Orange Garden

The Aventine Hill has long been a place of retreat and power. In the 10th century, the Crescenzi family built a castle here to dominate the Tiber River, a structure that was later expanded in the 13th century by the Savelli family. These ancient walls still enclose the garden today, giving it the feeling of a secret courtyard protected from the outside world. For centuries, this specific plot of land served as an orchard for the Dominican friars of the neighbouring Basilica of Santa Sabina, who tended to the citrus trees in quiet contemplation. The transformation from a private monastic garden to a public treasure occurred in 1932. The city commissioned architect Raffaele De Vico to create a new viewpoint that would rival the famous terraces of the Pincian and Janiculum hills. De Vico designed the space with strict symmetry, ensuring that the central avenue acted as a visual corridor leading the eye directly toward the distant dome of the Vatican. This clever use of perspective made the garden an immediate success, becoming a favourite haunt for poets, lovers, and artists seeking inspiration from the Roman skyline. Today, the legacy of the Orange Garden is intertwined with the history of Italian cinema and culture. The main walkway is named after Nino Manfredi, one of the most beloved actors in Italian history, while the central piazza honours Fiorenzo Fiorentini. This connection to the arts continues through summer theatre festivals and the many filmmakers who choose this spot for its timeless aesthetic. It remains a place where the scent of orange blossoms and the echoes of medieval history come together to offer a uniquely peaceful Roman experience.