Villa Borghese museum
Villa Borghese and Park
Villa Borghese and Park was built in 1605 by Flaminio Ponzio for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the sybaritic nephew of Pope Paul V. It is the biggest park in Rome, located in the park is the Gallery along with summerhouses, temples, and statues.
Borghese Gallery- Built by Flaminio Ponzio in 1605 (shown above)
Designed as a typical Roman country house the villa was used by Scipione for entertaining guests and for displaying his impressive collection of paintings and sculptures. In 1902 the estate was given to the city of Rome from Umberto I, king of Italy.
The Rape of Proserpine - By Bernini in 1622.
The God of the underworld, Pluto, carries Proserpine away to be his bride. In this sculpture Bernini places in contrast the taut musculature of Pluto with the soft yielding flesh of Proserpine.
Self Portrait - by Bernini in 1665.
Bernini was very skilful as a painter as seen in the self-portrait. Many of his paintings can be seen at the National Gallery in London.
Villa Ada
Run along the lanes
neighborhood: Trieste - Nomentana - Montesacro - Salario - Nuovo Salario
address
Via Salaria
Via Ponte Salario
Rome IT,
The villa is named after the wife of the Swiss Count Tellfner who, as well as King Vittorio Emmanuele II, was one of its many owners. The park is very large with ample grounds in which to run and also to relax. There are cycle paths and skate tracks. Sports lovers come here to train. You can compete or help out in competitions between radio-controlled model boats down at the lake. There are many entrances to the park on Via Salaria; one of these is next to the catacombs of Saint Priscilla.
Admission: free
Vatican Gardens
Separating the Vatican from the secular world on the north and west are 23 hectares (58 acres) of lush gardens filled with winding paths, brilliantly colored flowers, groves of massive oaks, and ancient fountains and pools. In the midst of this pastoral setting is a small summer house, Villa Pia, built for Pope Pius IV in 1560 by Pirro Ligorio. The gardens contain medieval fortifications from the 9th century to the present. Water spouts profusely from a variety of fountains.
To make a reservation to visit the Vatican Gardens, send a fax to 06-69884676. Once the reservation is accepted, you must go to the Vatican information office (at Piazza San Pietro, on the left side looking at the facade of St. Peter's) and pick up the tickets 2 or 3 days before your visit. Tours of the gardens are Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10am; they last for 2 hours, and the first half-hour is by bus. The cost of the tour is 9€ ($10). For further information, contact the Vatican Tourism Office (tel. 06-69881662).
Pincio
For a romantic walk
neighborhood: Centro Storico
address
Piazza del Pincio
Rome IT, 00187
These lovely gardens overlook one of the most beautiful squares in Rome, Piazza del Popolo. There were gardens here even in the time of Ancient Rome, and it is said that they were quite fabulous. The present-day gardens were designed in the early 19th century by the architect Valadier who also created Piazza del Popolo itself. They became a favourite location for walking, and who knows how many love stories blossomed amongst the pine trees? Piazzale Napoleone I offers an unforgettable view of Rome, along with the famous Water Clock that dates back to the 19th century. A visit to the restaurant La Casina Valadier is well worth it, for a coffee or a light lunch.
.jpg)
