About Castel Gandolfo

See the Apostolic Palace, the historic summer residence of the Popes, in the main square of Castel Gandolfo! The palace is open daily for tours of the Portrait Gallery of the Popes, gardens, and the Papal Apartment. The majority of the Holy See’s property is actually here in Castel Gandolfo! The complex of buildings in the palace, gardens, farmhouse, and observatory include 75 acres of land. At Borgo Laudato Si’, visitors have the opportunity to see history meet natural science and ecology, on the principles of the Encyclical Letter of Laudato Si’. 

Located in the main square right outside the Papal Palace, San Tommaso da Villanova is the parish church of Castel Gandolfo. Built between 1658 and 1661, the church was designed by Bernini at the order of Pope Alexander VII. Inside are beautiful stuccos and paintings by Pietro da Crotona, a first-class relic of St. Sebastian, and a beautiful organ that can be heard at Sunday Mass. The parish offers daily mass times as well as Saturday Vigil Mass and Sunday Mass, and Confession. 

Enjoy a swim in the refreshing waters of Largo Albano, and relax on the black volcanic sands. There are many opportunities to go kayaking on the lake, hiking on the ridges along the lake, or biking along the Appian Way. There is a list of local hiking trails.

Go out on the town and enjoy and bite at some of CatholicTech’s favorite places:

 

• Pizza Pazza: A great place for a quick slice of the best pizza in Castel Gandolfo, and only a 10 minute walk from campus!
• Arte e Vino: Both an artistic and culinary experience, this restaurant is filled with fun and interesting artwork and many unique dishes featuring local specialties. 
• La Culla del Lago: A beautiful restaurant with a view of Lake Albano, this restaurant has international foods with a unique flair, including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. 
• Rione Castel Gandolfo: This underground restaurant has a beautiful terrace overlooking Lake Albano with fun cocktails and delicious pizza. 
• Trattoria La Scarpetta: Named after the tradition of wiping your plate clean with bread at the end of the meal, this cozy restaurant is a frequent CatholicTech spot and has some of our favorite pasta dishes. Enjoy traditional cuisine with local wines!
• L’Emporio: A great spot for coffee or an aperitivo, with a tagliere misto (platter of mixed meats and cheese), porchetta panino, or cornetto.

Castel Gandolfo is part of the area of Castelli Romani – or the Castles of Rome. This region is known for its fun activities and festivals for all ages. Here are some upcoming events in Castelli: 

Event	Date + Location	Details
Conversations on the work ‘The Conversion of St. Paul’	Diocesan Museum  Corso della Repubblica 347 – Velletri  1/24/26 at 3:30 PM	Celebrating the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Dr. Veronica Panfili will discuss Saul and how he became St. Paul. Free entry, 8 € donation fee
Violin and Harpsichord Concerto: “At the Dresden Court”	Palazzo Annibaldeschi  Via Annibaldeschi 2 – Monte Copatri 1/24/26 at 6:30 PM	Experience a beautiful concert including works by Veracini, Vivaldi, Bach and more! 12-15 €
Feast of St. John Bosco	Parrocchia di Santa Maria Maggiore, Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore – Lanuvio 1/24 – 2/1	On Saturday and Sunday, 1/24 to 1/25, there will be special masses celebrating both St. John Bosco and St. Francis de Sales and Salesian spirituality. On 1/31 and 2/1 there will also be masses and processions, see more information on the website
Pinocchio at Spazio Teatro Faber	Via Fontana Vecchia 47 – Frascati  1/25 at 5 PM	Buy tickets at the theater or online for 10 €
The Start of Carnevale in Frascati	Piazza San Pietro – Frascati 2/1 at 3 PM	Enjoy the beginning of Carnevale with live music and dancing! Free!
Dinner with Piano and Vocals at La Quintessa	Via Spiaggia del Lago 20 – Castel Gandolfo  2/1 at 7 PM	Enjoy live music every Sunday evening with an aperitif or dinner!
‘Piano Italiano’ Concert	Romina Trenta Auditorium – House of Culture and Music – Piazza Trento e Trieste – Velletri  2/15 at 11:15 AM	A concert in collaboration in the Mendelssohn Association for 10 €
In Defense of the Pope and the Tapestry of the Conversion of St. Paul	Papal Palace, Piazza della Libertà – Castel Gandolfo From now, ending on 2/1	See a collection of armory from the 16th and 17th centuries and the exhibition of the famous tapestry “Conversion of Saint Paul.” The exhibit is included in the general admission ticket to the palace, full price 12 € and reduced 5 €
Nativity Scenes in the Village – 31st edition	Santa Maria del Pozzo – Nemi  There now and until 2/2	Visit this beautiful nativity scene, curated by the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, featuring several scenes and locations of Nemi, free