Leave your daily life behind, come to Palazzola, and leave refreshed and revitalised. A 13th-century Cistercian monastery which has been fully refurbished and modernised, Palazzola welcomes travellers from all over the world for holidays, retreats, weddings, and conferences.
Situated just outside Rome, Palazzola is in the cooler hills of the Castelli region south of the city. This makes it an ideal resort for travellers visiting the Eternal City who want to get away from the hubbub and maelstrom of urban life, while still keeping close to all that Rome has to offer.
A Catholic institution, welcoming everyone
Originally founded as a Cistercian monastery, Palazzola is now owned by the Venerable English College, a seminary in Rome run by the Catholic Church in England and Wales. The whole College visits Palazzola several times a year (it is not then available for bookings). You certainly don’t have to be Catholic to stay at Palazzola, but know that our Catholic identity informs all that we do for our guests.
Italian family hospitality at its finest
Giuseppe and Julie Piacentini are responsible for providing all Palazzola’s guests with an authentically Italian experience. Giuseppe, born and bred at Palazzola, represents the third generation of his family to look after the property. His father, Alfredo, was caretaker and icon at Palazzola for over 60 years. Good food, local wines, and friendly service are the hallmarks of Palazzola’s old-fashioned hospitality.
An idyllic rural retreat
Set above Lago Albano, with views across the Lake to the Pope’s summer residence, Castel Gandolfo, Palazzola commands a position where guests can’t help but relax. A variety of local hikes are on our doorstep, together with opportunities for mountain-biking nearby. But if that all sounds too strenuous, many guests choose to spend their time by the fabulous outdoor pool, in the carefully-manicured Italian garden, or curled up in the library with a good book.