Overview
Walking among greenery, art, history and culture in the heart of Rome
A stone's throw from the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo, lies one of the green lungs of the capital: the large park of Villa Borghese. What was the Borghese family's estate until 1580, has been enlarged and enriched with buildings, sculptures and gardens over the centuries until it has reached us as a true oasis of peace and culture in which to relax for a few hours after a day exploring Rome.
Those in the mood for romance can take a boat trip to the Giardino del Lago in the middle of which stands a small island dominated by the Temple of Aesculapius. At sunset, stop on the Terrazza del Pincio to watch the sun set over the rooftops of Rome and St Peter's Dome.
Strolling through the gardens of Villa Borghese, one can admire historical buildings such as the Casino del Graziano, the Casino Giustiniani, the Uccelliera and the Meridiana with its secret gardens of 17th-century flavour. And what about the culture in the park? The great Galleria Borghese houses masterpieces by Giovanni Bellini, Raphael, Titian, Correggio and Caravaggio.
Activities for the whole family include the large biopark in Rome and the Casina di Raffaello with its toy library and many activities for the little ones. Few people know that Villa Borghese also houses the smallest cinema in the worldwith only 63 seats, and the Globe Theatre desired by Gigi Proietti, a copy of the famous Elizabethan theatre in London.
