Why Hadrian’s Villa Is Rome's Most Underrated Wonder?

Discover why Hadrian’s Villa is Rome’s best-kept secret! It is the perfect peaceful escape for history lovers and for those who want to exclude themselves from the crowd and see how an emperor really lived!

Many people who visit Italy spend all their time at the Colosseum or at the Roman Forum. However, just a short trip away in the town of Tivoli sits Hadrian’s Villa, a place that is just as impressive but much more peaceful. This massive estate was built by Emperor Hadrian nearly 2,000 years ago. Instead of building a palace, he created a mini-city that covered an area longer than Pompeii.

Today, it stands as a beautiful park filled with soaring arches, giant pools and crumbling walls that whispers the story of Rome’s most creative leader.

Sculpture of Emperor Hadrian. In the town of Tivoli sits Hadrian’s Villa, a place that is just as impressive but much more peaceful. This massive estate was built by the emperor himself nearly 2,000 years ago. Instead of building a palace, he created a mini-city that covered an area longer than Pompeii. Credits: Google

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A Museum Of The Ancient World

One of the coolest things about this villa is that it serves as a memory of Hadrian’s travels. Hadrian was an emperor who loved to explore and so, he used to spend years visiting different places like Greece and Egypt. When he came home, he ordered his architects to recreate the most beautiful buildings he had seen abroad. Because of this, this villa is similar to a museum of the ancient world. When you visit here, you can walk past Greek-style statues and then see a long, dramatic pool known as “Canopus,” which was inspired by a famous canal in Egypt. It was his way of bringing the entire empire into his own backyard.

When you visit here, you can walk past Greek-style statues and then see a long, dramatic pool known as “Canopus,” which was inspired by a famous canal in Egypt. It was the emperor's way of bringing the entire empire into his own backyard. Credits: Google

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High-Tech Secrets And A Private Island

The design of the villa was also incredibly way ahead of its time. Hadrian didn't like the noise and business of everyday life, so he had a secret world built underneath the ground. Also, there was a huge network of tunnels where servants and horses could move around to deliver food and other items without the emperor ever seeing them. Above ground, he also built a “Maritime Theatre,” a small private island surrounded by a moat. When he wanted to be alone to think or write poetry, he would pull up a wooden bridge so nobody could reach him. It was the ultimate private gateway.

Emperor Hadrian also built a “Maritime Theatre,” a small private island surrounded by a moat. When he wanted to be alone to think or write poetry, he would pull up a wooden bridge so nobody could reach him. It was the ultimate private gateway. Credits: Google

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A Peaceful Escape From The Crowds

Visiting Hadrian’s Villa feels very different from visiting the crowded spots in the center of Rome. Due to the site being so big, you can often walk for a long time without seeing any other person. You can peacefully wander through the ancient olive groves, explore the ruins of massive bathhouses and stand under the shadow of giant domes.

The Hadrian's Villa is a quiet, grassy place where you can actually hear the chirping of birds and feel the cool breeze. Credits: Google

It is a quiet, grassy place where you can actually hear the chirping of birds and feel the cool breeze. If you are someone who wishes to see the grand size or Roman history without the long lines and noisy traffic, this villa stands out to be truly the best hidden gem in Italy.

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Architecture, Emperor Hadrian, Hadrian Villa, Rome.