Walking tour- Explore the breathtaking gardens of Rome

Rome is a city well known for its rich culture and astonishing history. But make sure you also include seeing some of the most famous gardens of Rome. Enjoy the peace and quiet away from the ancient famous historical sites and stone alleyways.

The gardens of Rome vary from Roman Villas to renaissance estates. Also, there is a range of small gardens to massive botanical ones taking up acres of land. By taking a stroll you can see fountains, lakes, and singing birds in some of the gardens.

The history behind Ancient Roman gardens

After 60 BC Roman gardens were strongly influenced by gardening techniques used by the Egyptians and Persians. Apparently, the majority of the gardens had pergolas which were used for growing vines and providing shades for people.

The Romans took their gardens very seriously as they represented their status and prestige. Bigger gardens at the edge of the city had parks, statues, spring water and some even had a zoo. Fortunately, archaeological remains can be used in order to identify the different layouts of Roman gardens.

Styles of gardens:

• The Basic Hortus- describes the type of garden which was at the back of houses. The gardens were used for growing fruits and vegetables rather than being used for a place to relax. House of the Surgeon in Pompeii owns this type of garden.

• The Peristyle garden- included flower beds with small shrubs surrounded by pathways. There were also garden statues and water statues including small shrines. There were also some well-known garden ornaments that consisted of hanging disks of different gods.

  A lot of these gardens were designed for the purpose of entertaining guests rather than personal use. The houses were designed in such a way that the doors would directly lead to gardens. Hence the decoration was also exquisite including walls around the garden being painted with trees and fountains. The House of Octavius Quarto in Pompeii represents the Peristyle. The garden opens from the back terrace of the house. Its prime features are the two canals which are built to demonstrate the River Nile surrounded by trees and statues.

• Villa Gardens- Usually villas had multiple gardens each designed in a different way for a variety of functions. Gardens had flower beds that were layout in different shapes. Most of all the gardens would have a completely separate building from the rest of the house. The House of Diomedes on the edge of Pompeii holds this type of garden.

Gardens that you must visit

Rome Rose Garden

This particular garden was established back in 1931 which covers approximately 10,000 sq meters. It is situated on Aventino Hill opposite the Circus Maximus.

The site was used as a cemetery for the Jewish. The garden first started with 300 roses. Unfortunately in 1950 during the second world war, the original garden was damaged, but luckily the roses bloomed again later on.

Now the public garden holds over 1100 varieties of roses, where many of which are gifts from all over the world. The main aim of the rose garden is to display the different groups of roses such as hybrid roses, rose shrubs, hybrid roses, and many more.

Interestingly the park has a separate section for testing roses for determining whether or not they are suitable for public and private gardens.

You can enjoy taking a stroll around the garden for absolutely free since there is no entry fee. Luckily it is also open during the flowering season. The garden is situated behind Piazza Ugo la Malfa which is a short walk from the Circo Massimo metro stop.

Villa Borghese Gardens

The park is one of the largest in Rome and situated just outside the Borghese Gallery. It has a total of 9 entrances and many paths which lead to around 100 attractions. It is the third-largest public park in Rome taking up around 200 acres of land. In 1606 Cardinal Scipione developed the garden on Pincian Hill.

The main attractions of the place are:

• There is a small cinema house inside the gardens. Where both adults and children can enjoy movies.

• You can pay a visit to the Temple of Aesculapius.

• There is a lake inside the gardens where you can row around. All you have to do is rent out a boat.

• An architect named Gioacchino Ersoch created a water clock fountain in the gardens back in 1873. This is now open for public viewing.

• There is an exquisite fountain which is named, ‘Fountain of the Sea Horses.’

• Most of all those of you who are traveling with kids have the advantage of showing them the Bioparco Zoo.

• There is a games arcade which is open-air and also a play center for the little ones.

There is no entry fee for the gardens but you may have to pay to visit the galleries and museums.

Rome Botanical Gardens

Since 1883 the garden has been located behind the Corsini Palace. It takes up 30 acres of land with over 3000 species of different plants. The garden stands out because it is an archeological site as well as a botanical garden.

Inside there are four greenhouses which go by the name of the Corsini Greenhouse, the Monumental Greenhouse, the Tropical Greenhouse, and the French Greenhouse. Each of the greenhouses holds various foreign plants from America, Africa. Also, there are trees from the Amazon Rainforest.

There are coniferous trees of 60 types and 35 types of palm trees. There is an Afghan palm tree that interestingly grows horizontally, a pine tree from Australia, and many more.

Unfortunately to visit the botanical gardens you have to pay the entrance fee, but it is still worthwhile to take a stroll through the peaceful forests.

Villa Doria Pamphili

The Villa was built back in the 17th century by the Pamphill family for residing purposes. But now the Villa represents an astonishing park which is located outside the ancient Roman walls.

Apparently, this park is the second biggest public park in Rome. In fact, this garden is so big and rich in plants that once upon a time it was named, ‘Bel Respiro’ meaning ‘Deep Breath’.

There is plenty to see in this massive garden which includes:

• Lily’s fountain: it is a symbol of the Pamphili family located in the park in such an area that you can catch a view of both the lake and canal in front.

• Belvedere lake: this natural lake is surrounded by birds and plants which is pleasant scenery for visitors.

• Doria Pamphili Chapel is the funeral chapel of the Pamphili family built in neogothic style. It was constructed at the end of the 19th century by Alfonso Doria Pamphili.

• Deer valley: occupying a space of 60,000 square meters which was used for deers to live in freedom and also as the family’s private hunting reserve. Unfortunately was abandoned for many years but in 2000 renovation works were carried out for public viewing.

• Old Villa: currently the oldest building in the complex which has been turned into a museum to show the history of the Villa and the family. Unfortunately, the museum is not always open and allows visitors during special events or occasions.

• Greenhouse Garden: built back in the 19th century the garden contained a variety of exotic fruits. But now the garden has been replaced with palm trees.

The garden opens early in the morning at 7 am and there is no entry fee. At least keep 3 hours in hand to see everything in the garden at a slow pace.

The Orange Garden of Rome

This garden also goes by the name of il Giardino degli Aranci in Italian. Located on the peak of the Aventine Hill since the 14th century the garden is filled with orange trees, covering almost 8000 square meters. Finally, it was completed in 1932 with the help of architecture Raffaele De Vico.

The real name of the garden is the Savello Garden because the land was under their ownership. But nowadays people do not recognize the name Savello. Park but it is well known as the Orange Gardens mainly because of the bitter oranges.

The garden has a total of three entrances and at the center, there is a wide avenue lined by two planted squares. One of the squares consists of a fountain and the other contains a mask. In fact, the garden lays on top of a medieval fortress that was built by the Savelli family.

Luckily there is no entry free allowing you to enjoy the view for as long as you want.

Lastly

For those who have enough time in their hands and are looking for a space to breathe in some fresh air. Then I strongly suggest that you visit some of the gardens mentioned above. Most of them do not have entry fees and are open for long hours during the day.

The gardens are perfect for cycling or taking a long walk.

Especially for those who are traveling with kids as they will enjoy running around the parks. There is plenty to see starting from various types of trees and flowers to historic fountains.

You can even sit in the garden and enjoy a peaceful picnic beside lakes and watch birds fly by.

Do make sure to carry a water bottle and snacks as the long walk may make you thirsty and add to your hunger.