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: 

Marino’s 100th Wine Festival	9/26/25 – 10/6/25 Piazza Garibaldi, Marino	Enjoy traditional events, a solemn procession, the miracle of the wine fountains to celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary and the victory of the Battle of Lepanto – free entry
Albano’s Feast of St. Francis	10/4 Capuchin Convent, Via S. Francesco, Albano	From 9 AM to 9 PM, celebrate the feast of St. Francis with food stands, drinks, music, dancing, and fireworks – free entry
Genzano’s Oktoberfest	9/20-10/5 Exodus Pub, Via Sebastiano Silvestri, Genzano di Roma	Celebrate in German-style with food, drinks, music, and fun
Marino’s 28th Annual Sagra della Ciambella al Mosto (Donut Festival)	Sunday, October 19 Piazza San Barnaba, Marino	This is a celebration dedicated to a classic Marino dessert, celebrating ancient local and family traditions. Discover facts and secrets to making this sweet treat! – free entry
The Velletri Jazz Festival	10/10 at 6:30 pm  Piazza dei Martiri D’ungheria, Velletri	Enjoy the grande finale with the Quarto e Mezzo, a local jazz band until Autumn lights – free entry, reservation required
Marino’s 14th Castelli di Cioccolato	10/10 – 10/12 Corso Trieste, Marino	This event is dedicated entirely to the world of chocolate, bringing artisans from all over Italy with their chocolate creations. There will workshops, cooking shows, and now – free entry
Ariccia da Amare! – Pierluigi da Palestrina and his contemporaries choral review	10/11 – 11/8 – 7:15 PM Church of Santa Maria Assunta and Palazzo Chigi, Arriccia	A choral festival celebrating the 500th anniversary of the birth of Palestrina. The sacred pieces will be performed in the Church, and secular in the Palace – free entry, no reservation; see website for exact timing and dates
Tenuta delle Zucche: Castel Gandolfo’s first pumpkin patch	October 11, 18, 25, and 31 Tenuta Mosaico, Castel Gandolfo	A family fun day with a pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving, scarecrow maze, horses, games, food and more! Entrance is free, and experiences range from 5 to 10 euro
Mushroom hunting in Rocca di Papa	October 12 Boschi del monte delle Faete (Woods of Mount Faete), Rocca di Papa	Learn to identify and forage local mushrooms! 14 euro for adults, 9:45 – 4:00; participants need to bring a knife, blanket, and a packed lunch
Salieri and Mozart “Truth and Lies” in Ariccia	October 12 5:30, Sala Maestra – Palazzo Chigi, Ariccia	Castelli Romani is hosting this major musical event with the Accademia Filarmonica Europea. This musical narrative aims to shed light on the lives of Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Tickets are 12 euro for those under 25 years old. Reserve a seat here
Rocca di Papa’s 45th Chestnut Festival	October 17 – October 19 Piazza della Repubblica, Rocca di Papa	Enjoy festivities filled with tradition, authentic flavors, shows, and the chestnut! There will be local food and wine stands, craft markets, live music, a historic parade, rides, and fireworks. Free entry
Appian Antiques in Marino	October 24 – 26 7:00 – 1:00, Area Palaghiaccio, Via Appia Nuova	Explore antiques, second-goods, collectibles, books, and more!
Castellano del Lago Market of Castel Gandolfo	October 25 – 26 3:00 – 8:00  Lungolago, Via Spiaggia del Lago, Castel Gandolfo	A local market of arts, crafts, and food