DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.71133#0549
PART IL
CHAPTER XXII.
To Tivoli and Neighbourhood.
388.—TIVOLI, THE ANCIENT TIBUR, THE CITY BY
THE RUSHING WATERS.1
This interesting old town, distant about eighteen miles from
Rome, is seated among rocks and waterfalls, amidst wild and
beautiful scenery, a very paradise for artists and antiquarians.
It is sheltered on one side by Mount Catillo and a range of the
Sabine hills, and commands on the other an extensive view
over Rome and the broad, treeless Campagna. The journey
from Rome may be made either by train from the Central
Station or by steam tramway from the Porta di S. Lorenzo.2
Both lines have their advantages : the tramcar brings us past
Hadrian’s Villa, then up a steep hill, the road winding through
shady olive groves and vineyards, with charming views at every
bend ; while from the train besides interesting glimpses of the
surrounding landscape, the principal waterfalls may be seen to
advantage. Near the town gate will be noticed a picturesque
five-story castle built by Pius II. In classical times Tibur was
a favourite resort of many of the wealthy Roman nobles and
patricians. Here Maecenas, the Emperor Augustus, Sallust,
Quintilius Varus, and others,3 founded luxurious villas,
surrounded by delightful parks and gardens, and enriched
with costly treasures of art, often brought as the spoils of war
from the distant East. Under the Emperor Hadrian Tibur
reached the summit of its splendour, but in the sixth century its
greatness rapidly declined, the fierce troops of Genseric and
Totila making short work of its haunts of luxurious vice, and
1 Prceceps Anio, Horace, Carmina I. (7) 6.
2 Those who drive to the steam tramway should dismiss their cab at
the Porta S. Lorenzo, to avoid paying the extra-mural tariff.
3 Horace’s Sabine Farm is thought to have stood beyond Rocca
Giovine, to the north of Vicovaro, though he was probably a frequent
companion of Maecenas on his excursions to his Tiburtine villa.
CC I
CHAPTER XXII.
To Tivoli and Neighbourhood.
388.—TIVOLI, THE ANCIENT TIBUR, THE CITY BY
THE RUSHING WATERS.1
This interesting old town, distant about eighteen miles from
Rome, is seated among rocks and waterfalls, amidst wild and
beautiful scenery, a very paradise for artists and antiquarians.
It is sheltered on one side by Mount Catillo and a range of the
Sabine hills, and commands on the other an extensive view
over Rome and the broad, treeless Campagna. The journey
from Rome may be made either by train from the Central
Station or by steam tramway from the Porta di S. Lorenzo.2
Both lines have their advantages : the tramcar brings us past
Hadrian’s Villa, then up a steep hill, the road winding through
shady olive groves and vineyards, with charming views at every
bend ; while from the train besides interesting glimpses of the
surrounding landscape, the principal waterfalls may be seen to
advantage. Near the town gate will be noticed a picturesque
five-story castle built by Pius II. In classical times Tibur was
a favourite resort of many of the wealthy Roman nobles and
patricians. Here Maecenas, the Emperor Augustus, Sallust,
Quintilius Varus, and others,3 founded luxurious villas,
surrounded by delightful parks and gardens, and enriched
with costly treasures of art, often brought as the spoils of war
from the distant East. Under the Emperor Hadrian Tibur
reached the summit of its splendour, but in the sixth century its
greatness rapidly declined, the fierce troops of Genseric and
Totila making short work of its haunts of luxurious vice, and
1 Prceceps Anio, Horace, Carmina I. (7) 6.
2 Those who drive to the steam tramway should dismiss their cab at
the Porta S. Lorenzo, to avoid paying the extra-mural tariff.
3 Horace’s Sabine Farm is thought to have stood beyond Rocca
Giovine, to the north of Vicovaro, though he was probably a frequent
companion of Maecenas on his excursions to his Tiburtine villa.
CC I