Hadrian's Villa

Hadrian built this from around 118 over some one hundred and twenty hectares, larger than many contemporary towns, and it functioned as the seat of government when he was there. He had travelled the empire more than any emperor before him, and the villa quotes what he saw: the Canopus, a long pool with a colonnade and a domed dining hall, recalls a canal in Egypt; other structures carry Greek names. The Maritime Theatre is a circular island surrounded by a moat with a retractable bridge, apparently a private retreat. Much of the marble and sculpture was carted off in the Renaissance, some of it into Villa d'Este.

History

Republican-era villas stood on terraces here before Hadrian, one perhaps inherited by his wife Vibia Sabina, and he began building at the end of 118 or early 119, a few months after reaching Rome; he first stayed in 125, made it his official residence around 128 and kept building while he travelled, retiring here towards the end of his life. Later emperors used it occasionally and Diocletian restored it, but from the 4th century its statues and marble were carried off; the historian Flavio Biondo rediscovered it in the late 15th century, Pope Pius II wrote about it, and in the 16th century Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este took much of the remaining marble and sculpture for his Villa d'Este nearby (Wikipedia, Hadrian's Villa).

Highlights

• The Canopus - a long pool with colonnade and statues, recalling Egypt.
• The Maritime Theatre - a moated circular island with a drawbridge.
• The Great Baths - vaulted bath halls standing to considerable height.
• The scale - a hundred and twenty hectares of imperial estate.

When to go

April to June and September to October; the site is large, open and hot in summer with little shade. It closes Mondays in some seasons. Allow three hours minimum.

Before you go

The site is very large and much of it is foundations; a map or guide matters. Sculpture and marble were removed centuries ago and are in museums elsewhere. Shade is scarce.

Nearby

Villa d'Este is up in Tivoli; Rome lies west.

Key facts