Rome parks

An oasis of shade, Rome parks

Rome parks: Villa Borghese
Indisputably, the most famous Roman Park is 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, you can admire breathtaking vistas over the city. On sunny weekends, this Roman park is crowded with Roman people, strolling, biking, and doing 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. Among Rome parks, Villa Borghese is definitely the richest in history, with various important buildings, museums and galleries, as well as various notable sculptures. The ultimate highlight here is the Galleria Borghese, displaying ancient Roman artefacts and 17th Century art. For more information you can also check our page Villa Borghese Rome.
Rome parks: Villa Doria Pamphilj
This Roman park located in the south-west part of the city, not very far from Trastevere and the picturesque Gianicolo hill, is a vast garden stretching over a nine-kilometre perimeter. Known as the city's biggest park, the Parco Villa Doria Pamphilj has lofty trees, rare plant species and an entire collection of animals, which includes not only squirrels, but also turtles, herons, swans, geese and fish, filling its several pools. Commissioned by Prince Camillo Pamphili, a relative of Pope Innocent X, this Roman park is the work of architect Alessandro Algardi, well-known for creating the Casino di Allegrezza, several fountains, as well as miscellaneous decorative features found all over the park. The ownership of the park's casino and landscaped sections are partly owned by the Italian State and partly by the Roman Council.
Rome parks: Villa Ada
Villa Ada, one of the largest Rome parks, is located in the residential northern area of Rome. It was the former residence of the Italian royal family. Indeed, the family resided here in the period 1872-78 and 1904-46. This Roman park is less rich in palaces, statues or fountains, but it is a lot more like a real wood, with vast zones were nature reigns undisturbed, so if you’re looking for a quiet place to lie down in the shade, Villa Ada is definitely worth a visit. The site is particularly alive during the summer, when it hosts international music festival Roma Incontra Il Mondo.
Rome parks: Villa Torlonia
Villa Torlonia is a neo-Classical villa located along one of Rome main streets, Via Nomentana, not so far from the city centre. This Roman park, formerly owned by the Roman family of Torlonia, was started in the 19th Century, and completed by architect Valadier, the creator of Piazza del Popolo. The adjoining park was subsequently enlarged, receiving new landscaped gardens by architect Augusto Jappelli. This particular villa, set amongst the greenery, served as the residence of Mussolini in the period 1925-43, during World War II operated as the Anglo-American headquarters in Rome and is now the Museum Torlonia, a gallery for the Torlonia family art collection. The villa boasts elegant frescoes and exuberant chandeliers, but also displays sad remnants of the wars, such as the bunkers and the anti-gas chamber.