The gens Octavia came from here: Suetonius records that the family of Augustus, the first emperor, had its roots in Velletri — and the celebrated Pallas of Velletri, now in the Louvre, attests the town's ancient rank. The Castelli Romani's last balcony southward, Velletri has always lived on wine: its cellars and the October grape festival celebrate it without posing.
The Porta Napoletana gate, medieval towers and a diocesan museum with works from Raphael's circle make up the centre; the Artemisio woods and Lake Nemi are minutes away. Rome is a train ride off, but the rhythm here stays agricultural.
Near Velletri
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
