Things to see and do in Villa Borghese

By Go City Expert

Villa Borghese is one of Rome’s most popular parks and, endearingly, shaped like a heart. Nestled right in the centre of the city – aptly – it’s accessible from the top of the biggest shopping street, where Via del Corso meets Piazza del Popolo, and through the impressive marble pillar gates off the once exclusive, Via Veneto. So it’s on point for location. For a bit of context, originally, Villa Borghese was one of Cardinal Scipione Borghese’s many private vineyards surrounding his villa and was later turned into a park in 1605. Its sweeping natural and English-classic landscape, as we see today, was not actually in its initial design but was changed in the 1800s to fit in with the fashions of the time. The English heritage architecture and ponds provide a romantic backdrop to your park life, with the Lake Garden and Plain of Oaks to be enjoyed; there’s so much to see and do that you could easily spend all day there. Why not rent a row boat and row across the lake, or feed the ducks with your kids? There’s plenty of other places to explore in Villa Borghese; there’s a reason it’s dubbed the park of museums by locals. Full of cultural outlets to discover Rome’s rich history of art, sculpture and all things ‘refined’ there’s a tiny cinema, a prestigious art gallery and museum and even a zoo. Il Cinema dei Piccoli – The Tiny Cinema This little green house in the heart of Villa Borghese is a must-see for the kids – and is the smallest cinema in the world, according to the Guinness World Book of Records. With afternoon screenings of kid’s films and evening showings of adult popular culture it’s a great one if you’re semi-fluent in Italian as all the films are dubbed. With no subtitles. Even if you don’t stay for a screening, it’s a fun place to stick your head through the door if anything. Viale della Pineta, 15 (+39 06 8553485) Wednesday to Friday 5pm and 6:30pm; Saturday and Sunday 3:30pm, 5pm and 6:30pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Teatro Marionette San Carlino – San Carlino Puppet Theatre Indulge in Italy’s version of Punch and Judy and take your little ones over to the Marionette Theatre, or theatre of the puppets. In true Colombina and Pulcinello style, watch this puppet show throughout the week in this small theatre with hand painted backdrops and props. Viale dei Bambini, Pincio (+39 06 3335320) Bookings are necessary. Bioparco di Roma – Rome Conservation Zoo 106 years old, Rome’s Zoo has undergone huge transformations over the years from its original Hagenbeck design (where cages were replaced with large pits) to now a well-respected zoological conservation with numerous enclosures of a wide range of exotic animals. It’s a great place to spend a few hours and stroll around the lions, giraffes and Bengal tigers – and there are plenty of interactive exhibitions for the kids to get involved with, especially if you catch some of the feeding shows too. Viale del Giardino Zoologico, 20 (+39 06 360 8211) Galleria Borghese – Borghese Gallery This famous gallery was once a collection by the Borghese family that dates back 2,000 years. There’s an eclectic mix of items and artefacts within the museum and gallery that spans 2,000 years, through the Renaissance period and up to contemporary exhibitions. It’s the largest collection of private art in the world and features masterpieces from Caravaggio, Raphael, Botticelli and Bernini. Piazzale del Museo , Borghese, 5 (+39 06 32810) Free entry with the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass but you must pre-book an allocated entry time before you arrive. Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 18:00 – Saturdays, 9:00 to 13:00

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Explore Rome's Classical Music Spots

There’s something magical about listening to classical music – both old and new. The soothing sounds date back to the 1550s - 1900 when the genre was considered mainstream, however, historians now claim that it can even be traced back to the 11th century. Although the styles and traditions might have changed from its inception to today’s practice, the sentiments are the same. With notable periods like Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic and Contemporary to consider, the genre is still one of the most respected of all the styles for its diversity and skill, echoed in the works of great masters around the world, from Bach and Beethoven, to Vivaldi and Verdi. Rome provides the perfect backdrop and soundboard for renditions of these great music pieces, and newer classical music brought to the fore. Considering Italy’s classical roots, we decided to look at some of the best places to enjoy classical music in Rome, from outdoor productions, to renowned academies of music. Teatro dell’Opera di Roma One of Rome’s original opera houses, the Teatro dell’Opera di Rome – formerly called, Teatro Costanzi – was once a stunning building complete with stuccowork, ornate decorations and a six metre chandelier. Over the years it has undergone many facelifts but has always been considered one of the best venues for a classical music performance, welcoming world-class acts since the 1880s. The auditorium is rated one of the best in the world for its acoustics and it can seat 1,600 fans from November to May. During the summer months the productions move outside, to the iconic Terme di Caracalla, where the ancient public baths, provide the backdrop for low lit performances of the greatest classical hits, from La Bohème to Aida and Tosca. Piazza Beniamino Gigli, 7 +39 06 481 60255 Istituzione Universitaria Concerti La Sapienza University, arguably the most prestigious university in Rome, has cultivated brilliant students and musicians for years – and has played an even more important part in Rome’s cultural shaping since the Second World War. After the prohibition of all concerts and musical events during WWII, it was the years 1945-46 that later saw a huge influx in efforts to revive this dormant tradition and appreciation. It was thanks to a group of young La Sapienza music students who breathed life back into the tradition of classical productions and so set up the Istituzione Universitaria Concerti to reopen classical up to the general public. Today it’s one of the best venues to go to see performances of Bach, Scarlatti, Beethoven and new ones-to-watch like Yundi Li. Lungotevere Flaminio 50 +39 06 361 0051 Villa Celimontana Another of Rome’s most famous outdoor music venues, open in the summer months only, is Villa Celimontana, up on the Caelian hill. This beautiful verdant oasis and public park lies just around the corner from the Coliseum and Baths of Caracalla. Famous for its gardens and fountains, it’s an unbeatable location for music performances. Every year it hosts the jazz festival from early July to mid-August, and this time it is championing all form of classical and jazz music, including a range of arts from theatre to dance, too. You’ll recognise some of the greatest pieces of all genres, and it’s hard to find a more impressive backdrop! Via Alessandro Poerio, 112 +39 06 583 35781 Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia Santa Cecilia, the classically devoted venue hosted inside Rome’s huge concert hall, the Auditorium Parco della Musica, boasts an impressive line-up of musicians and performances throughout the year. Performing a wide range of concerts every month, from the Youth Orchestra, to Verdi’s Requiem and Nikolai Lugansky, the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia is one of the most prestigious companies of singers and orchestras in the city. You can rest assured there will be something on that ticks every box to take you through the year and into 2016. It’s a great venue to start your first foray into the genre and offers a range of ticket prices – making classical music accessible to everyone, old and young. Viale Pietro De Coubertin, 30, 00196 Roma +39 06 8024 1281 Teatro di Marcello Teatro Marcello is an ancient open air theatre and among one of the most historic buildings in Rome. The theatre dates back to Julius Caesar, who commissioned the building, but it was later completed by Emperor Augustus in 13BC and named after his favourite nephew. The ruins of the Teatro di Marcello set the scene for stunning summer night events in the Estate Romana, held every evening from early June until October. Those with tickets to this memorable out door event can expect chamber orchestras, solo singers and classical composers performing your most loved operas and classical pieces of all time. Via del Teatro di Marcello, 00186 Roma +39 06 4561 5180 It’s evident that there isn’t a shortage of world-class classical music venues and performers in Rome, especially during the summer months. From academies, to ancient ruins, outdoor events and exclusive performances, Rome is a champion of classical music and will forever uphold the tradition and institution with pride. Image credit: mararie @Flickr
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3 Days In Rome Itinerary (72 hours in Rome)

Rome is a fascinating city full of ancient culture and whose historic ruins, monuments, and museums are waiting to teach you about its rich past. To make the most out of your time in Rome, we’ve put together a suggested 3 day itinerary to show you how you can spend three days (72 hours) in the Eternal City and see the best of what Rome has to offer. Day 1 Morning - St Peter's Basilica  St Peter’s Basilica is perhaps one of the most important religious and historic buildings in the world, let alone in Rome, so a visit to this iconic cathedral is a must. Its imposing architecture is breath-taking and inside is even better with its huge dome, Baldacchino, and Papal throne. The best thing is you can skip the queue and walk right in and make the most of a free audio guide too! Midday - Sistene Chapel and Vatican Museums Save up to four hours of queuing with the Rome and Vatican pass package and step right into the Vatican Museums. Considered some of the most prestigious museums of its kind for the sheer scale of collections and artworks on display, you can see ancient Roman bronzes, to marble sculptures, and tapestries. There are over 9 miles of art to appreciate so you’ll need a few hours to take it all in. Don’t miss Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Last Judgement, on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel before you leave. Afternoon - Castel Sant'Angelo On the bank of the River Tiber, Rome’s ancient fortress Castel Sant’Angelo – also known as Hadrian’s Mausoleum – is waiting to be discovered. Built over 2000 years ago, it has seen its fair share of events, from battles to Papal refuge and jailing criminals so it has a story to tell. Walk through its courtyards and bring Rome’s ancient history to life. Day 2 Morning - Colosseum The Colosseum is arguably the most famous amphitheatre in the world and provides a fascinating insight into the world of gladiator fighting and Ancient Roman entertainment. Walk through the ancient corridors and along the tiers that would have held aristocracy to paupers and imagine what the gruesome games would have been like as a spectator. Learn more about Rome’s ancient culture in the exhibitions – and what’s more, enjoy fast track entry to get in! Midday - Museum of Rome Revisit some of Rome’s forgotten art and sculpture at the stunning Museo di Roma. The Baroque Palazzo Braschi, a fine example of Roman architecture in itself, celebrates the ‘forgotten ages’, showcasing frescoes, mosaics, ceramics, and more. Right beside Piazza Navona its location is hard to beat, too! Spend a few hours admiring its rich collections dating back to the Middle Ages and spanning up to the mid-20th century. Afternoon - Capitoline Museums If you are an art and sculpture aficionado, make a beeline for the Capitoline Museums. Founded in 1471, they are considered the oldest museums in the world. A true museum of the people, they feature the first collections donated by Pope Sixtus IV, the original bronze statues, as well as the iconic She-Wolf suckling Romulus and Remus. Day 3 Midday - Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour See the sights of Rome from the comfort of a hop-on hop-off bus tour and let the guide do all the work. Pass the iconic sights and get a unique perspective along the way. You’ll be pointed out the Colosseum, Imperial Forum, Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza Navona, and more – and you can hop on and off at leisure to tailor-make your own itinerary. We recommend going to Campo di Fiori to see the local fresh produce. Afternoon - St John in Lateran Officially the seat of the Pope, St John in Lateran is a must for your Rome itinerary. You’ll see the baroque and Costmatesque style and architecture and 14th century Baldacchino, cloisters and Scala Sancta (Holy Steps) to which thousands make a pilgrimage to every year to see. Whether you’re a visitor or a worshiper, St John in the Lateran is not to be missed! Hopefully this gives you everything you need to see the best of Rome in 3 days. It will be an action-packed 72 hours but an unforgettable one.
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The Shame of Art Vandalism in Rome

Rome is a city of great history, art and culture and any visit should include the stunning attractions, museums and monuments to witness great masterpieces like The Last Judgement at the Sistine Chapel, Bernini’s Alter at St Peter’s Basilica and the She Wolf at the Capitoline Museums. Despite this, there are some who think otherwise and would rather vandalise and deface these historic sites rather than appreciate them. We decided to look at why vandalism is such an issue in Rome and to champion Rome’s edifying heritage and its preservation so that its legacy will live on. Did you know the world Vandal actually stems from the sacking of ancient Rome in 455, when the Vandal Kingdom descended on Rome, ransacking the city and damaging the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus by removing the bronze roof tiles? So you’ll see, vandalism in Rome is, unfortunately, not a 21st century thing. Since the sack of Rome over 1,500 years ago, clearly the issue has been around for centuries – but that doesn’t make it any more acceptable. The mistreatment and disrespect of ancient monuments, landmarks and art around the city proves a continuous battle between the authorities and the criminals. It’s not just the aftermath and clean up which is the difficulty, but the catching them red handed despite best efforts. These vandals are stealthy and secretive and seem to work right under your nose, but strike when you’re not looking. There is a prevalent case of vandalism across the city of Rome. So much so that the Italian Carabinieri, or policemen, have a targeted anti-vandalism patrol to try to control the problem. Unfortunately, it seems that it is unmanageable. Pincio park, the viewpoint in Villa Borghese overlooking Piazza del Popolo, is one of the hot spots for art-crime in the city, where marble statues of famous Italians are defaced with grafitti, or suffer brutal attacks with their noses and other body parts knocked off with hammers. Despite a six-men-strong patrol squads, who were the go 24/7, tens of thousands of euros worth of damage were inflicted on statues and busts across this peaceful pocket of green in over the summer last year alone. It’s not only the Pincio that suffers at the hands of the vandals, the Trevi Fountain has experienced its fair share of damage, being a victim of red dye thrown into its clear waters. Another serious offence was a direct anti-Pope assault vandalising the Holy steps, Scala Sancta – one of the most significant places of pilgrimage in the world. Another violent act of vandalism occured in 2011 when a man attacked one of the 19th century Moor statues in Piazza Navona with a rock causing huge damage. Thankfully the pieces were recovered and it was later repared. If you’re wondering how anyone gets away with this under the recent efforts to crack-down-on-vandalism, increasing surveilance and CCTV; well, they don’t. Anyone caught vandalising will pay for it. Literally. In 2014 a Russian tourist was caught engraving his initial, ‘K’, into one of the Coliseum’s ancient walls, which at over 2000 years old, is undeniably a punishable offence. The tourist in question used a stone to carve a ‘K’ that measuerd 25cm in total, leading to his arrest and a hefty €20,000 fine! Another notorious vandal was Laszlo Toth who gained international recognition for the wrong reasons in 1972. A man of questionable mental stability, Toth was failed geologist who moved to Rome to become known as none other than Jesus Christ himself. He took his new calling so seriously that on the 21st May he visited St Peter’s Basilica and, weilding a hammer, struck Michelangelo’s Pietà with fifteen blows. Thankfully he was wrestled to the ground before he could cause any more damage after breaking Mary’s arm, knocking a chunk off her nose and chipping one of her eyelids. It’s ironic to think that while Rome has such a problem with grafitti now, once it was considered a thing of art. Interestingly a lot of the art that’s now preserved and considered historic art heritage, such as the engravings and paintings at the Coliseum, were actually hand-painted scenes of gladiator fights by the spectators themselves. But while it might have been acceptable over two thousand years ago, times have changed and the law enforcers are on the look out. We must protect all we can of the historic monuments, art works, statues and architecture around the city otherwise who knows what might be left if noone cared. From the second sacking of the city in 455 it’s sad to think not much has changed in terms of hitting Rome where it hurts the hardest. Leave Rome’s beautiful urban landscape and art history alone – everyone will thank them for it in the long run.
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