Imperial Palace Rome
The Imperial Palace is a large Roman villa that was built by Emperor Hadrian in the early second century. This palace covered over 250 acres and had 30 buildings inside it. Hadrian preferred to stay at the palace instead of in Rome. The palace is actually built just outside of Rome in Tibur.
The way Hadrian came to power was the primary reason. When Emperor Trajan named Hadrian his successor many where surprised. Then shortly after Trajan’s death Hadrian’s closest competitors for the throne were assassinated. This did not make him well liked in the city of Rome especially since he was born in Spain. This damaged his relationship with the Senate.
Ancient Tibur is now the modern Tivoli and home of the Villa Hadriana which became the imperial residence. There it was located on a hillside that is accessible via land from Rome and by boat on the Aniene which was easily navigated at the time. The most practical reason for it to be built here was that there was a large supply of tufa and lime to produce the palace. After Hadrian died it was still used as the palace of the emperor until the empire fell. From the Imperial Palace you can see the ruins of the Bath of Septimius Serverus.