Rome Vacation Must-See : Villa Borghese
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by: AvaKammer
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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.
An artificial lake, which contains a small Ionic temple was added towards the end of the 18th Century.
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.
Villa Borghese has now been a public park for a century and it has become a wonderful place to discover a wide variety of delights. For example, depending on the time of year you visit, you may find horse jumping contests going on at Siena Square. Also, at the Piazza di Siena Amphitheater on any given evening you may find an outdoor concert about to be given. If the music isn't to your liking, wander over to the botanical garden and get lost in the plant life. But as you leave the gardens, be on the look out for a stunning example of 18th century baroque architecture in the arch named 'Arco di Settimio Severo'.
If you feel your appetite come up, you don't have to leave Villa Borghese to attend to your need as there is a quaint bar in the middle of the park where you can get some authentic Italian pasta or just sit back and enjoy a leisurely Campari. As you lounge in the cafe, you may be able to spot an installation of several pavilions from the 1911 World Exposition that is on display in the park for you to enjoy.
Without fail though, most tourists are drawn to the many museums that have become popular on the grounds of Villa Borghese.
One reason for the popularity is you can find some sculptures by Bernini on display at The Museo e Galleria Borghese and you can compare those here to the many fountains in the city of Rome that Bernini designed and built. A notable piece that is worth the stop is a Bernini sculpture entitled Abduction of Proserpina by Pluto. But this gallery is home to a number of famous Renaissance painters, including Raphael and Titian.
Another museum that gets a great deal of tourist attention is the Museo Nazionale Etrusco that is on display at the Villa Giulia. The Villa's name originated from the first owner of the property. Pope Julius II used it for his summer home starting in 1553. The name of the museum is accurate because inside you will find many artworks from the Etruscan collection that had been found during excavation near Rome.
To gain entrance to the Villa Borghese, simply travel to the north end of the Spanish Steps. The actual entrances can be found above the Piazza del Poppolo and the Porta Pinciana but near the end of the Via Veneto. The Villa Borghese is an ideal spot to save for that time in your trip when you need a place of quiet to enjoy some peace and respite from a very active day in the city. But be sure you allocate several hours when you are there to see and experience all that the Villa has to offer.
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