Do you want to discover strange but extraordinary places to visit in Rome concerning Vatican City?
Listing all the curious, hidden corners, not touristy in Rome is an endless enterprise.
Here you will not find the usual monuments, tourist attractions and discounted places for tourists, but a careful and entertaining selection of the most unusual 4 places to see, at least once in a lifetime, worth visiting in the Capital.
Listing all the curious, hidden corners, not touristy in Rome is an endless enterprise.
Here you will not find the usual monuments, tourist attractions and discounted places for tourists, but a careful and entertaining selection of the most unusual 4 places to see, at least once in a lifetime, worth visiting in the Capital.
1. “The Keyhole Of The Door Of The Priory Of The Knights Of Malta”
If you want to spend a day surrounded by greenery, but also in culture you can walk in the magnificent setting of the Aventino hill, where you get out of the hustle and bustle that surrounds Rome daily, the area is in fact very quiet and silent. There is a small ‘surprise’ for those who want to enjoy a suggestive panorama : the keyhole of the door of the Priory of the Knights of Malta, next to the “Giardino degli Aranci”.
If you want to spend a day surrounded by greenery, but also in culture you can walk in the magnificent setting of the Aventino hill, where you get out of the hustle and bustle that surrounds Rome daily, the area is in fact very quiet and silent. There is a small ‘surprise’ for those who want to enjoy a suggestive panorama : the keyhole of the door of the Priory of the Knights of Malta, next to the “Giardino degli Aranci”.
Continuing in Piazza Cavalieri di Malta there is the Villa of the Priory of Malta. If the door of the villa is closed you will surely find people in line. They are waiting to rest their eyes on the big door and look through the keyhole. Here you can admire a splendid view of the Dome of Saint Peter, which appears along the avenue of the Gardens of the Order, lined with trees. The view is really unexpected for those who do not know. It’s definitely an opportunity to take some special pictures of the “Cupolone” view.
The keyhole is in fact a perspective game that can make the view of the dome different from the usual, and exciting.
The keyhole is in fact a perspective game that can make the view of the dome different from the usual, and exciting.
2. “The Cannon of the Gianicolo”
Climbing the Gianicolo Hill to witness the unusual rite of the cannon shot is a way to fully penetrate the skin and history of Rome.
This is where the magic begins: the terrace offers a spectacular view of the historic centre of Rome, one of the most romantic of the city.
Climbing the Gianicolo Hill to witness the unusual rite of the cannon shot is a way to fully penetrate the skin and history of Rome.
This is where the magic begins: the terrace offers a spectacular view of the historic centre of Rome, one of the most romantic of the city.
In addition to admiring the busts of Giuseppe Garibaldi and the mythical statue of Anita Garibaldi on horseback, you can witness a rite that has been repeated since 1847. Whether there is rain, sun, heat, cold, snow or heat, it does not matter, there are things that repeat precise and punctual. Interrupted in several moments and during the Second World War, on 21 April 1959, on the occasion of 2712° Anniversary of the Foundation of Rome, the cannon resumed its activity.
It is possible to watch for free daily at 12:00 o’clock for a cannon shot that gives the start to all the bells of the churches of Rome, so they can ring in unison at noon. It was Papa Pio IX who introduced the blank cannonade to give a “standard” to the bells of the churches of Rome, so that they were univocal.
It is possible to watch for free daily at 12:00 o’clock for a cannon shot that gives the start to all the bells of the churches of Rome, so they can ring in unison at noon. It was Papa Pio IX who introduced the blank cannonade to give a “standard” to the bells of the churches of Rome, so that they were univocal.
3. “I Centri del Colonnato”
The main square of Vatican city, St Peter’s Square, has not always been as we know it today. Between 1656 and 1667 Gian Lorenzo Bernini created, for the Pope Alessandro VII Chigi, the grandiose portico that delimits the square of San Pietro.
After several destructions of pre-existing structures, a new project was reached with many difficulties, which initially aroused fierce criticism but which later became a key reference point for modern architecture worldwide.
The main square of Vatican city, St Peter’s Square, has not always been as we know it today. Between 1656 and 1667 Gian Lorenzo Bernini created, for the Pope Alessandro VII Chigi, the grandiose portico that delimits the square of San Pietro.
After several destructions of pre-existing structures, a new project was reached with many difficulties, which initially aroused fierce criticism but which later became a key reference point for modern architecture worldwide.
St Peter’s Square is extremely symbolic: the elliptical shape of the square indicates the universe; its famous colonnade, a large “embrace” to the city of Rome and to all mankind, formed by two wings of giant columns, distributed in multiple rows; the 140 statues of the saints offer mediation between the mass of the porch and the void of heaven, reference to spiritual meditation between the world and God.
Pausing on the colonnade we want to reveal one of its great peculiarities: try to stop precisely on the small circular tile located on the ground and look around: the 4 rows of columns will suddenly become one: this thanks to a brilliant optical effect created by the gradual increase of the diameter of the columns themselves.
Pausing on the colonnade we want to reveal one of its great peculiarities: try to stop precisely on the small circular tile located on the ground and look around: the 4 rows of columns will suddenly become one: this thanks to a brilliant optical effect created by the gradual increase of the diameter of the columns themselves.
This particular perspective can only be seen from two circled points, near the obelisk, on the floor of the square, marking the centre of the colonnade and from where there is always someone ready to admire this perspective miracle.
Moreover, crossing the square, it seems that the columns approach and move away creating movement, this happens thanks to particular geometric calculations and studies on optical effects.
Moreover, crossing the square, it seems that the columns approach and move away creating movement, this happens thanks to particular geometric calculations and studies on optical effects.
4. “Piccolomini street”
Another spectacular optical effect linked to the dome of San Pietro can be admired from Via Niccolò Piccolomini, near the Appia Antica. Walking along this small residential street you can see the huge dome of San Pietro. From this point too there is a singular and curious phenomenon. The further you go, the larger and closer the “Cupolone” will appear, while if you approach, the dome will seem to be moving away… In short, another extraordinary optical effect that Rome offers you.
Another spectacular optical effect linked to the dome of San Pietro can be admired from Via Niccolò Piccolomini, near the Appia Antica. Walking along this small residential street you can see the huge dome of San Pietro. From this point too there is a singular and curious phenomenon. The further you go, the larger and closer the “Cupolone” will appear, while if you approach, the dome will seem to be moving away… In short, another extraordinary optical effect that Rome offers you.
