Retreat-Holidays
Make retreats a treat and holidays holy
Italy: The Villa Palazzola
The Villa Palazzola is the much-loved retreat house of the English College, Rome (a Roman Catholic seminary). An Ancient Roman monument indicates that there was a Consul's villa on the site 2000 years ago, built close to the even older Sacred Way (Via Sacra), which we shall be visiting on our first excursion.
The Villa is an old Cistercian monastery with stunning views across Lake Albano.
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. There is plenty of opportunity for walking, within and beyond the property.
At the heart of the Villa is a beautifully restored 13th-century chapel, where Mass is normally celebrated every day. The house also has a more intimate prayer room.
Other rooms include a library, a bar, a common room and, of course, a dining room. The food is very good and wine with lunch and dinner is included. There is free internet access, both by wifi and on the Villa's own terminals.
We have booked accommodation for our guests in the “New” (ie 18th century!) Wing of theVilla, which has 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.
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