Garden of Oranges or Il Giardino degli Aranci – Rome

 

Giardino degli aranci

The Garden of Oranges is a little hidden treasure cove that you will not often hear about in tourist guides.  A tranquil little park with impressive views stretching across the rooftops of Rome all the way to St Peters Basilica.  Also known as PARCO SAVELLO the Garden of Oranges is located behind the Basilica of Santa Sabina, one street back from the Lungotevere River in the centre of Rome and walking distance from the Ghetto di Roma or the Jewish quarter.

I love this area of Rome, it always seems at peace in the side streets and the park reflects this atmosphere.

Local families that live nearby bring their kids here to kick soccer balls around for an hour or two or run around under the shade of the orange trees after school.  Beautifully manicured the walking area and viewing point are laden with marble seating and crafted stone, and the inner shaded area with luscious green grass and fallen ripe oranges.

A small way down the road behind the park is the Military Order of the Knights of Malta, at the entrance there are some grand iron gates, through the keyhole of the gates there is a surprise in store.  I had heard about the breathtaking view that you could see through this keyhole yet I didn’t believe it could be real until I had my own personal close up experience.  With one eye closed and the other up close to the keyhole I peered through the hole, the view is incredible and not what I expected, it almost seemed magnified, a direct view straight to the top of the Cupola on top of St Peters Basilica, yet what makes it all the more special is that the view through the hole is surrounded by a perfectly manicured  green hedge in the shape of a dome just like the Cupola and gives the illusion that it stretches for ever, all the way across the roof tops through the park to the furthest point.  This little space is an oasis in the early evening.

Parco Aranci is just another of the many wonderful parks in Rome that I love.

Discover our exquisite collection of hand picked boutique LUXURY FIRST CLASS HOTELS in ROME…  CLICK HERE 

If you are interested in custom designed guided tours in Rome or have any questions please enquire by emailing at: info@italianalluretravel.com