"GIANICOLO" Gianicolo by icunme

Gianicolo Travel Guide: 12 reviews and 69 photos

Gianicolo - Rome's aerial museum is not in Rome!

NEWS FLASH 250th Anniversary of Italy's Unification was celebrated with opening of the new wall - inscribed with the text of our Constitution. See my new Things To Do tip for more!

The most incredible view of Rome from Gianicolo Hill. I walked up the Gianicolo from Vatican square where I had gone to follow the Passetto as it entered the Vatican Papal residence. It was a winding upward trek but very rewarding - especially when I reached the summit!
Although it is the second tallest hill (Monte Mario being the first) in Rome, the Gianicolo is not among those proverbial Seven Hills of Rome as it is west of the Tiber and outside the formal boundaries of the ancient city. Janiculum (derived from Janus) served as the center for the cult of the god Janus, and the fact that it overlooked the city made it an ideal location for devotees to observe their rights.

The Janiculum is one of the best locations for a breathtaking vistas of the innumerable domes and bell towers that form the skyline of our architectural landscape.

Panorama from Gianicolo

Yep, you guessed it - right there in center left is the "cake" - also known as Vittorio Emanuelle Monument (some dub it The Vittorio Emanuelle Monstrosity). Love it or loath it - it serves us well as a landmark and has given me bearings as I wondered about, lost in unfamiliar Rome streets.

Monument honoring Garibaldi

Garibaldi

Piazzale del Gianicolo and is devoted to Garibaldi and his followers.
The Janiculum is the site of a battle in 1849 between the forces of Garibaldi and French forces fighting on behalf of the Pope, who sought to restore the dominion of Papal States over Rome. Because of this battle, several monuments to Garibaldi and to the fallen in the wars of Italian independence are on the Janiculum as well.

A single cannon fires daily at Noon from the Gianicolo toward the Tiber to signal the exact time. This tradition goes back to December 1847 when the cannon of the Castel Sant'Angelo signaled the belltowers to ring at midday. The ritual was transferred in 1904 to the Gianicolo and was discontinued in 1939. The population demanded that the Commune of Rome resume the tradition and it commenced once again on April 21, 1959, after the twenty-year interruption.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Most incredible panarama of Rome

Last visit to Gianicolo: Sep 2006
Intro Updated Apr 16, 2011
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Reviews (12)

Wall with Italy's Constitution inscribed - Gianicolo

Wall with Italy's Constitution inscribed Things to Do (7)

The Wall was inaugurated as part of our 150th Unification celebration on March 17, 2011, and you can see inscribed in... more travel advice

Apostolic Academy Off The Beaten Path (2)

Directly across from the entrance to the Apostolic Academy you will see this statue. more travel advice

Entrance to Apostolic Academy - Gianicolo

Apostolic Academy Off The Beaten Path (2)

If you walk up the hill to Gianicolo from the Vatican side you will pass this facility. more travel advice

Notte Bianca on Gianicolo Hill - Gianicolo

Notte Bianca on Gianicolo Hill Nightlife (1)

An outdoor stage - under the stars and at the top of Gianicolo overlooking Rome - a perfect setting for this fantastic... more travel advice

Restaurants (1)
Gianicolo - La Terrazza

Transportation (1)
Ride the electric Mini Bus to to...

Comments (20)

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Yaqui Apr 3, 2010 at 10:41 AM

Gianicolo is so charming and your photographs are so lovely. Thanks for sharing!
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hopang Jan 3, 2010 at 7:26 AM

Interesting Gianicolo travel page with excellent photographs. Janiculum Fountain and Gianicolo Hill certainly look and sound wonderful and interesting to visit and explore! ~ho & pang
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JLBG Nov 16, 2009 at 1:29 PM

That is a wonderful landscape on Rome!
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Pawtuxet Nov 8, 2009 at 1:04 PM

Those Romans really knew how to build a fountain! I'm ready for that buffet for dinner...let's go!
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Ewingjr98 Oct 10, 2009 at 2:26 PM

Great photos!
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nickandchris Sep 9, 2009 at 9:13 AM

Must be marvellous having all this on your doorstep! Thanks for visiting Ardtoe and Arisaig.
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iandsmith Aug 28, 2009 at 10:25 AM

Here's another thing I didn't see in Rome. Thanks for sharing. How come you get so many people to view your pages yet I can't get anyone to look at Bamberg? Cheers.
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lynnehamman Aug 12, 2009 at 7:18 AM

How good to have Gianicolo Park so close. The view of Rome from the restuarant must be very romantic. Sigh!! Great pics, Carol
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BruceDunning Aug 1, 2009 at 11:42 AM

So while I was visiting more of your Italy, I found the suburb area we want to see when next in Rome along with Hadrian's villa, Frascati, and Tivoli. Good pictures of the area
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jo104 Jun 11, 2009 at 5:56 AM

Just had another glance at this lovely page