Villa Borghese gardens, Landscape garden in Rome, Italy
Villa Borghese is a landscape garden in Rome that spreads over gentle hills shaded by pines, oaks and cypresses. Wide avenues lead to temples, fountains and open squares where paths cross and benches invite rest.
Cardinal Scipione Borghese had vineyards transformed into a park from 1605 and built a villa to house his art collection. In the 18th century the gardens were reworked in the English style and later handed over to the city.
The name recalls the Borghese family, who kept their collection here and opened the paths for walkers. Romans now use the park for jogging, picnicking and meeting friends, especially on weekends.
The park has several entrances around its perimeter, so you can enter from different neighborhoods. Footpaths are mostly flat and well kept, making it easy to walk through even when you have little time.
A small lake in the park has an island with a replica Greek temple that can only be seen from the outside. Many visitors overlook the aviary, a historical cage for exotic birds that now stands empty.
Location: Municipio I
Inception: 1605
Founders: Scipione Borghese, Paul V
Official opening: 1903
Address: 00197 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy
Phone: +39060608
Website: http://sovraintendenzaroma.it/i_luoghi/ville_e_parchi_storici/ville_dei_nobili/villa_borghese
GPS coordinates: 41.91365,12.48510
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:04
Rome preserves more than 2,000 years of architectural history within its city limits, maintaining ancient temples and amphitheaters beside Renaissance churches and Baroque piazzas. The Roman Forum displays ruins from the first century BC through the fourth century AD, including government buildings and temples that formed the administrative heart of the Roman Empire. The Pantheon demonstrates Roman engineering with its concrete dome, while the Colosseum remains the largest ancient amphitheater ever built. The city evolved through subsequent centuries as papal patronage transformed medieval Rome into a showcase of Renaissance and Baroque art and architecture. The Vatican holds significant religious and artistic collections, including the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes and Saint Peter's Basilica, the world's largest church building. Throughout the historic center, public squares like Piazza Navona preserve the footprint of ancient Roman structures while displaying Baroque fountains by Bernini and Borromini. The Trevi Fountain draws thousands of visitors daily to its 18th century facade, and the Spanish Steps connect different elevation levels of the city. Rome's neighborhoods maintain traditional Italian life around these monuments, with restaurants, shops and residences occupying buildings from various historical periods.
Rome combines ancient history with modern photography. The city presents monuments, fountains, squares and viewpoints to photographers. The Colosseum, Castel Sant'Angelo and Roman Forum display Roman architecture. The Vatican Museums and Piazza Navona showcase art. The Villa Borghese Gardens and Trastevere district complement the urban setting.
Italy presents architecture from two millennia, from Roman temples to Renaissance museums. The country features volcanic zones near Naples, stone dwellings in Matera, and canals in Venice. Religious structures include St. Mark's Basilica, while art museums display Renaissance collections.
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