We met the group shortly after 9a at Trastevere station. This was the first time we've left from here, as a group anyway, and a handful of us were happy for the new location as it's only 2 blocks from our apartments - very convenient!! Anyway, once everyone showed up we hopped the train Tivoli, about a 2 hour ride with one quick transfer at Tiburtina. I am happy to say that it was an uneventful ride, I attempted to make some progress in a book for my Middle East class, but ended up giving in to the urge to get some extra sleep instead. Ah well . . .
Once we arrived in Tivoli, around 11:30a, our first stop was the Villa Gregoriana. This particular villa (I am borrowing the following historical information from the brochure we were given) was commissioned by Pope Gregory XVI after a flood in 1826. Originally designed to rebuild the Aniene River, Pope Gregory XVI decided to change it into a park integrating art and nature after the river overflowed its banks for a second time in 1835. Perhaps the biggest feat involved in the project was a tunnel that was dug through Mount Catillo to divert the river around Tivoli. The project concluded with the construction of the natural garden that is dominated by the acropolis with Vesta and Tiburno's Temples. Among the numerous things to be seen throughout the villa are the caves of Neptune and the Sirens, the ruins of the Villa di Manlio Vopisco, which pre date Christ, and the Great Waterfall.
After a couple hours of exploring Villa Gregoriana, we were all pretty hungry, so Amy (she is one of the girls that works at the SAI office in town) took us to a restaurant she'd discovered earlier in the week while doing some research for the trip. They had good pizza that was reasonably priced and we all devoured our lunch.
Having refueled, some went next door for gelato, the rest of us just kind of hung out and talked for awhile before heading off to our final destination - Villa d'Este. Apparently we were running a little early though, how very American and non Italian of us, so Amy took us on a slight detour in order to get a view of the surrounding area.
Finally, we made it to the Villa d'Este. I don't remember all of the details of its history (I apologize because this is going to be bad), but it had something do with a guy who's grandfather (I believe) was the pope and was therefore fast tracked. Unfortunately, following the papal conclave he was not elected. Somehow this led to Villa d'Este, Este being the last name of the family. (I told you this was going to be bad!)
Anyway, my sloppy history leads me to tell you that the villa is now known for its fountains that, with few exceptions, all still operate through natural hydraulics. One of the fountains even contains a hydraulically operated organ that still plays music of the era on a daily set schedule. As impressive as the Villa d'Este is today, I can only imagine what it must have been. I found myself wandering the grounds trying to transport myself back to a different time.
After the tour we headed back to the train station and actually managed to catch an earlier train than we had planned on - such good Americans, yet such bad Italians.
All in all a great day in Tivoli with lots of fun people!! And seeing as though it was, most likely, my last trip with SAI, I cannot possibly say enough good things about the excursions that they have put together for us - UH-MAZE-ING!!
Ok, time to delve into some law reviews before heading off to the Czech Republic for the weekend.
Ciao, Ciao!!
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