Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Get your parks on, part II – Doria Pamphili

During one of my trips here I was walking toward Vatican City, or so I thought. I got completely lost and ended up in Rome’s largest park. This park is massive.

I was lost for hours. It was a nice day so I didn’t mind.

Only recently I realized I could enter the park from the Gianicolo Hill. This is a very historic area. Garibaldi and his troops fought against the French in several bloody battles. They lost. You can see the damage to a villa on the right as you enter the park. Another villa was completely destroyed.

In the mornings this area does have more joggers than the Borghese Park. There is a lake full of swans, lots of fields and bike trails. The park is also very popular with bird watchers.

Mass in the Pamphili private chapel has been opened to the public since 1970 after a law was passed banning private services.

Here is more info on the park.


Some joggers near the old wall.


Bella villa. Casino del Bel Respiro was the summer home built by Pope Innocent X for his nephew Prince Camilio Pamphili. It was built in the mid-1600s. There is no water in the fountains but the grounds (the space outside the gate is accessible) are still worth checking out.


Pretty gardens. It was hard to get a good picture because I was on a hill facing the sun.

7 comments:

Petulia said...

Hey there- remind me next time I am in Rome we'll have Amina tell us the story about her uncle camping in Villa Pamphili during the Rome Olympics.
Now I am curious to see which park you will feature next

Jen said...

Those mazes are spectacular. So beautiful!

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

petulia - I can't wait to here this story. I'm done with the parks for now.

jen - aren't they?

Valerie said...

Wow, what gorgeous gardens! I've never seen this corner of Roma.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

valerie - I was so surprised during a morning jog when I looked to my left and saw the gardens. I had to come back and took some photos. This park is a great place to come to for some peace and quiet.

Cherrye at My Bella Vita said...

Those gardens are very cool. I think your pic is just great!

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

Thanks Cherrye!