Villa Borghese is one of the largest landscape gardens in Rome and boasts a stunning combination of nature and Roman art. The expansive greenery and shining waters you'll see here are impressive, but you can also enjoy monuments, sculptures, fountains and architectural elements when you visit. While the park itself is much older, the gardens as they are today were remade in the late 1700s in the naturalistic English style.
Think of Villa Borghese as your break from the hustle and bustle of the city. The whole family can find rest and relaxation here, though you're always free to explore at a faster pace if you like, given that rollerblades and bicycles are available for hire at the main gates. Most people spend about 2 or 3 hours here, but with 80 hectares of space, you could easily spend the whole afternoon among the natural beauty.
Villa Borghese in Rome - one of the highlights of 10 Best Free Things to Do in Rome and 10 Haunted Places to Explore in Rome (Read all about Rome here)
What are the highlights of Villa Borghese in Rome?
You'll find quite a few interesting attractions within Villa Borghese that you won't want to miss out on. One of the most popular points of interest is the Borghese Gallery. This is a prominent art museum where you can examine masterpiece works by legendary artists like Titian, Caravaggio and Raphael. Most of the art on display here spans the 15th to 18th centuries, and the collection includes sculptures as well as paintings.
When you visit Villa Borghese, you won't want to miss the Rome Zoo. Often called the Bioparco, this zoo is home to 200 different species of animals with more than 1,000 individual animals altogether. Additionally, you can gaze into the past at Pincio's Water Clock, which is a shining example of the 19th century's engineering prowess. Additionally, you can visit Silvano Toti Globe Theatre, which is a replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre located in London.
A brief history of Villa Borghese in Rome
Villa Borghese began as a vineyard, but Cardinal Scipione Borghese, who was the nephew of Pope Paul V, decided to turn it into opulent gardens. He specifically wanted them to be the most extensive gardens built in the city since the time of the Roman Empire. This would somewhat be a return to form since the site of the vineyard and current park is commonly identified as the site of the gardens of Lucullus, one of the most famous of its kind around the dawn of the Common Era.
A few centuries after Borghese transformed the vineyard into Villa Borghese, the greenery and landscape within was reworked to sport a more English style, and that design remains to this day. It wasn't until 1903, however, that this park was opened up to the general public. Several villas are located in the park, and each has a unique history.
What else is good to know about Villa Borghese in Rome?
One of the best aspects of Villa Borghese is just how easy it is to fit in with your itinerary. It's located by the Spanish Steps, which puts you close to quite a few other prominent landmarks in town. The Pantheon is just a short distance southwest, while Castel Sant'Angelo is just across the Tiber in Prati.
Access to Villa Borghese is easy even if you're travelling on a budget. There's no charge whatsoever to get inside, and even the bikes and rollerblades available at the front gates are generally affordable. While the park is open from sunrise to sunset, many of the villas within operate under different hours, so be sure to check in advance if you want to see any in particular.
Villa Borghese in Rome
Location: Piazzale Napoleone I, 00197 Roma RM, Italy
Open: Daily from sunrise to sunset
Phone: +39 06 6710 9312
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