Villa Borghese In Rome Will Thrill The Tourists |
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| By Eran Malloch | ||||
The 148 acres of this tranquil setting is not the largest retreat of its kind but you will find museums there, along with a beautiful artificial lake and aviaries to enjoy as well. In the 16th century Cardinal Borghese set about to create a beautiful villa based on the geometric model of Versailles. The Cardinal even provided the initial sketch that was used to construct the villa that is at the heart of the compound. An artificial lake, which contains a small Ionic temple was added towards the end of the 18th Century. Just as Cardinal Borghese took great pleasure in admiring the peacocks, ostriches and other exotic birds in the aviaries where gazelles once stayed, these birds are there for your enjoyment as well. At the turn of the 20th century, the grounds and facilities of Villa Borghese were donated to the City of Rome. Since then a number of improvements have been made, including more temples, sculptures and fountains. A notable fountain you can see there is the original version of the Tritons in the Fountain of the Moor which can be seen at the Piazza Navona in the city. The actual ones in the fountain are not originals but replicas of these originals. Villa Borghese has now been a public park for a century and it has become a wonderful place to discover a wide variety of delights. For example, depending on the time of year you visit, you may find horse jumping contests going on at Siena Square. Also, at the Piazza di Siena Amphitheater on any given evening you may find an outdoor concert about to be given. If the music isn't to your liking, wander over to the botanical garden and get lost in the plant life. But as you leave the gardens, be on the look out for a stunning example of 18th century baroque architecture in the arch named 'Arco di Settimio Severo'. If you feel hunger pangs come upon you, not to worry because there is a small bar in the middle of the park that offers a delightful and authentic Italian pasta dish or where you can be refreshed by a Campari. It is a short stroll from that bar to find some of the exhibitions that were on display at the 1911 World Exposition here for you to explore. But over the decades what has really become a draw for tourists and locals alike are the excellent museums that are on the grounds of the park. Naturally you will find a good representation of Bernini sculpture on display since that artist is the man most often credited with designing many of the outdoor fountains in Rome. The Museo e Galleria Borghese does not disappoint, so you can find such brilliant Bernini pieces as Bernini's Abduction of Proserpina by Pluto here. This gallery is well diversified with the artwork of a number of well respected artists including Titian and Raphael. Another museum that gets a great deal of tourist attention is the Museo Nazionale Etrusco that is on display at the Villa Giulia. The Villa's name originated from the first owner of the property. Pope Julius II used it for his summer home starting in 1553. The name of the museum is accurate because inside you will find many artworks from the Etruscan collection that had been found during excavation near Rome. It is easy to find the entrance to the Villa Borghese because it can be found just north of the Spanish Steps. Navigate to that location and you will find the entrance at the end of the Via Veneto and above Piazza del Poppolo and the Porta Pinciana. The Villa Borghese is a wonderful place to spend a morning and get that rest and quiet that is so helpful during a busy tourist schedule and to recover in time to go out for an exciting time exploring the Roman nightlife. |
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| Article Source: http://zonix.co.za | ||||
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