Villa Borghese in Rome: description, photos and reviews. orange garden in rome

City parks in Rome are a separate category of attractions. Well-groomed gardens with villas, lakes, green lawns, monuments from different eras and panoramic platforms with breathtaking views of the city will impress any traveler. So, we will tell you about the most beautiful parks in Rome.

1. Villa Borghese

85 acres of breathtakingly beautiful park and green garden originating from Pincho Hill (the most beautiful panorama Rome) belonged to the Borghese royal family until the end of 1800. Here are some very interesting places: art lovers will appreciate great collections Galleries Borghese, animal lovers can visit the Bioparc (a modern version of the open zoo), movie lovers at Casa del Cinema, sports lovers can go for a ride on rented bikes or go jogging. Ride a boat on the lake, feed the ducks. Or just take a walk and have a picnic.

2. Villa Torlonia - Villa Torlonia

A couple of blocks from Villa Borghese is Villa Torlonia Park. Bought in 1797 by Giovanni Torlonia and subsequently converted into monumental complex With beautiful garden, she went down in history as the "house of Mussolini."

3. Villa Ada - villa Ada

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In the north of Rome is the largest royal park of the capital - Villa Ada.It is also the richestfauna diversity park: big lake, cypresses, pines, palm trees, ice skating in winter and gymnastic routes make it super popular the Romans themselves.

4. Villa Celimontana or Celio Park


It is a small green oasis between the Colosseum and the Baths of Caracalla. Villa is the residence Italian geographical society, which contains some of the most important maps of Italy.

5. Villa Pamphili - Villa Pamphili


Huge and very green Park a little further from the center (near the Gianicolo hill). Here is the ancient Villa Algardi. In summer or spring, you can not only have a picnic, a walk or a photo session, but also a real bike tour organized by special organizations.

In the excursion section on our website, you can always book a tour of the most beautiful places in Rome

Rome is a vibrant city with a population approaching 3 million people. However, there are many green spaces and peaceful areas.

If you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of tourists gathered around the sights, then be sure to visit one of the charming parks of this city. Here you can have a picnic, read a book and just dream, lying on the soft green grass. In Rome, you can visit some of the most beautiful parks and gardens in the world.

Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese is the Roman version of the famous CentralPark. Until the 17th century, vineyards were located here, and later

Scipio Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V, pitched beautiful park. In 1903, the park was purchased by the state and donated to the city.

The territory of the park is quite large, so you may need a bicycle to explore it. Bicycle rental costs about 4 EUR per hour and 10 EUR if you take it for the whole day.

The park has picturesque lake, along which you can ride a boat and admire the temple located on a small island with an amazing water clock.

How to get: you should walk along Trinita dei Monti Boulevard, descending from the top of the Spanish Steps.

Villa opening hours: daily, except Monday, from 9:00 to 19:00.

Ticket price: a general ticket costs 8.5 EUR, a reduced ticket costs 5.25 EUR.

Roman Zoo at Villa Borghese

This is one of the oldest zoos in Europe (founded in 1911), but in the mid-1990s it was converted from a regular zoo, where animals were kept in cages, into a biological garden. Now the animals are kept here in their natural habitat. This garden is home to endangered animals, as well as injured animals undergoing rehabilitation before returning to the wild.

How to get: The Roman Zoo is located in the northeastern part of the park.

Working mode: daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (until 7 p.m. on weekends).

Gallery Borghese

This gallery is located in the central part of the Villa. Art objects presented in the halls of this gallery number in the thousands.

sculptures, most of which are creations of the Bernini dynasty. Among the paintings presented on the second floor of the gallery, you can see the works of Claude Monet, Raphael, Rubens, as well as many other famous painters.

Address: Villa Borghese, Vialedelle Belli Arti, 131

How to get there: take the metro to the Spagna station.

Opening hours: daily, except Monday, from 8:30 to 19:30.

Ticket price: general - 8 EUR, preferential - 4 EUR.

Villa Giulia

This museum of Etruscan art was founded in 1889. Here you can see Etruscan vases and other finds from places such as Lazio, Umbria and Etruria. Villa Giulia is located in the northwestern part of the park.

Opening hours: daily, except Monday, from 8:30 to 19.30.

Ticket price: general - 4 EUR, for pensioners and students - 2 EUR.

Pincio and puppet shows

Villa Borghese is divided into several different park areas. When planning your walk, set aside some time to visit the 19th-century terrace and the Pincio Gardens, which overlook Piazza del Popolo.

From here opens great view in addition, you can ride very interesting old carousels and enjoy fascinating performances in the Teatro del Pinocchio puppet theater.

Janiculum Park

Janiculum Hill is always full of visitors and this is very easy to explain. The view from the top of the hill acts like an aphrodisiac on the mind and imagination of people. Come here at sunset to watch the terracotta roofs bathe in golden sunlight and enjoy the glow of the domes that adorn the Pantheon and St. Peter's Basilica. See how the monument to Vittorio sparkles in the rays of sunset against the backdrop of the Apennine mountains. The whole city is illuminated with pinkish hues and acquires a special charm, thanks to which everyone who has watched this magical picture falls in love with Rome forever.

Address: Via del Gianicolo.

How to get there: buses 34, 46, 46B, 64, 98 or 881 go here.

Aqua Paola

Another attraction of the park is the giant Aqua Paola Fountain, made of marble. Roman newlyweds are sure to come here during their wedding walk. There are photographs of this fountain in the wedding album of every Roman family.

Church of San Pietro in Montorio

Going down the slope of the Janiculum along Via Garibaldi, you will see the church of San Pietro in Montorio, which is a miniature embodiment of all the features of the Renaissance. This is a tiny round Doric temple built in 1508 on the site where, according to erroneous belief, St. Peter was crucified.

Puppet show

To the north of Piazza Garibaldi, under the shade of trees, is the Teatrino di Pulcinella al Gianicolo pavilion. Here, in one of the most beautiful places in Rome, on the Janiculum every Saturday and Sunday you can watch the show of Pulcinella and his puppet friends on the stage of a small street theater. These performances will enchant not only children, but also adults.

Working hours: screenings are held on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00.

Price: All performances are free, but you can donate any amount to the theater.

Villa Pamphili

This is one of the most beautiful parks in Rome, mainly because of the Villa Doria Pamphili, which is a large mansion with a sunny yellow façade. The gardens surrounding the villa also make an indelible impression. Also worthy of your attention is a pond, on the surface of which graceful swans glide. This is the perfect park for a picnic with friends.

Address: Via Aurelia Antica

How to get there: by bus 881, N20 or N5. Alternatively, you can take the Baldi Degli Ubaldi metro station and walk to the park in 10 minutes.

Villa Ada

Villa Ada is a large spacious park ideal for active rest. You can rent canoes and bicycles and go horseback riding. Bring your bathing suits for a swim in the large public pool. Here you can just walk along the ennobled green alleys. To combine exercise and history, visit Monte Antenne, an old Roman settlement that is under archaeological excavations. The area of ​​this park is approximately 450 acres. Here you will definitely not be bored.

Address: Via dei Ponte Salario

How to get there: by tram line FC3, get to the Campi Sportivi stop.

orange garden

On the Aventine hill, there is a small charming garden full of orange trees. Come here with friends and a bottle of white wine to have a great time and enjoy the panorama of the city. Simply fantastic views open from here, and the aroma of flowering orange trees will allow you to forget about all your worries and take a break from the bustle of the city.

Address: Viadi Santa Sabina

How to get there: take the metro to the Circo Massimo station and walk up the slope for 10 minutes.

Saint Paul's Cathedral

St. Peter's Basilica is located near the famous Roman Colosseum, on top of the Esquiline Hill. The cathedral is the largest in the entire Vatican, and is also considered the main Catholic cathedral of the city-country. St. Peter's Basilica is remarkable for its history, the beauty of the interior and facade, as well as the size of the building.

Capitoline Museum

Capitoline Museum, located in Rome, is considered one of the oldest museums in the world that opened its doors to the public. The Capitol occupies the buildings of three palaces at once, designed by Michelangelo himself. It was thanks to this genius of artistic thought that the palace was built exactly in the form in which you see it.

Pantheon

Rome is famous not only for the fact that all roads lead to it, it houses the Colosseum and carrier pigeons. Less well known and ancient temple- The Pantheon, created by the best Roman architects back in 27 BC.

The park of Villa Borghese is the most beautiful place in Rome. The park is one of largest territories the Italian capital, its area is 80 hectares. The park is built in the traditional English style, which pleases the eyes of many Romans and guests of the eternal city.

The park was laid out in the 17th century on the site of former vineyards by Cardinal Scipione Borghese. The presence of ancient statues in it has become the trademark of the park. Those who came here especially admired the sculpture "Borghesis Wrestler", which fell to the liking of Napoleon Bonaparte himself.

Today the park houses several familiar Roman museums such as the Galleria Borghese, where you can see the largest collection of the Borghese family. In addition, the Villa Giulia National Museum presents the largest exposition of Etruscan art in the world.

Rainbow Magic Land Amusement Park

A huge amusement park is located near Rome on the territory of more than 600 thousand m2.

In fact, this is a whole city with a wide variety of entertainment for people of all ages. The park is divided into 24 themed areas and has more than 30 attractions for children and adults. Among them, reminiscent roller coaster"Shock" at an off-scale speed, Planetarium, "House of Houdini" with a swinging floor, "Flying Dutchman" and a lot of interesting things for all tastes. But the main theme of the park, which is reflected in the name, is Magic. Magical and completely magical adventures await every visitor here.

The recently opened park (it received its first visitors at the end of May 2011) claims to take a place in the top ten similar parks in Europe. The place is already so popular that Rainbow Magicland has even been included in the program. tourist routes Rome.

San Alessio Park (Roseto Comunale)

On the slope of the Aventine Hill is the San Alessio Park, which the Romans themselves call the rose garden. Here grow roses brought from different parts of the globe.

In Rome, there are many chic villas with magnificent green parks and gardens where you can walk completely. Some of them are located in the historical center, and some are on the hills, so V you can also enjoy The eternal City.

Villa Borghese)

Villa Borghese ) - the very park of Rome, the shape of which on the map resembles a heart. Here, large green parrots live on palm trees, and on the observation deck, which overlooks the whole of Rome, musicians constantly perform famous lyrical songs, and cheerful "gladiators" offer to take photos with them.

On the territory of the park there are several museums, a biopark, a cinema, a children's playground, statues of famous figures, including Pushkin and Gogol, fountains, a Laghetto pond, where you can swim in a boat, etc.

The most famous museum in the park is the Galleria Borghese ( Galleria Borghese ). It contains a truly impressive collection of eminent artists such as Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael, Monet, Rubens. Paid entrance. No less remarkable are other museums of the park, where the entrance is perfect: the house-workshop of the sculptor Pietro Canonica ( Museo Pietro Canonica ), as well as the Carlo Biloti Museum ( Museo Carlo Bilotti ), which contains the works of Warhol, De Chirico, Rivers, Severini.

Villa Doria Pamphili ( Villa Doria Pamphilj


Villa Doria Pamphili ( Villa Doria Pamphilj ) - this park, founded in XVII century, the largest and greenest in Rome. The area of ​​the park is as much as 9 km². On its territory are located the ancient Villa Algardi ( Villa Algardi ), cafes, playgrounds and lots and lots of greenery. It's not the most popular tourist place so it's always calm and romantic here. In summer, the park hosts international music festivals. The Romans themselves also like to run and relax from the noisy city here.

Villa Ada


Villa Ada )- this large park is considered the richest in diversity of fauna and flora. Here you can meet not only pine trees, cork oaks, noble laurels, but also hedgehogs, porcupines, rabbits, turtles, etc. Music festivals and performances are held here in summer. stand up Italian comedians. It is noteworthy that one of the streets is named after Alexander Solzhenitsyn. This royal park is very popular with the Romans.

Parco Savello)


Parco Savello ) or Orange Orchard ( Giardino degli Aranci - This park is located on the Aventino hill, designed by the architect Rafael de Vico. At the entrance you will see a fountain (formerly a Roman thermal bath), appearance which resembles the famous Mouth of Truth. Orange trees are planted in the park, the fruits of which, unfortunately, are not edible. The observation deck offers a very romantic panorama of the whole majestic Rome. One of the most magical attractions is located near the park - a keyhole, looking into which you will see almost three countries - Italy and the headquarters of the Order of Malta, why not magic?

Gianicolo)

Gianicolo ) or Janiculum - a Roman hill, named after the God Janus and King Latius. It is famous for its gorgeous view of the entire Eternal City. Here you can, walking through a small park, admire the Aqua Paolo fountain, which is supplied with water by the ancient aqueduct of Trajan, the monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, at the foot of which a cannon is fired daily at noon, the monument to Garibaldi's wife Anita, a lighthouse that was presented to Rome a hundred years ago Argentines, busts of the Garibaldians, as well as their grave with the motto "Rome or Death". Giannicolo Hill is located near the Vatican and.

We wish you a wonderful stay in Rome!

What associations come to mind when you mention Rome? Most likely, this is a majestic architecture, including the Colosseum, fountains, squares, the Forum and the Pantheon. The list of Roman architectural sights can be continued for a long time. However, have you ever thought that in Rome and its environs there are magnificent green oases, noteworthy? Still as it is - each district of the city has its own park or garden! The parks, villas and gardens of Rome are a wonderful respite from the stone pomp of the city and an escape from the summer heat, and most of them have a rich history. So, 7 best gardens and parks of the Eternal City.

1. Villa Borghese


Temple of Aesculapius. Villa Borghese.

is a huge park (80 ha) suitable both for walks in the shade of trees and for cultural enrichment. You can easily spend a whole day here. The Spanish Steps lead to Villa Borghese from the square of the same name (Piazza di Spagna), and the second entrance is from the side of Popolo Square ( Piazza del Popolo). By the way, there is an observation deck above Popolo Square on the territory of Villa Borghese.


Fountain of sea horses

Villa Borghese was located on the Pincio hill at the beginning of the 17th century on the territory of former vineyards belonging to the Borghese family. Cardinal Scipione Borghese (nephew of Pope Paul V and patron Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini) ordered to set up a park here and decorate it antique statues. The building of the villa, called the Casino Nobile, was designed by the architect Flaminio Ponzio and sketches by Cardinal Borghese himself. The sculptural design was done by Pietro and Lorenzo Bernini. Together, the construction was completed in 1633.


Villa Borghese. secret gardens

On the territory of Villa Borghese, in addition to the park, there were three closed gardens, called secret ones, which were not intended for the general public, but exclusively for family members and close associates. They grew oranges, lemons, many rare and exotic flowers. Today, the secret gardens are brought to a state as close as possible to what they were originally laid in the 17th century.


Villa Borghese. classic fountain

At the beginning of the 19th century, the territory of the park was significantly expanded through the purchase of a large plot of land, and the park was redevelopment and decorated in the English style. At the very beginning of the twentieth century. it was donated to the city. So today this amazing area with ponds, gazebos, fountains and sculptures is available to the public as well as the opportunity to contemplate the extensive collection of the Bogese Gallery.


Gallery Borghese

Gallery Borghese is definitely the most attractive place in the park. The fact is that the owners of the Villa revered high art and works flocked here, the authors of which were such masters as Raphael, Bernini, Lorenzo Loto and Caravaggio, Titian, Botticelli, Rubens, Veronese and others. Today, the collection includes about 560 exhibits, mainly Italian painting. The mansion itself is also admirable: magnificent wall and ceiling paintings, floor mosaics, and an elegant spiral staircase.


Villa Borghese. Map

In addition, in the park you will find, among other things:

  • Villa Giulia National Museum(part of the preserved former papal country summer residence), where today the largest collection of Etruscan art is located);
  • National Gallery of Modern Art;
  • Globus theatre" named after Silvano Toti, specializing in the plays of W. Shakespeare;
  • House Museum of Pietro Canonica, sculptor, painter, composer (1869-1959);
  • Carlo Bilotti Museum with works mainly by D. de Chirico, as well as temporary exhibitions of contemporary art;
  • Villa Medici- the Roman residence of the influential Medici family from Florence. Now the French Academy of Arts is located here;
  • Zoo - Roman biopark(Bioparco di Roma), founded in 1911;
  • Zoo museum(Museo Civico di Zoologia);
  • Cinema dei Piccoli- one of the oldest cinemas in Rome (opened in 1934). It is considered the smallest cinema in the world.
  • Among the numerous monuments to prominent people there are monuments to A.S. Pushkin and N.V. Gogol.

2. Villa Doria Pamphilj


Villa Doria Pamphili

The largest and, perhaps, the most comfortable villa in Rome with total area 184 hectares - Villa Doria Pamphili. It is located in the west of the historical part of the city, one and a half km south of the Vatican - on the Janiculum Hill just behind the ancient gates of Porta San Pancrazio (the ancient Via Aurelia originates from them).


Portrait of Innocent X. Diego Velasquez

The land with a small estate and vineyards on the Gianicolo hill (ancient Roman Janiculum) in the first half of the 17th century was acquired by the Pamphili family for suburban housing. Soon, among other things, Cardinal Giambattista Pamphili was elected pope and the construction of the villa became a status necessity for the now Innocent X, because the Pamphli family came from a simple provincial commune of Gubbio.

New dad did not get along with the "architectural star of Rome" Lorenzo Bernini, bringing the sculptor Alessandro Algardi closer to the court. Although he was not an architect, the pope entrusted him with the supervision of the design and construction of a new villa.


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Villa on a hill with a garden was built in 1644-1652. The initial project involved the construction of a central building with side extensions, but it was not completed. However, the elegant Casino del bel Respiro, set on a high plinth, became the center of the estate, towering over the geometrically laid out garden. The outer walls, modeled on Roman palaces and villas, were richly decorated with antique statues, busts and reliefs.


Fountain Snail. Bernini

One of the attractions of the palace is the fountain "Snail" by Bernini (nevertheless, he penetrated here too). The fact is that the sculptor intended to install it on Piazza Navona, but Pope Innocent X thought that the fountain was too small for large area. Then Olympia Pamphili bought it for a country residence. Subsequently, the Snail Fountain was moved to the Doria Pamphilj Palace, and an exact copy was installed in the villa.


Statue at Villa Doria Pamphilj

When in 1760 Girolamo Pamphili died without male heirs, Pope Clement XIII transferred the entire legacy of Pamphili to Giovanni Andrea Doria IV (his father was married to Anna Pamphili) and since then the villa has been called Doria Pamphili.

Under the new owners, new fountains and gates were built in the garden, the Baroque park, succumbing to fashion trends, was rebuilt in the “English taste” (today it was returned to its 16th century look), and ancient graves and sarcophagi can be found throughout the villa.


Arch of the Four Winds

In the middle of the 19th century, during the Risorgimento, as a result of the fighting between the French army and the army of Garibaldi, the nearby Villa Corsini was completely destroyed. Prince Doria Pamphili hurried to buy out the lands of Corsini, almost doubling the area of ​​​​the estate. On the site of the ruined villa, a monumental arch was erected, known as the Arch of the Four Winds - today it serves as the entrance to the park.

During their italian travel I. Turgenev was very fond of visiting Roman villas, in his letters he speaks of the Villa Doria Pamphilj as follows:

“On the third day, Botkin and I spent an amazing day at Villa Pamphili. The nature here is charmingly majestic - both gentle and feminine at the same time. I am in love with evergreen oaks, banded pines and distant pale blue mountains.”

In the 20th century, the Villa acquired new features: new extensions appeared, medieval sculptures supplemented the collection of ancient art, the interiors were rethought in the Art Nouveau style.


Chapel

Since 1971 the Villa Doria Pamphili » , bought by the city hall from the Doria family, is open to the public. Today in the park you can find jogging tracks, bird watching areas, join the evening yoga and enjoy blueberry muffins.

3. Villa Celimontana


Villa Celimontana. Statue

Villa Celimontana is an old estate with a large garden on the hill of Celio in one of the oldest parts of Rome - a great place to relax after visiting the Colosseum and the Forum. From the Colosseum, you can walk to the gates of the villa, following up Via Claudia. Here, in silence, you can walk along the paths along which there are a small number of preserved statues, you can relax on a bench or right on the grass under the pines, as they do locals(there are almost no tourists here).


Plan of the villa 1616

In the 16th century, more precisely in 1553, Giacomo Mattei bought a piece of land with vineyards covering the Celio hill - that is why the villa is called Celimontana, although it was once called Villa Mattei. One of the offspring of Giacomo - Chiriaco Mattei - being a great connoisseur of art, ordered the construction of the mansion of Giacomo del Duca - a student of the great Michelangelo. In 1580, the order was completed and a mansion in the classical style began to rise on the hill. Meanwhile, the esthete Chiriaco continued to expand his art collection, including placing ancient sculptures in the garden surrounding the mansion. They also say that Michelangelo Merisi de Caravaggio lived and worked in the Villa for several years, again thanks to Chiriaco Mattei, who was a great admirer of the artist’s work, patronized him in every possible way and even provided a table, shelter and workshop in his house.


Villa Celimontana. Arch.

And if the mansion has not changed much since then, then there is practically nothing left of the luxurious collection of Chiriaco Mattei in the villa - some exhibits are in the Vatican collections, in National Museum Rome, in the Louvre.

Villa Celimontana belonged to the Mattei family for a long 250 years, and then, having changed several owners, by 1926 became the property of the state and is open to public use.


Villa Celimontana

Now the building of Villa Celimontana houses the Geographical Society of Italy, and the park has a calm atmosphere, conducive to contemplative relaxation, romantic meetings, as well as for practices such as yoga, tai chi. Every summer, a jazz music festival is held here. Next to Villa Celimontana are the Dolabella arch, the churches of Santa Maria in Domnico and Santi Giovanni e Paolo.

4. Vatican Gardens (Giardini Vaticani)


View of St. Peter's Basilica from the Vatican Gardens

The gardens of the Vatican, together with the papal possessions, have been hidden behind a high wall from prying eyes for centuries. Only recently they opened for visits, although the number of excursions is limited, and the order of their conduct is strictly regulated. The first visitors were allowed into the gardens under Paul VI (1963-1978).


Vatican map

The gardens are located on the Vatican Hill and occupy an area of ​​about 20 hectares, which is about half of the territory of the entire Vatican. The age of the gardens is eight centuries, they are considered one of the oldest.


Gardens of the Vatican

The founder of the gardens is considered to be Pope Nicholas III (1216–1280), who set up an apothecary garden here and Orchard, as did many monasteries in the Middle Ages. Over time, the aesthetic component began to prevail over practical use and the garden was dressed up with flower beds, paths, sculptures and other architectural elements. The heyday of the gardens came during the Renaissance, when Pope Paul V of the Borghese family, at the beginning of his pontificate, took over the water supply of the Vatican. The Vatican gardens received water in abundance, and Pope Paul V, among other things, decided to decorate the garden beautiful fountains. Then, at the beginning of the 17th century, the Eagle Fountain appeared: an imperious sculpture of an eagle - the emblem of the Borghese family - sits majestically on top of an artificial grotto located above a wide pond. Since the middle of the 17th century, the Vatican green oasis has acquired the functions of a botanical garden. On this moment in the papal collection there are about seven thousand plants, among them there are very rare specimens.


Vatican Gardens (foto by Marusa Zerjal)

Today, walking through the paradise of the Vatican, we can see three main landscape zones: Italian, French and English gardens. The Italian garden is dominated by Mediterranean vegetation and container plantings are used. french garden ornamental plantings and sheared plants are distinguished. The English garden imitates natural natural landscape, maintaining the romantic atmosphere of an old neglected corner.

You can get into the Vatican Gardens only with a pre-purchased e-ticket (the sale opens 2 months before the visit). The ticket price includes a guided tour of the gardens (depending on the language, possible tour times will be suggested) plus a visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

The duration of the walking tour of the Gardens is two hours. As part of the visit, in addition to what was said earlier, you can see:

  • a small and picturesque villa of Pope Pius IV, likened to ancient Roman villas (this pearl of the Vatican Gardens contains preserved frescoes, stucco, mosaics and fountains of the 16th century);
  • numerous stone benches and sculptures, ancient towers (Vetrov, John, Gallinara) and moss-covered stairs, old Vatican walls;

Fountain “Galera”
  • fountains, of which there are more than 90 units (the most impressive are the already mentioned Eagle Fountain and Galley Fountain (XVII century), which is a small copy of a ship firing water from sixteen cannons);
  • radio tower (Vatican Radio now broadcasts in 32 languages ​​and also provides Internet broadcasting);
  • a helipad (the heliport was opened in 1976 and is used to communicate with Rome's airports and the countryside papal residence);
  • deserted Vatican train station (700 meters long railway line connected to the network of Italian railways, but now only freight traffic is carried out on it);

Palace of the Government of the Vatican
  • Palace of the Government of the Vatican (Palazzo Governatorato);
  • Ethiopian College - an educational institution for the preparation of Catholic missionaries to African countries;
  • ancient Abyssinian temple of St. Stephen;
  • breathtaking views of the dome of St. Petra, opening from everywhere.

And the last thing: the inhabitants of the Vatican, and even more so, the Pope himself, you will not meet along the way.

5. Aqueduct Park (Parco degli Acquedotti)


Aqueduct Park

The Aqueduct Park is first of all a place where antiquity reveals itself in pure form, without being embedded anywhere else. In addition, it is a quiet, light and airy park on the southeastern outskirts of Rome, where the townspeople walk their pets, ride bicycles, go jogging, play golf and have picnics - picnics in antiquity! It also makes for a great photo shoot.


Aqueduct Park (photo: Elina Brotherus)

The Aqueduct Park (Parco degli Acquedotti) in 1988 was included in regional park Appia Antica Parco, and the area was freed from barracks and other buildings. But tourists practically do not get here - after all, Rome is so full of attractive places. So coming here you can get the opportunity to get in touch with antiquity almost one on one.


Aqueduct Park as part of the Apian Way Park (No. 25)

So what can you see here? And here you can see ancient water conduits, fountains with clean drinking water and pine-pines lined up in a row, echoing the aqueducts with their rhythm. Also in the park is the parish church of St. Polycarp, there are tombs and medieval tower located at the intersection of the Claudius and Marcius aqueducts. The Aqueduct Park is unique - on the territory of the picturesque valley there are already seven of the eleven Roman aqueducts built in different time and some of them are still active. Also here you can see a section of the Appian Way, the most important for Ancient Rome, the history of which goes back far into the past (4th century BC).


Aqueduct Park

The oldest surviving Roman aqueduct, the Anio Vetus, is 64 kilometers long. Second oldest. It was erected between 272 and 269 BC.

The longest of Rome's aqueducts is the Aqua Marcia. It takes water from the Anio River, which is 91 kilometers from the capital of Italy.


Shot from the film “The Great Beauty”

Since the 20th century, the area that today belongs to the Aqueduct Park has repeatedly become a place for filming films, remember at least famous films such as "The Dolce Vita" (1959) and "The Great Beauty" (2013).

6. Villa Ada(Villa Ada)


Villa Ada

The second largest park in Rome after Doria Pamphilj (182 hectares) is located in the northeast of the city in one of the most aristocratic areas - Parioli.


Villa Ada. Map

From 1872 to 1946 there was located summer residence Savoy dynasty. However, between 1878 and 1904, the owner of the estate was the Swiss Count Tellfner. He built a beautiful villa which he named after his wife Ada.

Villa Ada Savoia is more like a forest area with lakes, streams, diverse flora and fauna. Breathe amazingly well here. Typical Mediterranean vegetation is planted here: laurels, pines, oaks and olive trees. Of great interest are metasequoias, which were brought here from Tibet itself. From animals you can meet porcupines, rabbits, and even parrots.


Villa Ada

Today, the park is mostly public, but there is also a private area that belongs to the Egyptian embassy and is guarded by the police: the headquarters of the Egyptian embassy occupies the former royal residence (the main building of the villa). In the public area, you can ride horses, bikes or boats on an artificial lake. Every year (since 1994) in the summer, the music festival “Roma incontra il mondo” (“Rome meets the world”) is held here, calling for the rejection of violence, wars, racism and death penalty. A small part of the ancient Salt Road runs through the territory of Villa Ada.

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The salt road was one of the first Ancient Rome. Its length is more than 200 kilometers. This is the oldest trade route along which salt was transported. The road originates at the Aurelian wall (Porta Salaria), leads through central regions Italy to the Trouent camp, which is located on the coast Adriatic Sea. Here, at the foot of the Aventine in Rome, there were salt warehouses. The salt road in ancient Rome contributed to the rapid prosperity of the city, providing Rome with a monopoly on salt. It was built to all the quality standards of the time, ensuring accessibility in all weathers.


Catacombs of Priscilla

Along the salt road there are Christian and pagan underground burials - catacombs. Next to Villa Ada on Via Salaria is the entrance to Catacombs of Priscilla (Catacombe di Santa Priscilla)- underground crypts of the II-IV centuries, which are named after the early Christian martyr - Priscilla. The catacombs are underground in two floors, divided into 2 parts, one of which belongs to Christians, the second to pagans. Initially, the relics of early Christian saints rested here, later transferred to various churches in Rome. The catacombs of Priscilla are interesting primarily for their murals. Among other things, here you can see the most ancient images of the Madonna and Child, Greek inscriptions, frescoes on Old Testament subjects.


Bunker

In addition to the catacombs, the dungeon of the Villa Ada also contains the bunker of the royal family. To ensure the safety of King Victor Emmanuel III and his retinue during the Second World War, it was decided to make a real shelter with an air recirculation system. Now the secret bunker of the royal family of Savoy has been restored and is open to visitors.

7. Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico di Roma)


Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden of the University of Rome or Orto Botanico di Roma is located in the amazing area of ​​Trastevere - perfect place for quiet melancholy walks at any time of the year without crowds of tourists. Near botanical garden there is Villa Farnesina with frescoes by Raphael and the Corsini Gallery, which now houses a collection of ancient art, including paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Murillo, Caravaggio.


Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden of the Sapienza University settled in the gardens of Corsini in 1883. Today the garden is located on 12 hectares. The collection includes many plants from different parts of the world: palm trees, bamboos, lianas and orchids, Mediterranean plants, Japanese maples and coniferous, aquatic plants. The pride of the park are the greenhouses built back in the 19th century and the fountains created by Ferdinando Fuga: the Triton fountain in the center of the park, and a little further and above the fountain of 11 jets, made in the form of a staircase.

There is a chic rose garden, an “Apothecary Garden” with medicinal plants, a “Japanese Garden” with arbors and bridges in oriental style, and the main highlight can rightly be called the “Garden of Aromas” - a garden with diverse types of fragrant herbs such as lavender, sage, rosemary, geranium.