siege on Rome.
Things to do in Grottaferrata
One of Grottaferrata’s most important landmarks is the Abbey of Saint Mary, which was originally established in 1004 by St. Nilus of Rossano. It’s flanked by a Romanesque-style bell tower and features a beautifully decorated facade dominated by a large rose window. Step inside to admire the 16th-century wooden ceiling, polychrome marble floor and mosaic depicting scenes from the Pentecost.
History buffs can visit the Catacombs ad Decimum, which are located at the tenth mile of the Via Latina, a Roman-built road that led from Rome to Mount Algidus. The catacombs house around 1,000 graves dating from the 2nd to 5th centuries AD, together with wall paintings from the period. Take note of the inscriptions on the marble slabs used to close the burial cells.
Grottaferrata makes an excellent base for visiting the Parco Archeologico Culturale di Tuscolo, which preserves the remains of one of the most important cities of the Latin League. A highlight is the 1st-century-BC amphitheatre, which had the capacity to accommodate up to 2,000 spectators. Also of note are the Temple of Mercury and the remnants of a basilica dedicated to the Holy Trinity.
Getting around Grottaferrata
Grottaferrata is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Rome and Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Buses connect to Grottaferrata while the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot.