Frascati

May 14, 2016

We wanted to break up the trip to Tuscany, which Gary thought was too far to drive in one day, so we decided to stop for a night in Frascati, which is basically a suburb of Rome in the Lazio region of central Italy. The drive takes about 6 1/2 hours, and we arrive in Frascati around 2:00 P.M. We stop at Enoteca San Marco for a bite and then walk around the town, going into the lovely Cathedral of St. Peter Apostle (pictures on page 74). Construction was begun on the church in 1598 and the first mass was celebrated in June of 1610. The interior of the cathedral was destroyed by bombing in 1943.

May 14, 2016 (Continued)

We arrive at the Park Hotel Villa Grazioli (middle of page 74 and page 75). Villa Grazioli was built in 1580 by Cardinal Antonio Carafa. World War II marked the beginning of a period of decadence for the Villa after the bombing of Frascati. Following the war, it was inhabited by the homeless, with each family occupying a room, using campfires and placing mattresses on the floor. The Villa was then completely abandoned for nearly forty years. In 1987 Villa Grazioli Ltd. took over the property and started the restoration. The restored Villa Grazioli is rich in artworks by masters of the 16th and 17th century like Ciampelli, Carracci and Pannini. We could even see part of Rome from our hotel window (see below)!