Colli Aventino

For this week's monument, it's time to explore one of Rome's legendary seven hills. Colli Aventino, known in English as Aventine Hill, is located near Roma's working class Testaccio neighborhood. Testaccio is a great place to explore if you are interested in good food and traditional Roman life. The area is well known throughout Roma for it's butcher shops, where you can pick up snacks for a hilltop picnic. Some of Roma's best views can be found on top of the hill, including the unique vantage point from Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta.

When you reach the piazza at the top of Colli Aventino, you'll see a large marble facade. Walk up to the door, and peer into the keyhole to see this spectacular view of a tunnel of hedges leading to Saint Peter's Basilica. You'll actually be viewing three different countries at once! You stand in Italy, looking into the keyhole of a garden that is the property of the Knights of Malta, and you see a view of the Cupola di San Pietro (St. Peters Dome) in Vatican City.

While on top of Colli Aventino, take a short walk to Parco Savello for a more panoramic view of the city. It's also known as Giardino degli Aranci (Garden of the Oranges) for it's small but lovely orange grove, perfect for a picnic. Facing the keyhole, walk down Via di Santa Sabina for a few minutes, and the park will be on your left.

From Porta San Giovanni, take Tram 3 towards Piazza Ostiense. Get off at Piazza Albania and take a short walk up Aventine hill, which will be on your right. If liked the scenic tram ride, just imagine it at night! TramTracks follows this route on Monday evenings, accompanied by a live band and delicious Italian apericena.

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