Rome Parks and Gardens
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Parks, Gardens and Villas in Rome...
Parks,
Gardens and Villas in Rome |
Opening hours of the Gardens usually are: 7am
– sunset Please find the openings of the
Botanical Garden further down on this page.
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VILLA BORGHESE (Via Veneto) |
The Borghese Family owned the oldest part
of the Villa since 1580, but at the beginning of the
seventeenth century Cardinal Scipione Caffarelli
Borghese, Pope Paul V's nephew, began purchasing the
neighbouring lands intent on creating a "villa di
delizie".
The Villa's first layout, assigned to
architects Flaminio Ponzio and Giovanni
Vasanzio, included, according to the classic
tradition, a pars urbana and a pars rustica, divided
in three "rings" . It remained thus until the
18th century.
The first ring was the most ostentatious,
where the Casino Nobile, numerous statues and
fountains and a "sylvan" garden
are found.
The present Parco dei Daini corresponds to
the second ring, a garden reserved for the
prince.
The Giardini Segreti are found between the
first and second rings.
The third ring was the countryside, the
broadest and vastest part, that suffered the
majority of alterations over time.
At the end of the 18th century, Prince
Marcantonio IV fostered a general renovation of
the Villa, which involved the design of new
furnishings and the transformation of the
seventeenth century buildings, employing architects
Antonio and Mario Asprucci and various artists.
At the beginning of the 19th century the Villa
was expanded with new purchases: Villa
Giustiniani and other minor villas, near
Porta del Popolo, and the former Villas
Doria and Manfroni, near Porta Pinciana.
Luigi Canina's work combined the new properties and
bestowed the Villa with a new layout with
numerous small eclectically and neoclassical
inspired buildings. The villa entered a new phase
when it was purchased by the State (1901) and later
transferred to the Municipality of Rome.
The gallery houses one of the most beautiful
collections in the world: included among the
masterpieces, the very famous statue of Paolina
Borghese by Canova, "Amor sacro e Amor profano" and
"Venere che benda Amore" by Tiziano, the "Deposizione"
by Raffaello, the splendid statues by Bernini,
six of the best works of Caravaggio, "La caccia di
Diana" by Domenichino, and the works of Perugino,
Pinturicchio, Veronese, Rubens
(Lake Garden): one of the loveliest places in
the park and a rare example of an English garden
in the Roman area, rich with exotic plants such
as banana trees and baldcypresses; in the centre of
an artificial island, a temple was built dedicated
to Aesculapius.
The famous Piazza di Siena every year in May
hosts horse-jumping and carriage-racing
competitions.
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National Etruscan Museum of
Villa Giulia |
The museum's collection, ordered by
geographical area, includes some masterpieces of
ancient Etruria, such as the Sarcophagus of the
Cerveteri newlyweds (VI century B.C.) and the statue
of Apollo of Veio (VI century B.C.) and also
prestigious historical collections such as the
Castellani, rich with pottery, bronzes and famous
jewellery. Recent building renovations have
opened a new exhibition area on the main floor where
antiquity from Pyrgi are on display.
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National Gallery of modern and Contemporary Art
|
The gallery houses XIX and XX century artwork
and sculptures, produced mainly by Italian artists
and with a few European works including: Coubert,
Van Gogh, Degas, Monet, Cezanne, Klimt.
The nineteenth century is represented with works
that range from the neoclassic period to purist and
historical Romanticism, from the earliest
Neapolitan Landscape Painting School to late
Romanticism, up to Realism.
This park, high up on
Janiculum
hill, is a good place to spend time with
children - pony rides, bumper cars, open air puppet
theatre and other games, while enjoying a great view
of the city below, perhaps the best one. The square
on top of the hill and the avenue (Passeggiata del
Gianicolo)
were realized in 1885-1887 on the territory of the
ex Parco Corsini. There can be find numerous busts
of the volunteers who took part in the defense of
Rome; in the middle of the square in 1895 an
equestrian monument was erected to G.Garibaldi. At
midday, from the balcony of the Piazzale takes place
the everyday shot of the cannon giving a sign of the
exact time. This tradition began in December 1847,
when the cannon of Castel Sant'Angelo was giving the
official time of Rome and the sign to all the
bell-towers to start ringing.
VILLA CELIMONTANA (S.Giovanni, Terme di Caracalla)
|
This lovely Villa was originally a vineyard
that was bought by the Mattei family to whom the new
design of the gardens is owed. On the Celio hill, it
has long attracted visitors with its trees and
ancient marbles in its gardens, including an obelisk
from the times of Ramses II. It became the property
of various foreigners until 1918 when it was
confiscated by the Italian state. The last owner,
Baron Riccardo Hoffmann, contributed to its
expansion and added a small Neo-Gothic temple, which
is now the home of the Italian Geographic Society.
VILLA
ALDOBRANDINI (Via Nazionale) |
This villa has been built in the 16th century for
the Dukes of Urbino, then acquired by Pope Clement
VIII Aldobrandini it is now property of the Italian
government and closed to the public.
The gardens, raised about 10mt above street
level, however open daily.
FARNESE GARDENS (Palatine) |
Cardinal A. Farnese bought the ruins of Emperor
Tiberius’s palace in the 16th century and
commissioned Vignola to design the garden - this was
one of the first botanical gardens in Europe.
Now a beautiful spot with tree-lined avenues and
rose gardens
.
VILLA
TORLONIA (Nomentana) |
Built in the early 19th century by the architect
Valadier.
Later
on other portions of land were purchased in order to
extend the park, which was landscaped by the garden
architect A.Jappelli.
The villa then became private residence of
Mussolini from 1925-43; later used as the
headquarter of the Anglo-American command in Rome.
The garden contains many exotic plants and large
trees.
A new museum has opened in the Casina delle Civette,
remarkable for its stained glass windows.
At the slopes of the Gianicolo – it was a nymph’s
sanctuary in Roman times.
Paths through the park are decorated with
statues of mythological figures, such as Apollo and
Daphne and many fountains.
Lots of cherry trees – ideal for a spring walk.
VILLA DORIA PAMPHILJ (Monteverde)
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This is Rome’s largest public park and
one of the richest in terms of vegetation( tall
trees and rare plants) and fauna( swans, geese…)
This park was laid out on the orders of Prince
Camillo Pamphilj, the nephew of Pope Innocent X,
beween 1644-52 The main entrance is the one at San
Pancrazio, though it has many other entrances around
its 9 km perimeter.
PINCIO (Piazza del Popolo) |
These gardens overlook P.zza del Popolo; designed in
the early 19th century by the architect Valadier who
also created the Piazza itself.
A favourite location with a stunning view for
romantic walks on sundown.
One of the most important Italian botanical
gardens for extension and number of species –
more than 7000. Special itinerary for the blind.
Hours: winter 9.30 - 17.30, summer
9.30 - 18.30 Closed on Sundays, Mondays,
Holidays, and in August.
Beautiful grounds just north of the city with plenty to keep youngsters amused,
including a roller-skating rink, bike paths, two
playgrounds, and ponds.
