The caldera of Nemi and Castel Gandolfo between popes and strawberries

Everything is ready, in Nemi, for the Strawberry Festival, which will take place on the first weekend of June. Already now, during the ascent to Palazzo Ruspoli, reading verses from the poem The Pilgrimage of the Young Harold written by Lord Byron, one can buy baskets full of these small red fruits that are the pride of the village built above the caldera filled with blue water. Legend has it that these wild strawberries were born from the tears shed by Venus over the death of Adonis. During the event, there will be a parade of strawberry girls, who wear a red skirt, black corset and white blouse for the occasion. It is possible to take a panoramic tour of part of the lake circumference, visit the remains of the Sanctuary of Diana Nemorense, while the Museum of the Roman Ships that were found in the caldera is unfortunately closed. On the way back from the Colli Albani to Rome, one cannot resist the temptation to admire Lake Albano opposite, also of volcanic origin, the Gallery with the portraits of all the Popes from 1500 to the present day in the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, the Antiquarium on the ground floor of Villa Barberini and the Vatican Gardens, hoping perhaps to meet Pope Leo XIV, who resides there every Tuesday, also devoting himself to his beloved tennis. For dinner, one chooses the Pagnanelli restaurant also famous for its lake view.