Villas for Rent in Rome

Monte Porzio Catone, near Frascati


Monteporzio, seen from the valley beneath

Monteporzio, seen from the mountain behind


Since the ancient Roman times, the Alban Hills have been a primary resort area for Romans. The Eternal City in fact is only 20 Km (appr. 12 miles) distant. During the Middle Ages eleven villages on the summits of this volcanic range became the fortified strongholds of patrician families fleeing the anarchy of Rome, hence the name Castelli Romani (Roman Castles, or Alban hills in English).
It is a scenic area of great natural beauty, with olive groves and vineyards, woods and pastures, blessed with a temperate climate, a bright golden light, and a very balsamic air.

Monte Porzio Catone is named after Marcus Porcius Cato, the Censor, who was said to have resided in the area. Perched on a hill overlooking Rome, Monte Porzio is the place to go for pizza, fresh pasta, quick groceries, a cappuccino at the bar or an excellent meal in a restaurant. One should visit Tusculum, a buried Roman town with its theater still intact, enjoy the wine tasting at the fall harvest festival, or bring children meet the local "bambini" at the community playground.

Nearby there is Frascati, the largest town in the Alban Hills boasting a magnificent 17th century Cathedral and several notable Renaissance princely villas. Once painted by John Singer Sargent, Villa Torlonia is now the town park. Another, the Villa Aldobrandini, is still owned by a descendant of the original family that gave a Pope to the Church in the 16th century. On Sunday in Frascati the whole town is out for a stroll along the promenade to savour a gelato at "Tris" in the church square or watch a puppet show featuring Pulchinella and Columbine.

The Monte Porzio villa is only 20 Km. distant (appr. 14 miles) from Rome. It can be reached by bus from the village of Monte Porzio, by train from Frascati (only 3 Km appr. 1.8 miles distant). Moreover, if you have a car, the nearest Rome subway stop with car park is only 15 Km. distant, appr. 9 miles.
Rome's Ciampino airport, where most charter flights from Europe land, is only 15 Km. distant (appr. 9 miles).

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