It is from the Castle (Castrum Gandulphi) built in the 17th century by the Gandolfi, a Genevan family of lords having occupied the land for at least 2 centuries, that this picturesque late medieval village takes its name. Lying on the western coastline, the delightful lake of Albano fills a hollow basin carved into the land - also known as the "Lake of Castel Gandolfo" due to the fact that the castle overlooks the lake and reflects into the water from a height of 150 metres. It is a round broad basin immersed in the cavity lying between two neighbouring craters of an ancient volcano since then dormant. Its circumference, which is lined for the most part by high rocks and banks of the peperino with stretches of non-homogeneous lava flow, appears to line the horizon with rocky rugged pathways inaccessible due to the surmountable undergrowth and it appears in the mirrored water reflecting small beaches of volcanic sand.
The surroundings of such a large lake, which many scholars consider almost certainly to have been a kind of ancient religious political centre for the Latini named Alba Longa, a city according to tradition founded by Ascanio, son of Enea at the start of Rome's history which in turn had been destined to destruction on the grounds of betrayal. It is exactly on this ridge where this characteristic place found southeast of Rome rich in history and natural beauty connected to the ancient Via Albana (known as the Appia today) and well protected by the water and the mountains, stands out splendidly against the sky in its elongated form hence the name ("Longa").
Given its location, it has been since ancient times, rather notable for its evocative landscape though tormented by battles and various other conquests. In the 14th century after having been passed on from one possessor to another it finally became the property of Savelli who forewent the village by allowing it to be taken by the Camera Apostolica (1596), accounting for the now established known papal summer residence and place of rest (due to the location's pleasantness) making it a destination for numerous pilgrims originating from all over the world.
Today upon the ruins of Emperor Domiziano's Villa stands the Papal Palace once desired by Urbano VIII altered and expanded by Alessandro VII and Clemente XIII, in addition to a treasure of valuable works of art and the Specola Vaticana, an astronomical observatory among the first in Europe.
The Town Council together with other civil buildings and the Papal Palace of a simple and noble nature where the gardens at one time were adjoined to Villa Barberini and Villa Cybo, serve as a backdrop in the north for the characteristic and defined rectangular piazza, named "Piazza della Liberta", situated in the centre of the village. Its deep magical beauty is immediately noticeable beyond the monumental arch of the Porta Romana, which is an important passageway through the towering impressive city walls encircling the city. The piazza, displaying an urbanized baroque style is given even more importance due the elegantly defined forms of the enchanting fountain, a work of art sculpted by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and due to the Church dedicated to S. Tommaso of Villanova.
The latter despite its construction in 1661 does not appear to be influenced by the baroque style of its time but rather in part shows the form of a Greek cross with a façade held by pilasters and very lightly framed emphasizing its horizontal nature;
among the important works of art found on the alter, is the painting of the crucifixion by Pietro da Cortona.
Gracefully facing the sky, the triangular pediment located in the centre of the Papal crest and the small elegant cupola, a magnificently notable sign and reference point of the lake panorama, stand out together.
The historical centre in this manner seems to call to mind the Empire as well as the Feudo and the Church. Above all it allows Castel Gandolfo to be considered in its entirety as a valuable demonstration of important art and landscape.
After following the road which extends from the centre across this whole enchanting urban area and moving freely upon the surface of the crater through silent streets shaded by leafy trees where sloping houses provide countable panoramic views from where evocative short-cuts by the lake quietly unfold before the eyes of attentive visitors,
one arrives at the Villa Torlonia restored by Valadier in 1817 .
The villa's park is full of age-old trees and it is evidenced by sculptures of Thorwaldsen. Villa Barberini (today a part of the papal residence all interconnecting amongst themselves) can also be reached by the simple architectural lines of a long street leading to the Theatre of the Villa of Domiziano, to the Ninfei and to the Gardens of Magnolie with Italian design.
Such villas make up for a significant amount of the volcanic coastline as well as the Ninfei, which according to some can testify to Alba Longa's small chapels of the divinities among which are found on the shores of the lake dating back to the republican era named "Dorico" excavated from the peperino, whose richly decorated walls are well adapted to this area of strong panoramic impact.
The same picturesque scenery can be reached by arriving into the town through the so-called "Via Papale". Originating from the Appia, this road allows for a more direct route offering a broader view of Rome where rich and diversely coloured vegetation varies. In the background, a view of the lake's bright calm waters proudly reflect the intense green of the mountains and the faint colours of the area without altering the true array of colours.
Therefore it is in this way that walks along the shores of the lake, the magical atmosphere that is breathed in by walking through the little streets of the old village, the extraordinary wealth of artistic and naturalistic values as well as the architectural value of its "construction", leave Castel Gandolfo's mark imprinted on the hearts of anyone who has ever visited it.
