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In some ways Rome is like any big city in the world because it is constantly on the go with outdoor activities for the citizens and visitors to the city. So when you visit Rome, the pace of seeing and enjoying such a busy metropolis can wear out even the most intrepid traveller. So to find that peace and quiet where you can still enjoy the best of Rome in a more tranquil setting, head to Villa Borghese.

The 148 acres of this tranquil setting is not the largest retreat of its kind but you will find museums there, along with a beautiful artificial lake and aviaries to enjoy as well. In the 16th century Cardinal Borghese set about to create a beautiful villa based on the geometric model of Versailles. The Cardinal even provided the initial sketch that was used to construct the villa that is at the heart of the compound.

The man made lake was added in the 18th century to the center of Villa Borghese. To add to the scenic vision of the lake, a small Ionic style temple was added which was dedicated to the God of Healing.

The Cardinal was clearly a lover of bird watching because in the gardens where gazelles once grazed, he built beautiful aviaries where he could enjoy the presence of exotic birds like peacocks and ostriches.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Villa Borghese was handed over to the city of Rome for a public park. Since then much has been done to improve the location, including the addition of a number of temples, many artistic fountains and many fine sculptures just as can be found in the city. When admiring the sculptures around the grounds, don’t be surprised if you find the original Tritons exactly like the ones you saw at the Fountain of the Moor in the Piazza Novona. These sculptures at Villa Borghese are the originals for that fountain. The ones you see in the Piazza are replicas that were made in the 19th century.

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 get a bit faint from hunger, not to worry, there is a small bar in the center of the Villa where you can find tasty and authentic Italian pasta or just sit back and recuperate your energies over a Campari. And when you are ready to move on, not far from the cafe are the pavilions that were shown at the 1911 Word Exposition.

Without fail though, most tourists are drawn to the many museums that have become popular on the grounds of Villa Borghese.

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.

The original summer residence for Pope Julius II that he used in 1553 can be found in the Villa Giulia. The name of that villa, the Museo Nazionale Etrusco lets us know that a tour of the museum will let us see some fascinating Etruscan art works that were found in excavations in the hills that surround Rome.

It is easy to find the entrance to the Villa Borghese because it can be found just north of the Spanish Steps. Navigate to that location and you will find the entrance at the end of the Via Veneto and above Piazza del Poppolo and the Porta Pinciana. The Villa Borghese is a wonderful place to spend a morning and get that rest and quiet that is so helpful during a busy tourist schedule and to recover in time to go out for an exciting time exploring the Roman nightlife.

Tags: Travel