Retreat-Holidays
Italy: The Villa Palazzola
Roman Catholic priests who were trained at the English College, Rome, tend to go dewy-eyed at the mention
of the Villa Palazzola, the College’s much-loved retreat-house up in the Alban Hills. The house is an old Cistercian monastery with stunning views across the lake to Castel Gandolfo, where the Pope has his summer residence.
An Ancient Roman monument indicates that there was a Roman Consul's villa on the site 2000 years ago.
We have booked
accommodation for our
guests in the “New” (ie
18th century!) Wing of the
Villa, which has just been
refurbished to make all
the bedrooms en suite.
They weren’t allowed to
alter the Old Wing,
because some of the
walls go back to Ancient
Roman times.
The house and grounds are extraordinarily peaceful and prayerful. There are 16 acres of grounds, varying from a terrace and neat lawns to natural woodland, nature trails and caves. There is plenty of opportunity for walking, within and beyond the property.
TheVilla has a beautifully restored 13th-century church with an early
Christian marble carving of the
Lamb of God set into the altar.
The house also has a more intimate prayer room as well as a library, a bar and a common room. The food is good and wine with lunch and dinner is included.
Italy: Dates, price and flights
Website of the Villa Palazzola