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: 

 

Festival of San Antonio the Martyr	This festival in Monte Porzio Catone is organized by the Confraternity of Sant’Anotonino. The activities include daily mass and evening entertainment, such as live music, documentaries, and processions.	August 23 – September 14
31st Annual Porcini Mushroom Festival	The porcini mushroom, nicknamed the “king of the woods,” is a local delicacy of Castelli Romani. This festival has six days of food stalls open for lunch and dinner serving traditional dishes of local area. There also will be live music every evening in the main square, crafts, and other family activities.	September 5 -7  Colle do Fuori, Rocca Priora
42nd Annual Onion Harvesters Festival, and Onion Beer Festival	This celebration includes Holy Mass, a beerfest, live music and dancing, historic car and motocycle rally, a raffle, and a rugby game!	September 4 – 7 Via Cuneo, Ciampino
Guided Tours of Palazzo Colanna and Cooperativo Museum	These exhibits include ancient crafts and local history. Reservation is required	Every Saturday starting September 6, at 10 AM and 5 PM Largo Palazzo Colonna, Marino
Festa del Santo Patrono	The city of Castel Gandolfo celebrates their patron, St. Sebastian, with a procession, live music, dancing, and a firework display.	September 6 – 7 Palazzo Apostolico, Castel Gandolfo