RST Top 40. #11: Monte Mario - "wild" within the city

Views from Lo Zodiaco at the top of Monte Mario

 Monte Mario is Rome’s own “mountain.” At 450 feet, it may not seem like much, but it has nice wooded paths and great views at the top. For both its green space within the city and its sweeping views, we put it in Rome the Second Time’s Top 40 countdown at #11.






The paths are broad and well-maintained

Monte Mario is a great reclamation story for Rome, since its 150 hectares (370 acres) have been taken from private property. There are some nice explanatory boards and, while they’re in Italian, even without the language one can make out some of the history (foundries operated here 2000 years ago) and flora and fauna.



As you near the top, you have nice views of St. Peter’s and behind you the Fascist-era observatory (you can’t go in).

Then the best views, from the restaurant/bar Lo Zodiaco, where you can sit outside with a coffee or beer, look through the telescopes at the Tiber and monuments, and feed the animals (see photo at right).



A map of the Monte Mario "park."  One of our techniques
is to take a photo of a map and then check it on our camera
as we proceed on our trek.



There are more walks around here - urban and green - and more history and buildings, all described in Itinerary 9 of Rome the Second Time.  

Buon trekking!



Dianne

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