Rome Guide
Rome
Villa Borghese
The terrace and gardens of the Pincio, immediately above Piazza del Popolo, were laid out by Valadier in the early nineteenth century, and, fringed with dilapidated busts of classical and Italian heroes, give fine views over the roofs, domes and TV antennae of central Rome, right across to St Peter's and the Janiculum Hill. Beyond lies Rome's largest central open space, the Villa Borghese, made up of the grounds of the seventeenth-century pleasure palace of Scipione Borghese. It's a huge area, with its woods, lakes and lawns offering respite from the bustle of the city centre, and any number of attractions – including some of the city's finest museums – for those who want to do more than just stroll or sunbathe.