NINFA GARDENS

The small town of Ninfa was founded in Roman times and it is thought to have been a small farming village built around a temple dedicated to the nymphs.

The first witnessing of its existance dates back to the 8th century, when Pope Zaccaria was donated Ninfa as a sign of gratitude for having supported Constantino Copronimo V against the advance of the Longobards. 

Problems were also caused by the advance of the Pontine swamps and so the road had to be diverted towards the mountains, making Ninfa an important centre on the commercial  route, so much that the payment of a tax was requested to whoever wanted to use the road. 

Although the town was under the ownership of the Papal State, over the centuries, after numerous events and periods of crisis, it reached its highest expansion under Piero Caetani, who in 1300, built a tower, the Town Hall, new mills and two hospitals. 

The town of Ninfa ceased its exinstence in 1381, when Pope Urbano VI entered a conflict with Onorato Caetani I, who was supported by the Avignonese Pope Clemente VII, and order the town to be sacked and destroyed. 

Only in 1921, thanks to the intervention of Gelasio Caetani, the area was reclaimed and a summer residence of the Caetani family was built. Some of the ancient ruins were restored and Ninfa became one the most beautiful gardens worlwide, where history and nature come together.