At the top of a long, winding avenue lined with pine trees, above Lake Albano, lies the town of Castel Gandolfo. Within it stands the Apostolic Palace, which served as the Pope’s summer residence and vacation home. Although the palace is located within Castel Gandolfo, it holds an extraterritorial status as one of the properties of the Holy See and does not fall under Italian jurisdiction. It is now open as a museum.

The castle itself dates back to the 13th century. It was purchased by the Vatican in 1596 when the Savelli family, who owned the castle, failed to repay a debt to the Pope.

Opposite the summer palace is Piazza della Libertà, at the center of which is a Bernini fountain. From there begins Corso della Repubblica, a long street lined with shops, cafés, restaurants, and art galleries. Behind the church of San Tommaso da Villanova, which stands in the square, there is a terrace offering a panoramic view of the lake.