Overview
Rome, situated in the Lazio region of central Italy, is located on the banks of the Tiber River. The original settlement was established on hills that overlooked a ford near the Tiber Island, which was the only natural crossing point in the area. During the time of the Kings, Rome was built on seven hills: Aventine Hill, Caelian Hill, Capitoline Hill, Esquiline Hill, Palatine Hill, Quirinal Hill, and Viminal Hill. Additionally, the city is also intersected by the Aniene River, which joins the Tiber to the north of the historic center.
Although the city center is approximately 24 km (15 mi) inland from the Tyrrhenian Sea, the city's territory extends to the coast, where the district of Ostia is situated in the southwest. The elevation of the central part of Rome varies from 13 m (43 ft) above sea level at the base of the Pantheon to 139 m (456 ft) above sea level at the peak of Monte Mario. The overall area covered by the Municipality of Rome is around 1,285 km2 (496 sq mi), including numerous green spaces.
Rome boasts a significant amount of public parks and nature reserves, making it one of the European capitals with the largest green areas. The most remarkable aspect of this green space is the abundance of villas and landscaped gardens created by the Italian aristocracy. While many of the parks surrounding these villas were demolished during the construction boom of the late 19th century, some have managed to survive.
Among the notable ones are Villa Borghese, Villa Ada, and Villa Doria Pamphili. Villa Doria Pamphili, covering an area of approximately 1.8 km2 (0.7 sq mi), is located west of the Gianicolo hill. The Villa Sciarra, situated on the hill, offers playgrounds for children and shaded walking areas. In the nearby Trastevere area, the Orto Botanico (Botanical Garden) provides a refreshing and shaded green space. The old Roman hippodrome, known as Circus Maximus, is another extensive green area, although it lacks trees. It is overlooked by the Palatine Hill and the Rose Garden.
Cheap Hotels in Rome, Italia