Villa Borghese gardens

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Monday 06th of February 2012

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Villa Borghese gardens

Villa Borghese is one of the greatest public parks in Rome. It is a large landscaped garden, with a variety of buildings, museums and attractions.The Villa Borghese contains sculptures and fountains arranged in the gardens, in perfect balance with the nature. The Spanish Steps leading to this park. Another entrance is that from Piazza del Popolo.

The gardens were grown for the Villa Borghese, placed on the Pincian Hill. Cardinal Scipione Borghese used the suburban villa to house his art collection.

Villa Borghese in Rome

History

In the past on the place of the gardens there were a vineyards. The oldest part of Villa Borghese was a Borghese's family small vineyard. In 1605, Cardinal Scipione Borghese, who was a nephew of Pope Paul V, began buying the neighbour lands to create the most spacious gardens built in Rome. The design of the Villa is work of two architects - Flaminio Ponzio and Giovanni Vasanzio. For the lay out of the gardens was hired another architect - Domenico Savini. The construction began the next year and was complete in 1633.

There were no modifications of the Villa Borghese until 1766, when Prince Marcantonio IV decided to transform the main buildings and the park. The biggest project was the construction of the Lake Garden. Many sculptures and fountains were arranged in the gardens of Villa Borghese. After the death of Marcantonio IV, the Villa was inherited by his son Camillo, who enlarged the property.

In 19th century the gardens were remade in a landscape gardens in English style.

The Villa Borghese was long open for public, but in the begining of 20th century the State purchased the entire property and gave it to the public in 1903. The commune of Rome decided to turn Casino Nobile with all of its artworks, into a public museum (Galleria Borghese).

Address
Entrances to Villa Borghese
Via Aldrovandi
Via Raimondi (2 entrances)
Via Pinciana (2 entrances)
Piazzale San Paolo del Brasile
Piazzale Flaminio
Piazzale Cervantes

Opening hours
Villa Borghese is always open

Website

http://en.villaborghese.it

Transport

By Bus
Villa Borghese internal bus
Electric bus 116

Buses passing through Villa Borghese
88, 95, 490, 495, 49

Buses that connect with roads around Villa Borghese
910, 52, 53, 628, 926, 223, 217

By Underground
Line A (Flaminio or Spagna stations)

By Tram
19, 3, 2

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