The park was created specifically to manage the repeated flooding of the Aniene River that plagued Tivoli for centuries.
The project involved excavating two long tunnels through the Monte Catillo mountain to divert the river course.
The Grande Cascata is a man-made waterfall engineered to protect the city from floods.
The park features the ruins of a Roman villa belonging to Manlius Vopiscus, a wealthy Roman poet and friend of Statius.
The gorge, known as the 'Valle dell'Inferno' (Valley of Hell), was a popular subject for 18th and 19th-century Romantic painters.
The park contains the remains of the ancient Acropolis of Tivoli, including the circular Temple of Vesta perched above the cliffs.
The water flow is significantly reduced in summer months to prioritize the town's water supply and environmental conservation.
The site was largely reclaimed from decades of neglect and industrial dumping during the FAI restoration that began in the early 2000s.
Villa Gregoriana is a park managed by the FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano) located in a steep gorge carved by the Aniene River in Tivoli. It features a dramatic system of paths winding through deep ravines, waterfalls, and Roman-era ruins. Pope Gregory XVI commissioned the park in 1835 to divert the Aniene River and prevent destructive flooding in the town. The hydraulic engineering project includes the massive 'Great Waterfall' (Grande Cascata) and the 'Bernini Tunnel' designed to channel water. Visitors navigate a network of trails that descend into the Valley of Hell. The park houses the ruins of the Villa of Manlius Vopiscus and the Temple of Vesta. Much of the site was abandoned after World War II but was restored and reopened to the public in 2005. The park creates a unique microclimate due to the depth of the gorge and the constant presence of moving water.
The viewing platform overlooking the Grande Cascata, providing a direct perspective of the water plummeting into the gorge.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes as the stone paths are uneven, steep, and slippery near the water.
Bring a light waterproof jacket or poncho if visiting during high-water seasons, as the mist from the falls can soak the paths.
Carry a water bottle as there are few services once you begin the descent into the ravine.
Do not attempt this hike if you have limited mobility, as the route requires navigating numerous stairs and steep inclines.
Closed on Mondays except during public holidays; may close during extreme weather conditions due to risk of rockfall or flooding.
Stay strictly on the marked paths to avoid dangerous drops and preserve the sensitive gorge vegetation.
