Municipal Rose Garden

Every year, in late spring, on the eastern side of the Aventine Hill, in the area of the Circus Maximus, takes place one of the shows most extraordinary natural but at the same time ephemeral: the flowering of a thousand roses.
The Municipal Rose Garden of Rome is composed of two distinct sections: a further upstream, a bit ‘wider and a lower one, separated by a short road, via di Valle Murcia, along which there are two main gates d’ access.

Despite its relatively modest size, a total of approximately 10,000 square meters (ie 1 hectare), the number of varieties that are crowded along the gently sloping terrain of the rose garden is remarkable, over 1000, coming from no less than twenty countries. Due to its special nature, the rose garden is only open from early May to mid-late June, that is when the plants are in full bloom. In this circumstance, towards the end of May, is held annually a prestigious international contest called Rome Prize.
During these two months, the public can visit the rose garden every day, free of charge, from 8:00 to 19:30. All the staff are very friendly and willing to answer many questions from visitors. There are also guided tours, but do not have a set time (call us at 06-5746810 for an appointment).

As with many other places in Rome, also the story of how it came into the rose garden is curious and has its roots – it’s appropriate to say – way back in time.