|
|
 |
|
Via Garibaldi and the view from S. Pietro in Montorio |
|
written
by Lesley Everett / 07.04.2004 |
|
|
| |
Location |
| |
Via Garibaldi is quite a long street in Trastevere, but the place I found and the view I want to "show and tell" about is up in a little green park directly southeast of the southern end of Parco Gianicolense (Janiculum hill). Via Garibaldi makes a steep switchback up a hill to the viewpoint and to S. Pietro in Montorio. To get there, I walked over the river on Ponte Sublicio, N.W. to Viale di Trastevere, left on Via Morosini which turns into Via G. Mameli, and finally up the switchback road (Garibaldi) that intersects Via Mameli. The church and lookout point are right at the top of the hill-- impossible to miss.
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Description |
| |
At the top of the switchback on Via Garibaldi, there's a long row of parking spots under a big set of shady trees. In front of the trees is a walkway and barrier wall where you can walk along or sit and enjoy the skyline. Right across the street from the walkways is S. Pietro in Montorio, a giant white church with a fairly elaborate staircase and portico. I visited in the early afternoon but wasn't able to go into the church because a wedding was underway. The city view would be great any time of day, but probably best in the evening as the sun sets.
After I came home and read about the church, I learned that there's an important thing to see there that I'd missed out on: You should peek through the grill at Bramante's Tempietto in the courtyard (the small temple he designed to mark the spot where St. Peter was supposedly crucified).
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Story of Discovery |
| |
I found this church and viewpoint on one of our free afternoons as I was just wandering around. I was heading up to the park on Janiculum hill to walk the "Passeggiata di Gianicolo" and I just so happened to take Via Garibaldi up the hill. As soon as I rounded the last corner, I saw the big church, a huge wedding party out in the courtyard, the panoramic view of the city, and a grassy park and monument all spread out before me.
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Element of Interest |
| |
What took me most by surprise about this little viewpoint and hill area was how quiet and peaceful it seemed. You can stand at the overlook and see the river and traffic and all of Rome spread out before you, but up there by the church everything is relaxed and soothing. I was really surprised to find a place like that just tucked up on the edge of the hill. As I was walking around, the church organ started playing and I could hear it perfectly well from outside. This would be a great place to come for a picnic or to read or write for class.
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Image |
| |
| |
|
|
| S. Pietro in Montorio |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| S. Pietro facade |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| panorama of city |
|
| |
|
I included three images to illustrate my descriptions. The first is of the Bramante Temple in the courtyard. It's one of the most important features of the church and has quite an unusual rotunda design. The second picture shows the front of S. Pietro, the side facing out over the river and city below. This picture makes the church look very small and narrow, but in reality it's quite large and extends straight back from this point. The third picture is a panorama of the city which is visible from the walkway and from the church steps. The Campidoglio, Pantheon, Villa Borghese, Colosseum, and Castel Sant'Angelo are all visible from this point.
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
