Hadrian’s Villa, Italian Villa Adriana country residence developed at Tivoli near Rome by the emperor Hadrian. This villa is considered the encapsulation in architecture of the extravagance and tastefulness of the Roman world. Covering around 7 square miles (18 square km), the complex was more a royal garden city than a traditional villa. Its buildings were designed to follow the characteristic lay of the land and included baths and shower buildings, libraries, sculpture gardens, theaters, alfresco dining halls, pavilions, and private suites. A visit to the two sites entails garden walks and an assortment of old architectural styles—also a peaceful, rich escape from the city and some of the best normal water in Italy.