The Vatican has opened its railway station for tourists to take the train to the Pope’s summer residence and gardens at Castel Gandolfo. It’s the best opportunity yet for a glimpse of the way past popes lived – amid formal beauty but in great loneliness
On a hill above the lakeside town of Castel Gandolfo, about 15 miles from Rome, a wooden crucifix overlooks the vineyard that produces wine for the Vatican sacristy. The hill tumbles down, through shaded olive groves and alfalfa fields grazed by the Holy See’s cows and donkeys, on towards the Mediterranean.This view, from the papal summer residence, has been enjoyed by popes since the seventeenth century – until, that is, Pope Francis. His decision not to move to the cool of the countryside during the summer
17 September 2015, The Tablet
All aboard for the papal tour
Get Instant Access
Continue Reading
Register for free to read this article in full
Subscribe for unlimited access
From just £30 quarterly
Complete access to all Tablet website content including all premium content.
The full weekly edition in print and digital including our 179 years archive.
PDF version to view on iPad, iPhone or computer.
Already a subscriber? Login