Other highlights include the Fountain of Neptune, where waterfalls and gravity defying water jets, that reach the height of 14 meters, dance and swirl together, for dizzying effect. Cardinal D’Este even built his own Rome, which you can still see in the bottom of the garden – because if he wasn’t going to be the Pope in Rome, Rome would come to him!
A visit to Villa D’Este complements a tour of Hadrian’s Villa, as not only was the cardinal inspired by the principles of classical design he found there, but he also pilfered many of the classical statues to furnish his own home!
A day trip from Rome to Tivoli’s Villa D’Este and Hadrian’s Villa is the best way to experience the lifestyle of Roman power-players, at two of the most important times in the city’s history. In doing so, you’ll get to enjoy fantastic palatial gardens, architectural wonders and dizzying waterworks!