Parks & Gardens, Rome

DON'T KNOW WHA HOPPEN BUT THE BALLOON RIDE NO LONGER FLOATS - CHECK THEIR WEBSITE FOR A NEW SCHEDULE. Too bad - we were in the Park today, May 7, and it was gone - the area was in bad condition. The website says they are "suspended" for the winter.
Another very recent addition to the facilities of the Villa is a balloon, showing the decoration of the first balloons used by the Montgolfier brothers in 1783. A safety cable ensures the balloon does not move from its mooring site.

Will pick up a schedule and post rates and more details soon. Click the photo for the full photo view****

If you need to forget about the noise and dust of the city lead yourself to this wonderful park for one day.

You can stop in Barberini Line A metro station or Spagna. In both stations get Via Sistina and from there get Via Franceso Crispi till you get Via Veneto, then crossing the Aurelian Wall and you will be inside the park.

June is the best month to visit the rose garden. If you walk down from the Orange Park, not far from the Circus Maximus, you will find the city's rose garden. It has 2 sections. The most beautiful one is with the tea roses. It is a real enchantment. They come in every colors and shapes imaginable: yellow, red, orange, white, pink, even blue! Climbing roses, dwarf roses, bush roses, etc. You can go smell them but don’t touch! The flowers will wither faster if you do.

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The garden is located in the heart of Eternal city, the richest in the World in history and archaeological presence, between Via della Lungara and the Gianicolo Hill, in the Palazzo Corsini garden. The official name of the place is the Botanical garden of the Department of Plant Biology, University of Rome “Sapienza”. This is the archaeological area Ager Vaticanus which, in ancient times was a suburban territory, crossed by streets with their successions of tombs and villas. The garden originates from Vatican’s gardens, when Nicolo (the third) Pope from 1277 to 1280 moved the seat of papacy from San Giovanni in Laterano to the Vatican area, ordered the enlargement of the Leonine Walls and included area called Pomerium.In 1288 Pope Nicolo (the 4th) identified the therapeutic virtues of some plant species present in specific area, cultivated during Bonifacius V111’s papacy (1294-1303), founder of University. During Pius V’s papacy 1660 the university Botanical Garden not linked to the Vatican Administration-was founded behind the Fontana dell’Acqua on the Gianicolo Hill in 1660,then transferred to the Palazzo Salviati Garden in 1820,to the S.Lorenzo in Panisperna Convent Garden 1872 and then 1883 to the Villa Corsini alla Lungara Garden. The Ministry of public instruction appointed Pietro Romuaido Pirotta to the post of Director.
I loved this garden; they have a collection of South African and Central American flora, mostly cactuses. One tree was absolutely adorable, it looked dried from the bottom to almost top of its stem, but the top had several leaves (cactus style ones) that are green and alive as they can be. The palm trees garden and bamboos are very impressive. As for the bamboo one, its collection is one of the richest in Europe. It includes about 70 entities. Some bamboos reach remarkable heights, over 20 meters in height and the dwarf bamboos make up understory of the Japanese and Chinese forests. The garden of Aroma has bunch of little plants like basil that smells very nice. The ferns collection has a species that was considered extinct, but was found later and proudly presented in the garden now. In the middle of the garden there is a fountain with staircase in a baroque style. From this point you can enjoy picturesque view of Rome. I loved their “fruitful trees” garden that consists of all kind of fruit trees and plants from cotton to olive and apple trees. It was very pleasurable trip to the garden or even a nice touch of the nature.

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Villa Pamphili Park is the most expansive park of Rome with the perimeter of 9km.
Founded in 1630 for Pamphilius Pamphili, but a pivotal moment in the development and extension of it was between 1644 and 1652. Two artists from Bolonia, A. Algardi and G.F. Grimaldi, created the villa's palace, called "Casino dell'Allegrezza" (House of Mirth), a beautiful and impressive example of Baroque architectural masterpiece. Now it is a residence of the Chair of the Cabinet.
The villa was purchased by the Italian State in 1957 and the city of Rome in 1965-71, thus it is open to public and it is a favorite Roman place of rest, picnic and sport.

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“Fascism is a religion. The twentieth century will be known in history as the century of Fascism.”
— Benito Mussolini (1883-1945)

Il Duce was right about what the 20th century will be remembered for. The pain and destruction brought about by Fascism will long out live this political philosophy. It produced few good things.

Foro Italico, a sports complex in the north of Rome, built in the 1920s as a testament to the culture of power and strength as exemplified through athletic prowess is a notable exception to the destructive nature of Fascism.

It is well worth the small amount of effort needed to get to Foro Italica if you enjoy sculptural art as much as I do. See von.otter’s Rome Travelogue, 'Marble Athletes', and my Rome Things-To-Do Tip, “Foro Italico : Stadio dei Marmi” for more details and more photos, about the stadium.

In addition to the marble athletes, the courtyards between buildings are paved with black and white mosaics. These simple but effective works seek to capture the Ancient Roman art form to glorify a modern-day emperor, Il Duce, and the athlete in action.

Although Foro Italico is located outside Rome's historic center, it is nonetheless easy to reach by public transportation. Take the No. 2 tram from just outside the Porta del Popolo. The stop is to the left and across the street as you exit the gate. Ride the tram to the very last stop. You will need to cross the River Tiber but from the last tram stop you can easily walk to Foro Italico.

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The Villa Borghese Park is one of the biggest in Rome. It contains several museums, a children cinema, a theatre and a zoo. Many locals do get here when they have some free time. You can relax, do jogging, use your bicycle, have a pic nic, read a book, play with the ball, etc..

For those in the know, this is a popular attraction. Locals bring their visitors here to admire the impressive optical effect created by Piranesi. It doesn't sound that wonderful; some trees and St. Peter's, but few leave uncharmed. Located in the artistic and enigmatic Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, a gate bars the entrance to the Priory of the Knights of Malta. Queue up to have a look through the ornate keyhole, and you'll see the Vatican's vast white cathedral floating at the end of a symmetrical tunnel of trimmed trees.

The piazza is placed on the Aventine Hill (Aventino), which is a nice tranquil place to stroll on a sunny day. To reach the keyhole, you follow Via di Santa Sabina from the Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus) past a rose garden, two attractive churches and a couple of delightful panoramic parks. One, a walled garden filled with orange trees, hosts outdoors theatre in the summer months.