Make Sure You See Rome’s Villa Borghese
Rome resembles many big metropolises because it is always alive with outdoor things to do. So when you are a tourist in Rome, the pace can be non-stop, which can make you wish you could find a quiet and peaceful place to relax . And the spot that fits that description perfectly is the Villa Borghese.
While at only 148 acres, the Villa Borghese is not the largest facility of its kind, it has a lot to offer including museums, aviaries and a lovely artificial lake. The origin of the facility dates to the 16th century when Cardinal Borghese created the park using geometric landscaping to capture some of the feel he had experienced at Versailles. In fact, the basic design of the villa was based on a sketch by the Cardinal that the developers used to create the park.
An artificial lake, which contains a small Ionic temple was added towards the end of the 18th Century.
Just as Cardinal Borghese took great pleasure in admiring the peacocks, ostriches and other exotic birds in the aviaries where gazelles once stayed, these birds are there for your enjoyment as well.
At the turn of the 20th century, the grounds and facilities of Villa Borghese were donated to the City of Rome. Since then a number of improvements have been made, including more temples, sculptures and fountains. A notable fountain you can see there is the original version of the Tritons in the Fountain of the Moor which can be seen at the Piazza Navona in the city. The actual ones in the fountain are not originals but replicas of these originals.
For 100 years the Villa Borghese has welcomed the public to enjoy the many delights it contains. There are numerous seasonable events you may come across on your visit, including horse jumping events in Siena Square. The beautiful Piazza di Siena amphitheater commonly is used for outdoor concerts which you can take in before touring the botanical gardens. And take time to admire the lovely Baroque 18th century arch called the ‘Arco di Settimio Severo’.
If you feel hunger pangs come upon you, not to worry because there is a small bar in the middle of the park that offers a delightful and authentic Italian pasta dish or where you can be refreshed by a Campari. It is a short stroll from that bar to find some of the exhibitions that were on display at the 1911 World Exposition here for you to explore.
But over the decades what has really become a draw for tourists and locals alike are the excellent museums that are on the grounds of the park.
Naturally you will find a good representation of Bernini sculpture on display since that artist is the man most often credited with designing many of the outdoor fountains in Rome. The Museo e Galleria Borghese does not disappoint, so you can find such brilliant Bernini pieces as Bernini’s Abduction of Proserpina by Pluto here. This gallery is well diversified with the artwork of a number of well respected artists including Titian and Raphael.
Another museum that gets a great deal of tourist attention is the Museo Nazionale Etrusco that is on display at the Villa Giulia. The Villa’s name originated from the first owner of the property. Pope Julius II used it for his summer home starting in 1553. The name of the museum is accurate because inside you will find many artworks from the Etruscan collection that had been found during excavation near Rome.
To gain entrance to the Villa Borghese, simply travel to the north end of the Spanish Steps. The actual entrances can be found above the Piazza del Poppolo and the Porta Pinciana but near the end of the Via Veneto. The Villa Borghese is an ideal spot to save for that time in your trip when you need a place of quiet to enjoy some peace and respite from a very active day in the city. But be sure you allocate several hours when you are there to see and experience all that the Villa has to offer.
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