The church
Our Lady of the Snows is a simple, quiet church, where the silence carries the weight of centuries of prayer. As you step inside, the noise of the world remains outside. Cistercian monks built it when, in 1237, Pope Gregory IX entrusted Palazzola to them, in keeping with the austerity of their Order: no ornamentation to distract from prayer, only light, stone, and peace. After them, the Franciscans prayed there for four hundred and sixty years, and since 1920, the seminarians of the Venerable English College. The church shares its name with Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, and its feast day is 5 August, remembering the legendary summer snowfall which, according to tradition, indicated where that basilica should be built. Behind the altar, four portraits of saints can be admired: Ralph Sherwin, Edward the Confessor, John Fisher and Thomas More. The altar, restored in 1993–94, preserves a 14th-century Agnus Dei and the relics of John Wall, a former student of the College and a Franciscan martyr; at its foot, beneath a glass panel, lie mosaics that are both Roman and medieval in origin. The church is always open to guests, whether for a spontaneous visit, a whispered prayer or a moment of peace away from the noise of the world.
The Cloister
The cloister preserves the memory of those who have lived in Palazzola over the centuries. It has been home to the Cistercian monks, who were granted Palazzola in 1237; the Franciscan friars, who remained there for over four centuries; and, from 1920 onward, the English seminarians of the Venerable English College during the summers. Around 1873, Henry James, the American writer and author of famous novels, also visited Palazzola. In his travel writings, he described it as a convent that nothing can spoil, and recalled with pleasure the small, shady garden overlooking the lake. Some of the ancient columns can still be seen today in the windows of the Old Hall.
The Library
Amidst the bookshelves, the day slows down and thought deepens. It is a space of silence and reflection, where every book opens a window, and every page invites you to pause. In this house, study has always gone hand in hand with prayer and contemplation, just as it did in the 1920s, when the seminarians of the Venerable English College spent their summers here, combining rest, study and prayer whilst practising the art of preaching in their ‘Sermon Clubs’. Guests are welcome to use the library freely as a reading room, to study or simply to sit in silence.
The Hinsley Room
The Hinsley Room is one of Palazzola’s most intimate spaces, created to welcome guests in an atmosphere of quiet and warm hospitality. Named after Arthur Hinsley, the Rector who brought the house to the Venerable English College in 1920, it keeps the understated charm of a drawing room with a view over Lake Albano, where time seems to slow down. Beneath the high vaulted ceiling, vintage armchairs, a Persian rug and a grand piano invite guests to read, talk or listen to music. The light from the tall window, together with the soft glow of the chandeliers, makes for a bright, restful setting, with the waters of the lake always within sight.
St. Edward Room
The St Edward Room is the hall dedicated to gatherings and meetings, often chosen for conferences, seminars and workshops. Bright and comfortable, with a glimpse of the blue lake visible through the windows, it offers a simple yet welcoming atmosphere, easily suitable for a variety of meeting formats. Outside, the terrace overlooking Lake Albano is the ideal spot for breaks and for a chat on the sidelines of events.
Games Room
In the Hume Room, billiards and table tennis bring the colder days to life, alongside a selection of board games for moments of shared fun.
The garden
Designed in the traditional Italian style, the gardens at Palazzola invite you to slow down: a place where a minute happily turns into an hour. Enjoy a walk along the shaded paths, admire the views of Lake Albano, or simply bring a book and spend some time relaxing in the fresh air.
Swimming pool
The 25-metre-long swimming pool at Palazzola captures guests' attention the moment they arrive. On lazy, sunny summer days, it is the ideal place to sunbathe or take a refreshing swim. From May to October, the poolside bar ‘La Dolce Vita’ helps to make the hottest afternoons even more enjoyable with its relaxed atmosphere.
Tennis, volleyball and outdoor games
Above the gardens lies the recently renovated tennis court, while a large adjoining lawn offers space for every kind of ball game. The volleyball court, next to the pool, completes the leisure options available to all guests.
Walks in the surrounding area
The landscape around Palazzola changes with every step. Walking through the woods towards Albano or Castel Gandolfo (around 45–60 minutes on foot, almost entirely away from traffic), you will discover ever-new views over the lake. Albano has shops, cafés, cash machines, a post office and supermarkets for every need. For a longer walk, you can follow the path that runs all the way around Lake Albano, reached by crossing the tennis court and the games field, and why not treat yourself to a moment barefoot in its cool waters. Rocca di Papa and Nemi are also within easy reach; Nemi is famous for its lake and for the wild strawberries (fragoline di Nemi) that grow along its shores.