Near the Circus Maximus
With the arrival of autumn, nature offers us the spectacle of foliage. Let’s get ready to admire the beauty of flowers at the Rose Garden in Rome: it will be open from October 24 to November 10.
“An enchanting place, in the heart of the city, with a splendid panorama and a unique botanical heritage, managed with expertise and dedication by our technicians,” were the words of Roma Capitale’s Councillor for Agriculture, Environment and Waste Cycle Sabrina Alfonsi last fall.
The rose garden is home to some 1,100 varieties of botanical, ancient and modern roses from around the world. On the slopes of the Aventine you can admire roses from the Far East, South Africa, Old Europe, New Zealand and America. Ancient species date back 40 million years, very valuable and little known.
Just in the Roman garden in May a very important event takes place: the International Rome Prize Competition.
History of the Rose Garden
As early as the 3rd century BC, the rose garden was considered the place of flowers. A beautiful temple dedicated to the goddess Flora once stood in this area, and celebrations in honor of the goddess (floralia) were held in the Circus Maximus in the spring.
In 1645 the rose garden became the Jewish Garden and cemetery. And after the Jewish cemetery was moved to the Verano, the area remained uncultivated for many years until it became the site of the new municipal rose garden in 1950.
In gratitude to the Jewish Community, which allowed the rose garden to be built on a sacred site, the paths dividing the flower beds in the collection area represent the menorah, the seven-branched candelabra symbolic of Judaism.
Then as for the idea of a rose garden in the city, we have Countess Mary Gailey Senni to thank. Her love of nature led to the construction in 1932 of the rose garden on Opium Hill, which was destroyed during World War II.
Rome rose garden opening and hours
The rose garden is not open year-round: visits are allowed only in the fall and spring. Admission is free daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Via di Valle Murcia, 6, 00153 Rome.