Villa Borghese

Overview

Villa Borghese is Rome's "Central Park." It is a massive, lush, heart-shaped public park sitting above Piazza del Popolo, offering a brilliant, expansive green escape from the chaotic stone labyrinth of the city center.

Highlights

• The Pincio Terrace: The manicured, statuesque western edge of the park offering the single most famous, sweeping sunset view over Piazza del Popolo and the dome of St. Peter's.
• The Temple of Aesculapius: A romantic, photographed 18th-century faux-ancient temple sitting beautifully on a tiny island in the middle of a small boating lake.
• Galleria Borghese: the crown jewel of the park, a stunning 17th-century villa housing one of the greatest collections of Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio paintings in the world.

History

Originally the massive, private vineyard and hunting estate of the powerful Cardinal Scipione Borghese in 1605. He terraformed the land into the most extensive gardens built in Rome since antiquity. After centuries of private aristocratic ownership, the financially ruined Borghese family was forced to sell the entire massive estate to the Italian State in 1901, who opened it to the public.

Visitor Tips

• Mobility: Because the park is so massive (80 hectares), by far the best way to explore it is to rent a four-wheeled pedal surrey (risciò) or an electric golf cart from one of the many vendors near the entrances.
• The Boats: You can rent charming, slightly creaky wooden rowboats to paddle around the Temple of Aesculapius lake for a few euros.
• : 2–3 hours (excluding museum visits).