The Castelli Romani regional park is the protected area of the Alban Hills, in the province of Rome. It was established by the Lazio Region in 1984 to protect the natural and cultural features of the towns that occupy the ancient Latium Volcano, from Albano Laziale and Ariccia to Frascati, Nemi, Rocca di Papa and Velletri; Pomezia was included to safeguard the remains of the old cork-oak woods at the foot of the hills. The territory of Nemi lies entirely within the park.
What to see
The park includes Lake Albano and Lake Nemi, the archaeological site of Tusculum and the Tusculan villas. A large part of the land is covered by chestnut woods, subject to checks that prevent indiscriminate felling.
Wildlife has increased since the park was set up. The tawny owl nests in the old hollow trees, which are also visited by the green woodpecker and the great spotted woodpecker; the dense wood shelters the badger, the pine marten and the porcupine; the hare and the hedgehog live in the clearings. Predators include the fox, the buzzard, the peregrine falcon and, in recent years, the wolf, which has returned to the area on its own.
Visiting
The park has no barriers, opening hours or tickets: it covers about fifteen thousand hectares, and the only restrictions concern private property and archaeological areas. The park authority runs a seasonal programme of guided visits, on foot, by bicycle and on horseback: dates and booking should be checked on the official website.
Our editors' tip
Lake Albano, which many wrongly call Lake Castel Gandolfo, is the one under whose waters the «villaggio delle macine» was found, a Bronze Age pile-dwelling settlement: the finds are on display in the civic museum of Albano Laziale.
