Albano Laziale is a commune, or municipality, in the region of Lazio in central Italy. The community is a part of the larger metropolitan of Rome, with the capital around 25 kilometers to the north. It is in the area of Castelli Romani, an area below the Alban Hills which is famous for its many castles. Albano Laziale is one of the larger municipalities in the area and has a population of around 40.000 inhabitants.
Our Visit to Albano Laziale
We visited Albano Laziale in 2018 during a five-week trip to Athens and Rome with our at the time one-year-old daughter. After four weeks in Athens, we ended our adventure by staying one week in the town of Frascati, south of Rome. We headed to the area of Castelli Romani on a day trip, visiting also Castel Gandolfo before heading back to Frascati.
A Short History
The local legend tells of Alba Longa, an ancient capital found somewhere in the area before the Romans. Many ancient remains have been found in Albano Laziale, telling of settlements for longer than two thousand years. Castra Albana was founded here in the early 3rd century. This was an ancient fortress for the Roman legions of Legio II Parthica. The fortress housed the soldiers who were supposed to protect the emperor in nearby Castel Gandolfo. Albano Laziale developed at the site of the former military camps. The Roman influence was eventually replaced by papal influence in the region.
Things to Do and See
There are a few cozy and small streets and squares to explore in the center of the town. Along some of these small streets, you can find the remains of the ancient Castra Albana, especially the main entrance known as Porta Pretoria. One of the best-preserved archeological sights is probably the old amphitheater. However, it doesn’t seem to be open to the public. This is otherwise a town with several churches and smaller palaces. Just to the north is a hilly nature area that separates the town from the nearby Lake Albano. The wooden area includes many hiking trails, with ancient remains to be discovered.
How to Get to Albano Laziale
- Flights: Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA) is just a short distance to the northwest.
- Car: Albano Laziale lies along Road SS7 between Frattocchie and Ariccia.
- Train: There are regular trains between Albano Laziale and Roma Termini, the main station in Rome.
The driving distance from 5 major Italian cities, according to Google Maps:
- Rome – 25 kilometers (30 min)
- Milan – 618 kilometers (6 h)
- Venice – 573 kilometers (5 h 30 min)
- Naples – 211 kilometers (2 h 10 min)
- Palermo – 914 kilometers (9 h 40 min)
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