Palace of Castel Gandolfo

The Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo is a 135-acre complex overlooking Lake Albano, long used as the popes’ summer residence. Built in the 17th century by architect Carlo Maderno for Pope Urban VIII, it stands on the site of Emperor Domitian’s Roman villa. The Vatican acquired the property in 1596, and it later gained extraterritorial status under the 1929 Lateran Treaty.

Many popes used Castel Gandolfo as a retreat, and popes Pius XII and Paul VI died there. During World War II it sheltered refugees and civilians, though hundreds died in a 1944 bombing. After Pope Francis chose not to use it as a residence, the main palace opened to the public as a museum in 2016, while the gardens and farm also became accessible.

In 2025, Pope Leo XIV revived the tradition of summer stays at Castel Gandolfo, residing in the nearby Villa Barberini, while the Apostolic Palace itself remains a museum.

The complex remains Holy See property with full extraterritorial protections under Italian law.

Address
Piazza della Libertà 1, Castel Gandolfo, Italy

Established
17th century