Parks & Gardens, Rome

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I am embarrassed now to say that this has been my back yard for 3 years now and I have just visited! It is similar to my brief tenure in New York City and never visiting the Statue of Liberty. I see a part of this garden from one of my windows every morning as I greet the world for the start of my day. It is situated right behind Palazzo Corsini which is my view from another window. What a surprise as in store for me when a dear friend, Emilia, suggested we visit.
Dimentions: The Botanical Garden of Rome comprises an area of ​​12 hectares in a secluded position on the slopes of the Gianicolo. Irrigation of crops with several streams and water are fed from above aqueduct of the Acqua Paola.
History: This was the garden park of Palazzo Corsini , the former residence of Queen Christina of Sweden. The Official website give you the detailed history and much information of interest.
Species: he garden now houses over 3000 plant species. We give here only some hints of the greatest exhibition areas.
palm trees
groves of bamboo, fern gully, rose garden
Japanese Garden
At the top of the hill you will find the original tree structure, leaving a forest of Mediterranean evergreen. The area is called Bosco Roman , and the clearings between the ancient oaks and sycamores (350 - 400 years of age) will give you fantastic views of the city.
Eighteenth-century furniture in the garden are preserved in this area the steps of the Escape and the niche which backs onto the top of the hill. You will see aquatic plants, greenhouses, simple garden and herb garden.

Directions: From the small electric bus #125 you would exit at the University John Cabot stop - or simply tell the driver "Orto Botanico." Walking along Via della Lungara past Palazzo Corsini going toward the arch you will come to a stop light - Largo Cristina di Svezia, 24 will be on your right. Walking from Trastevere - a short walk from Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere past Piazza Sant'Edigio directly toward the arch to the stop light and the Park is to your left.

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.

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Rome has so much to offer besides magnificent monuments which are known all over the world. In case you would like to get rest from the crowd of tourists or just take a stroll and have a picnic go to one of Rome's parks. There are so many of them, easy reachable even by somebody who doesn't know the city well.
My favorite one is Villa Doria Pamphilj, the biggest park in Rome. There are lakes and many beautiful alleys to wander. It's very popular among Romans who like to jog or do other outdoors sports.
To get there take BUS nr. 31 144 791 982

Other parks in Rome:
Villa Borghese: the most famous park in Rome, easy to get there from Piazza del Popolo or Piazza di Spagna

Villa Ada: is located along Via Salaria, it's wilder than other parks

Villa Torlonia