This short itinerary (3.5 km) will let you discover the Aventino Hill in the cheapest way, for free!
The Aventino Hill stroll is a wonderful destination after Colosseum visit because of it is possible to start both from Colosseo metro stop and Circo Massimo stop.
It is also a good option if combined with:
-Caracalla Termal Bath’s visit
-Dinner and after dinner in Testaccio
-Macro Future’s visit
-Trastevere, Jewish Ghetto and Campidoglio Hill (strong walkers)
From Martini Bed take subway line A and change at Termini with line B (Laurentina direction). Get off at Circo Massimo… let’s start!
Walk along the road on the left of Circo Massimo, the Palatino Hill reveals its beauty on your right while you walk on the Aventino Hill.
Take a rest at one of the marmle benches over the hill and watch the amazing landscape, WOW !!! R O M A !!! The Palatino Hill on the right, behind on the left the Campidoglio Hill, the Tiber and Trastevere on your left.
Ready to re-start?
Cross the road behind you carefully, trying to not be distracted by Giuseppe Mazzini enormous monument in front of you. Walk uphill on the right of the monument taking via Valle Murcia, you are walking in the middle of Roseto Comunale di Roma ( Roses Garden of Rome) on your left and your right the two entrances of the garden.
Left (upper) side: permanent collection of roses, grouped on a chronological basis.
Righ (lower) side: selected varieties for “Premio Roma”
The entrance is free but for the 2015 will be open from 21 april to 14 June only, everyday h. 8.30 am-7.30 pm. The roses reveal their beauty in May.
The Roseto hosts 1100 different rose varieties and it is a special and romantic place. It was built in 1930 over a Jewish Cementery. The memory of the old Aventine cemetery was preserved by drawing the pathways of the larger section in the shape of a Menorah (seven-branch candelabrum).
Continue your stroll on via Valle Murcia and reach the Oranges Garden, a beautiful garden which is sorrounded by the walls of the dismantled Savelli’s fortress. The oranges (inedible) are a reminder of the orange trees planted here by St. Dominic whom brought the first orange trees to Rome as a gift for Pope Honorius III. The terrace overlooking the river offers great views over Rome. Trastevere, the Tiber with its small island, the Vatican, Campo Marzio and Campidoglio in a magic and unique view of Rome.
The garden is open during the night in summer and sometimes hosts happenings of “Estate Romana” (Roman Summer).
Now it is time to reach the Secret Key Hole, go out of the garden and turn right, pass the Saint Alessio Church on your right and stop in Piazza Cavalieri di Malta, the square was designed by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in 1765.
Do you see a big green gate?
It is the entrance of the well fortified Priory of the Knights of Malta, which is an independent territory of the Sovereign Order.
Look into the hole !!!
It‘s St Peter’s Dome in the Vatican State in a perfect perspective and sorrounded by trees!
Think about it! It happens only in Rome, you are looking through three countries!
Make some pictures of the nice surprise and prepare yourself for the quiet downhill stroll through Clivo di Rocca Savella which is on the way back on the left. The Clivio (slope) was for centuries the main access to the Aventine and in 1285 with the election of Pope Honorius IV it became one of the most important streets of Rome, because the Pope, a member of the Savelli family, preferred to hold the papal court in the family fortress (Rocca Savella) at the top of the street. Today the street is open only in day time and it has a very fine view over Rome.
Once arrived at the end walk along Via Santa Maria in Cosmedin and cross via della Greca, you will find the Bocca della Verità ( the Mouth of Truth) an ancient Roman fountain, or perhaps a manhole cover, which represent a man-like face, probably a pagan God and it is stored under the portico of the Santa Maria in Cosmedin since 17th century.
The most famous characteristic of the Mouth, is its role as a lie detector. Starting from the Middle Ages, it was believed that if one told a lie with one’s hand in the mouth of the sculpture, it would be bitten off.
The Bocca della verità is well known worldwide because of the important scene of “Roman Holiday”
The church which hosts the Mouth of Truth is also nice to be visited, Santa Maria in Cosmedin is a good example of Byzantine Art and its bell tower is the tallest medieval belfry in Rome.
From this point you have may options like reaching Trastevere, Testaccio or Campidoglio areas. We are going to tell you the road to end your Aventino Hill stroll at Colosseo metro station.
Go out of the Portico and take via dei Cerchi, now walk along the Circo Massimo and once at its end turn left in Colosseum direction but remember that Terme di Caracalla is in front of you and it could be a nice option too.
Have a nice stroll !