From the small area just in front, you can admire one of the most beautiful panoramas of the Castelli Romani, completely dominating Lake Albano. Although the property comes under the town of Rocca di Papa it is easier to reach from Castel Gandolfo by following a path that starts from the upper road surrounding the lake (better known as Galleria di Sopra).

The name clearly indicates the pre-existence of Roman ruins, in fact, the garden of the convent overlays a substructure of an ancient Roman villa.

Subject to the Basilica of San Saba since the 13th century, the Chiesa di Santa Maria di Palazzolo became Abbey in 1244. A long degrading period followed until 1740 when Giuseppe Fonseca, Bishop of Oporto, rebuilt the Convent. Currently the convent is owned by the English College which welcomes tourists visiting the Roman Castles and uses it for the holidays of its seminarians during the first 2 weeks of July.

The church has a simple single aisle and inside conserves a work by Antoniazzo Romano.

Along the approaching road, there is an excavated Roman tomb in peperino stone; the elegant façade is decorated with twelve bundles of sticks each tied with a leather strip, which inspired Boni when creating the symbol of fascism.