014 – Castel Gandolfo

On Friday, I took a group of students to the Pope’s summer residence. A real dump let me tell ya! Overlooking the Lago Albano, the former Barberini palace was given to the Vatican in 1871 as means for the Pope to vacation. It served a role in during the wars as a shelter for the wounded and suffering. Pope Benedict XVI was the last pope to utilize the Papal Palace.

I did not take this picture, but I did take these pictures:

The view after walking up from the train station.

The Pope’s chair at the palace.

The black sand on the beaches of Lago Albano.

JPD