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Parks and Gardens in Rome
When it gets hot in Rome, people start to look for places with shade and water to survive the warmest hours of the day. Fortunately the heat is bearable if you're near a fountain or in the shade of trees, so it's good know where to look for such places in Rome. Villa Borghese and Villa Medici Gardens belong to the most popular strolling venues in the Eternal City as they're famous for their charm and unique atmosphere. Other interesting parks are the Municipal Rose Garden, where you will see many breeds of these flowers and Bioparco, where the animals are roaming freely through its premises. Since Rome can get really crowded and loud, its parks and gardens are a nice refuge from the busy city.
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Caelian Hill
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One of the seven hills of Rome, this site has accumulated huge amounts of history, and makes for an excellent strolling venue. Starting with ruins of Roman temples, early Christian shrines and a vast parkland, the hill makes for an entire day out of the hectic Rome. The Caelian Hill, which derives its name from the Latin place name Mons Caelius, was populated under Emperor Tullus Hostilius, who relocated the people of Alba Longa here. According to researchers, the hill was named after Caelius Vibenna, who is known to have settled on the spot. Later, during the Republic, that was the site of the fanciest civil residences, including elegant villas with exquisite mosaics. If hunting for notable structures, here you can find the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo and the Basilica of Santo Stefano Rotondo.
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Vatican Gardens
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Phone: +39 06 69881662
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Website: http://www.vatican.va/
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The Vatican Gardens date back from the late 13th Century, and their construction was initiated by Pope Nicholas II as an enclosed orchard. The gardens can be visited on a guided tour, and one might easily lose their way through the various lines of hedges and lush vegetation. The statuary and ancient fountains, dispersed amongst the greenery add a fantastic air to the entire setting. The water flows freely from the pools and sprouts from the fountains. Still, the gardens serve a very deliberate purpose: set to isolate the Vatican from the mundane world, they offer 23 hectares of invariable green. The gardens are often carved by various paths, well-tended flower gardens and gigantic oaks. The idyllic décor includes a tiny summer house, the Villa Pia, which was commissioned in 1560 by Pope Pius IV and erected by Pirro Ligorio. The gardens also hide a 9th Century Medieval fortress.
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Parco Villa Borghese
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Website: http://www.villaborghese.it/en/index.htm
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The Villa Borghese, Rome's principal strolling venue, was completed by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the 17th Century. Here, apart from lush greenery and abundant water, one can admire the vistas over the the city. This is also where Rome relocates on sunny weekends for laid-back strolls, biking, and picnics. Sections of the garden are literally crammed with outdoor cafes, where you can stop for your daily dose of caffeine and sit down with your recent reading. The villa's vicinities are rich in history, with various important structures, museums and galleries, as well as various notable sculptures. The ultimate highlight here is the Galleria Borghese, displaying ancient Roman artifacts and 17th Century art.
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Villa Medici Gardens
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Phone: +39 06 676 11
e-mail: segretariogenerale@villamedici.it
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These gardens, set on the Pincio Hill, occupy more than 17 acres. The Gardens in Villa Medici are a enchanting retreat, offering stunning vistas over Rome and a lot of seclusion. During the 1st Century BC, this was the site of the Gardens of Lucullus, which were substantially restructured in the 16th Century into a landscape garden with clear roads, sculpture and fountains. The entire property was acquired by the Medicis in 1580. The Villa Medici, a notable constituent of the entire setting, was handed over to the rulers of Florence after the Medici family faded away. Later, Napoleon Bonaparte installed the French Academy here. The structure was opened to visitors in 1928 to house temporary exhibits, concerts and various events. The entire architectural complex encompasses the villa and its adjoining gardens, which are a continuation of the Borghese gardens, and is set close to the famous Trinità dei Monti.
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Aqualand
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Phone: +39 06 987 82 47
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This aquatic park allows for various adventures and plenty of water fun. Its six swimming pools are complemented with a section of gigantic pine trees, enclosing an area with cosy picnic tables. There are three activity swimming pools for children, all of them equipped with miscellaneous games. One of the pools contains hundreds of small balls for the children to play with. Otherwise, additional attractions include the water slides and rubber dinghy trips.
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Bioparco
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Phone: +39 06 360 82 11
e-mail: infoscuola@bioparco.it
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Website: http://www.bioparco.it/
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A former zoo, the Bioparco has very few caged animals left, with all the remaining species roaming freely in something which is supposed to resemble their natural habitat. The site serves an educational purpose: demonstrating how animals and children can interact in a clean and peaceful environment. The on-site platform restaurant overlooks grazing giraffes and a small herd of elephants. The complex also features a small display of endangered species, featuring several alligators. The Bioparco is a site to spot lions, tigers, monkeys, bears and an entire array of tiny species. The well-appointed reptile house and education centre are among the site's must-see spots.
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Il Ninfeo degli Annibaldi
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Phone: +39 06 6710 3819
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If strolling along the walled Via degli Annibaldi, one could easily overlook the tiny gate, which almost merges with its surroundings. This is the door to a secluded nymphaeum (a decorative fountain) with a lush garden. The site's history can be traced back to the era of Emperor Augustus. Set below ground level, here, you will be entirely immersed in the realm of nymphs, plants and various fantastic creatures, vastly associated with woodland mythology. The atmospheric site has a fountain, most probably dismantled from a patrician house and placed here. This is a perfect site for peaceful appreciation of nature and its vital powers. Visits by appointment only.
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Janiculum Hill
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Janiculum Hill, despite being the city's second tallest, is not included in the list of the seven Hills of Rome. Set west of the Tiber, it was far beyond the borders of early Rome. Still, the site allows for secluded strolls amongst lush greenery. The public park is not so largely populated with outdoorsy Romans, thus offering a peaceful retreat from the city hassle. Apart from the monuments to the Garibaldi family, here one can witness panoramic vistas of the entire metropolis, and enjoy a picnic on the lush meadows. Although the uphill hike is rather challenging, the top area offers some charming areas. Still, the site hides a surprising variety of landmarks, such as the Church of San Pietro in Montorio, set on the site where St Peter is believed to have been crucified, as well as the Tempietto, supposedly the spot of St Peter's demise. Other structures include a 17th-century fountain, the Acqua Paola, a number of international institutions, such as the Rome American Academy, the Academia de Espana, the Pontifical Urban University and the Pontifical North American College.
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