(map) Rome
Rome is famous for its monuments and links to antiquity, however there are natural marvels as well. A visit to the city’s rose garden, the Roseto Comunale di Roma, is a chance to relax and reflect after walking through the nearby Circus Maximus.
The garden’s location on the Aventine hill originally was a 17th century Jewish cemetery. Today, the site is split into two levels, and the statue of Giuseppe Mazzini, a symbol of the Italian Republic, stands guard at the entrance. The upper garden contains a permanent collection while the lower garden showcases varieties from the “Premio di Roma”, an international floricultural competition.
Most of the roses come from Germany, France, Great Britain and the USA, although there are some stunning homegrown varieties from Italy. No matter the origin, many have colorful names such as Lavender Dream, Flashdance and Serenissima. So instead of limiting your Roman itinerary to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, be sure to stroll through one of the most beautiful rose gardens in Europe.
Entrance is free and visiting hours are from 8 AM – 6:30 PM, late May through the summer.
- Contributed by Ian Zurzolo, ItalianNotebook.com editorial intern, American University of Rome senior
June 30th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
How lovely! With all the other sights to see in Rome, I didn’t know about this one. I’ll have to put it on my list for “next time.” Thanks for sharing!
June 30th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Just beautiful! Who knew? Since I have only been to Rome in the fall, I’m sure that a visit during a different season would reveal a whole new take on Rome.
June 30th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Over the years I’ve brought home to California flower seeds from Italy and Sicily which allows me to look out any window to be reminded of the “Old Country.” Also, years ago, I brought over tree seeds and fig cuttings (eleven types), at my home the sense of the Italian countryside is thus always in full effect…. Which reminds me, I’ve read about the disappointment people have with the large leaf basil from Naples, that “it makes a poor pesto;” this basil is not for cooking (though there are probably exceptions) but used in sandwiches as we use lettuce, try it, its faint basil taste is a great flavor enhancer, especially with ham.
June 30th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Beautiful photographs. And a great view!
June 30th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Thanks Ian, we will stop by to see the gardens. Missed them before when we were in the area.
June 30th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
You’re welcome!
If you are looking for peace and quiet with some beautiful flora, you can also find many botanical gardens in Italy. There is even one in Rome, near Trastevere. Here is a link to some of the locations in Italy:
http://www.italiantourism.com/botanic.html
June 30th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
I had no idea this was in Rome. I have been at the Circus Maximus once and did not notice this. Next year we will be returning to Rome,and I will put this on our list of other places to see.
Thank you for sending this article to us.
Ciao,
Claudia
July 1st, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Another – world famous – Italian Rose Garden can be found here:
The Roseto botanico Carla Fineschi di Cavriglia is an italian rose garden, located in the city of Cavriglia.
It was created in1967 on initiative of Professeur Gianfranco Fineschi, member of the Faculty of medicine of the Catholic University of Rome. Its goal has always been to acquire appropriate examples from he genus Rosa, and to organize them taxonomically, according to a precise scheme. Today, the roseto has more than 8000 cultivars.
This description is from the web site: http://tinyurl.com/njtx8v