Villa Borghese: The Park of Wonders in Rome

Hello little explorers! Are you ready for an adventure in the green heart of Rome? With this audio guide, we will visit Villa Borghese, a charming and romantic park filled with statues, fountains, and hidden temples. Together, we will walk between art and nature, so backpack on... let's go!

Welcome to Villa Borghese

Hello little explorers! Today you are in one of the most beautiful places in Rome: Villa Borghese! It is a huge park, with centuries-old trees, magical fountains, statues, temples, and... even a museum full of masterpieces! A long time ago, in 1605, a very important gentleman, Cardinal Scipione Borghese, decided to transform a vineyard into a special place where art and nature could coexist. He was the nephew of the Pope, so he had plenty of ideas and power! He had a beautiful villa built, which is now called the Borghese Gallery, and all around it, he created gardens, tree-lined avenues, fountains, and statues. Over time, Villa Borghese changed many times: in the 18th century, another prince, Marcantonio Borghese, added temples, small lakes, and new statues. Imagine that the Temple of Aesculapius, set in the middle of a pond with little boats, looks like something out of a fairy tale! And do you know something curious? In the past, parties, concerts, and even firework displays were organized here! Then, in 1903, the Villa was donated to the Municipality of Rome and became a park open to everyone! Today Villa Borghese is like a large open-air museum: you can walk among ancient trees, see statues, and discover wonderful stories. Get ready, our journey is about to begin!

Porta Pinciana

Let us begin our journey at a very special entrance: Porta Pinciana, an ancient gate that is part of the Aurelian Walls, built nearly 1800 years ago to defend Rome! The name comes from an influential family, the Pinci, who lived in this area a long time ago. Near Porta Pinciana is the Piazzale del Museo Borghese, where you can see the villa that Cardinal Scipione wanted to construct to amaze everyone. The building is elegant and surrounded by extremely tall and fragrant trees such as pines, holm oaks, cedars, and plane trees. Some trees are so old that they might have seen the cardinal himself strolling in the park! Once upon a time, visitors were so enchanted by this place that they didn't want to go inside! It is said that many spent hours just gazing at the landscape, even before setting foot in the museum. The villa is truly a magical place where history and nature meet. And now... are you ready to discover the next wonders of Villa Borghese? Let’s go!

The Lake Garden and the Temple of Aesculapius

In the heart of Villa Borghese lies a very special little lake: it's the Garden of the Lake! This place was created more than two hundred years ago, when an Italian architect, Antonio Asprucci, along with an English garden expert, Jacob Moore, decided to build a romantic and nature-filled corner. In the center of the lake, there is a small temple dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine. It features elegant columns and is adorned with symbolic animals like owls, roosters, and goats. But the most beautiful thing is that you can admire it from a little boat! In fact, you can rent a boat and gently paddle across the water, just like the elegant gentlemen of the 19th century used to do. A long time ago, in the gardens, you could even borrow books to read in the shade of the trees! And during the wars, vegetables were grown here to help those in need. Today, the Garden of the Lake is one of the most beloved spots in the park, perfect for dreaming, discovery, and enjoying nature!

Borghese Gallery

Within Villa Borghese, there is a beautiful palace that once served as the home of a very powerful cardinal named Scipione Borghese. He had a deep love for art and wanted to create a special place to house all his favorite paintings and sculptures. Thus, the Borghese Gallery was born! Here, you can view famous works by artists such as Caravaggio, Bernini, Canova, and Raphael. There are statues that seem alive, like "Apollo and Daphne," and paintings that tell incredible stories, such as "David with the Head of Goliath." The villa was also a place for walks and hunts and featured an orderly garden filled with fountains. Some of the decorations were sold to Napoleon, but many beauties remain here, to be admired by all. Scipione Borghese was so passionate that he even resorted to "stealing" a painting from Perugia because he wanted it at all costs! Today, the Gallery is one of the most beautiful museums in Rome, filled with history and wonders.

The Hidden Gardens

Near the Borghese Gallery, there are hidden gardens: the Secret Gardens! Once, they were reserved only for Cardinal Scipione Borghese and his most special guests. They were like small green worlds where one could relax and enjoy the beauty of flowers. There was the Garden of the Melangoli (with bitter oranges), the Flower Garden (full of rare plants), the Sundial Garden (with a solar clock), and the Cultivation Garden, where plants were grown to be moved to the other gardens. Every detail was meticulously cared for: decorative flowerbeds, geometric pathways, and even a grand entrance with dragon statues, a symbol of the Borghese family. During the war, these gardens also changed function and were used to cultivate vegetables. But today, they have returned to their former splendor. Cardinal Scipione, proud of his villa, had a special phrase engraved that said, "I, custodian of Villa Borghese, offer it to everyone." A beautiful gesture that makes this place even more special!

The Pincio Terrace

Imagine climbing to the top of a hill and seeing all of Rome at your feet! This is what happens from the Terrace of Pincio. From here, you can admire Piazza del Popolo, the dome of St. Peter's, and many roofs and monuments of the city. Do you know why this place is called "Pincio"? Because we are on the Pincian Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome. The ancient Romans believed this was a magical place, where the gods would come to look over the city. Long ago, this area was filled with vineyards and gardens. But in the 1800s, an architect named Giuseppe Valadier transformed it into a beautiful public promenade. He built staircases, ramps, and winding avenues, thus giving birth to the famous Pincian Promenade! Today, there are statues of famous figures, such as Dante and Galileo, and even a clock that works with water, called a hydrochronometer. It was constructed in 1867 and still stands there! The terrace is perfect for watching the sunset, strolling, or enjoying a nice picnic. And thanks to a special path, it is directly connected to Villa Borghese. It is one of the most magical places in all of Rome!

Pietro Canonica Museum

In the heart of Villa Borghese, near Piazza di Siena, lies a special place: the Pietro Canonica Museum. The museum is housed in a building that resembles a small castle: the Fortezzuola. Long ago, this building was used to keep animals such as peacocks, ducks, and even ostriches, which the Borghese family raised for their hunting parties! In 1927, the Fortezzuola became the home and studio of Pietro Canonica, a highly skilled sculptor who had traveled all over Europe. He created portraits and statues for kings, queens, and famous nobles. He also loved music, composing songs and melodies. When Canonica passed away, he left all his works to the city, allowing us to visit his museum today and discover how he worked! On the ground floor, you'll find his workshop, filled with statues, casts, and sketches. Upstairs, you can enter his home, complete with original furniture, antique paintings, and personal items. Among his most beautiful works is the bust of Beatrice, inspired by the woman loved by Dante. The museum also houses numerous art books and an archive with old photos that narrate the artist's life. It is a peaceful and intriguing place, perfect for young explorers eager to see how a true artist lived and created!

The Temple of Diana and the Fountain of the Sea Horses

In Villa Borghese, there are many corners to discover, but one of the most beautiful is where the Temple of Diana is located. Diana was the goddess of hunting, and this small ancient-style temple is dedicated to her. Although it is small, the Temple is elegant and often hosts exhibitions and artistic activities. Not far away, there is a truly charming little square with a large fountain in the center: it is the Fountain of the Marine Horses! This fountain was built in 1791 and has an interesting history. Instead of the usual horses, there are hippocampi here, mythical creatures half horse and half fish! They spout water from all sides and seem almost to dance in the large round basin. It is said that the idea for this fountain was born from a dream of Prince Borghese... or from an ancient cameo showing marine horses. Who knows? Near this fountain, there are also the Dragon Fountains! They are smaller but very scenic. From the mouths of the dragons — a symbol of the Borghese family — water flows into a basin. They seem to guard the gardens! And finally, hidden among the trees, there is also the Fountain of Venus, dedicated to the goddess of beauty. Although it is not as famous as the others, it contributes to the magic of the park. All these fountains make Villa Borghese a true enchanted world, where water, statues, and fantasy meet!