The original ruins of the town of Ninfa existed as far back as the 8th Century. However in the 12th Century the area, supported a rival to the pope of the time and was sacked by the pontiff’s defender, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. By the 14th Century it had around 150 large palaces but it came to grief during inter-clan wars and Ninfa fell into ruin in 1382. The abandoned medieval town has been declared a National Monument. The gardens ruins here cover approximately 100 hectares and guided tours are available.
