For those coming from our accommodation at Villa Palazzola, we have organised a return bus from the Villa, departing at approximately 9.15am, and returning after the ceremony. The Church of Sant’Anna is approximately 30kms from Villa Palazzola.

The church is the parish church of the Vatican City, and is placed under the jurisdiction of the Vicariate of the Vatican City. It is located beside the Porta Sant’Anna (Saint Anne’s Gate), an international border crossing between Vatican City State and Italy. The Church can be found to the right side of St. Peter’s Basilica and square. Please see map below.

Men – morning suit or lounge suit

Women – day dress and hat

If you wish to change outfits for the reception you will be able to do so at Villa Palazzola before welcome drinks.

Located just beyond Porta Sant’Anna, the history of the church begins in 1565 and is closely linked to the Papal Palafrenieri (or Parafrenieri, Grooms), court gentlemen originally responsible for the papal stables, who had St Anne as their patron. Before this date the confraternity met in the chapel dedicated to the saint in St Peter’s: however, when the Palafrenieri obtained from Pope Pius IV the authorization to build a church in Borgo Pio, they entrusted the project for its construction to Giacomo Barozzi, known as il Vignola, one of the great Italian architects of 16th-century Mannerism, whose imprint is still evident despite the changes and restorations of the following centuries.

Consecrated in 1583, Sant’Anna is one of the first churches in Rome with an elliptical plan. The new form gained such success that was later used in many other religious buildings, for example the Baroque churches of Sant’Andrea al Quirinale and San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane. In the early 18th century, the façade underwent the first alterations: the architect Alessandro Specchi created the balustrade on the sides of the pediment and the two bell towers. The angels on the sides of the pediment were sculpted by Michael Maille and Francesco Moderati and reflect the late Baroque taste in the heavy and wide drapery and in the strong contrasts of light and shadow.

The inner walls of the church were originally white, but in the 18th century, under the influence of the Baroque style, they were coloured in light blue, cream and gray and decorated with plenty of gilt and stucco. Sculptor Giovan Battista de Rossi made the stucco angels holding garlands above the doors and the shells with festoons decorating the four frescoes with episodes from the life of St Anne. Despite the rich decoration, the essential lines of the interior were not altered and the 16th-century layout is still visible. The confraternity briefly exhibited in St. Anne Caravaggio’s Madonna and Child with St. Anne it commissioned on 31 October 1605: the painting was now hangs in the museum of the Galleria Borghese.

Vatican City is the world’s smallest fully independent nation-state. Its medieval and Renaissance walls form its boundaries except on the southeast at St. Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro). Of the six entrances, only three—the piazza, the Arco delle Campane (Arch of the Bells) in the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica, and the entrance to the Vatican Museums and Galleries in the north wall—are open to the public. The most imposing building is St. Peter’s Basilica, built during the 4th century and rebuilt during the 16th century. Erected over the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle, it is the second largest religious building (after Yamoussoukro Basilica) in Christendom.

The Vatican palace is the residence of the pope within the city walls. The Holy See is the name given to the government of the Roman Catholic Church, which is led by the pope as the bishop of Rome.

Vatican City has its own telephone system, post office, gardens, astronomical observatory, radio station, banking system, and pharmacy, as well as a contingent of Swiss Guards responsible for the personal safety of the pope since 1506.

Special extraterritorial privileges are extended to more than 10 other buildings in Rome and to Castel Gandolfo, the pope’s summer residence in the Alban Hills. In addition, Vatican City maintains embassies in numerous foreign nations. Villa Palazzola, where our wedding reception will be, looks out across Lake Albano to Castel Gandolfo, which is the also part of the Vatican, and the Pope’s summer residence.

Villa Palazzola was built on the site of a Roman Consul’s prestigious summer estate, dramatically perched high above the extinct volcanic Lake Albano in the Alban Hills, 18 miles south of Rome. The Cistercians, who formed the first monastic community here, built the Villa’s beautifully restored church, Our Lady of the Snows, in the 13th century. The Villa is located among 16 acres of protected forest, sports grounds, nature trails and classic Italian viewing gardens. From its terraced sides, there’s a breathtaking westerly view over Lake Albano to the Pope’s summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, Rome and the Mediterranean Sea.

The Villa has a 25 metre swimming pool, volley ball court, tennis court and five a side pitch. There is a pool table and table tennis table in the games room. Villa Palazzola is an ex-convent and is of a rustic nature with a combination of ensuite rooms and rooms that are with shared facilities. The villa is situated in the Alban Hills of Rome and is very picturesque. Further details about the villa can be found at: www.palazzola.it

Please be aware Palazzola is set in a rural location and there are no clubs or pubs nearby. However, it is only a short taxi ride to Rome. There are lots of beautiful villages nearby to explore.

All meals are set times and set menus, however, Palazzola will cater for any allergies or special diets required if pre-booked. The food is really good rustic Italian fare and all meals come with house wine (which we can guarantee to be excellent). We have organised for a bar to be open for the most of the weekend, and drinks not provided as part of the package can be ordered from the bar and charged to your room tab. They serve a very generous Gin and Tonic at Palazzola, it’s one of the reasons we love it so much!

Please note that there are no ATM machines in the close vicinity so please come armed with cash if you need it. However, extras such as drinks can be charged to your room account and these accounts may be paid with credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Maestro) before your departure.

Villa Palazzola also offers pool towels, hairdryers and fans on a hire basis.

Villa Palazzola is 20 minutes by taxi from Ciampino Airport and 40 minutes from Fiumicino Airport. The price of a taxi from Fiumicino airport to the Villa Palazzola would be approx. 60 Euros.

From Ciampino (nearest airport) the prices are approx. 30 Euros (1-3 people), 35 Euros (4-5 people), or 45 Euros (6-8 people).

Taxis can be booked in advance through Villa Palazzola – please email quoting “James and Natsumi’s wedding” to Villa Palazzola with your flight numbers and dates and times and they will book the taxi for you as they have good fixed prices. If you do not pre-book your taxi, please make a deal on the price before you enter the taxi to avoid any unpleasant surprises. If the price is well over those quoted above, change taxis.

If you are coming from Rome city centre then you can get a taxi from the city centre or travel by train. The cost of a taxi would be approx. 50 – 75 Euros depending on the number of passengers travelling.  If you wish to travel by train there are hourly trains from Roma Termini station to Marino Laziale station. From Marino Laziale a taxi can take you to the villa for around 15 Euros. This is a small local station so we would recommend you book a taxi to collect you from the station. Villa Palazzola will be able to help you with this but please contact them well in advance of your arrival.

If you are coming by car then there is limited parking, so please can you confirm this with Villa Palazzola before your arrival.

There are lots of things to do in the area around the villa. The villa is situated in stunning surrounds and there are great woodland walks on offer. In particular you can walk to nearby villages which all have local specialities like Alpine strawberries or wine making. Please speak to the staff at Villa Palazzola who are able to provide more details.

Villa del Cardinale, Rocca di Pappa, Rome.

Very close by to Villa Palazzola, is the more luxurious Villa del Cardinale. It is less than a 10 min walk to the Villa.

Email: info@villadelcardinale.it

Website: https://www.hotelcastelvecchio.com/villadelcardinale/en/

Rocca di Pappa is the village closest to Villa Palazzola. There are lots of bed and breakfast options available on booking.com

Castel Gondolfo is another near-by town, about 4kms drive from Villa Palazzola.

Domus Australia – boutique Hotel, run by the Australian Church in Rome. This is one of the few places in Rome where you will find a sanctuary of quiet and simple luxury. Comfortable beds, air conditioning, and English-speaking staff who will assist you organising tours and transport.

Tel: +39 06 48 88 781

Email: info@domusaustralia.org

Website: https://www.domusaustralia.org/en/