ROME ESCAPE THE CROWDS RUN – 6K
Runner on the ground - PATRIZIO
Escape the chaos of the city centre and run with me in Villa Pamphilj, one of the most unknown Rome gems. Running in a park and enjoying some architectural beauties and historical places will still be possible. This tour is also recommended for trail runners.
WHAT GOETHE SAID ABOUT VILLA PAMPHILJ
“Under a sunshine, if anything rather too warm, we proceeded to the Villa Pamphilj, whose beautiful gardens are much resorted to for amusement; and there we remained till evening. A large flat meadow, enclosed by long ever green oaks and lofty pines, was sown all over with daisies, which turned their heads to the sun.”. That’s how Johann Wolfgang Goethe described the Villa (1786) In his Italian Journey.
THE LOOP
Our tour starts and finishes in Largo 3 giugno 1849. It’s Villa Pamphilj’s main entrance, its square named after the day of the Siege of Rome ended with the toppling of the Roman Republic, a short lived constitutional government that was part of Risorgimento, the long road to the Unification of Italy.
WHAT YOU’LL SEE
A Seventeenth-century noble country residence, today Villa Doria Pamphilj is the largest park and one of the best-preserved villas in Rome. Its 184 hectares are the ideal setting to enjoy an all-round experience of running through nature, history, and art. After a brief uphill at the start of our tour, we’ll cross the majestic Arco dei Quattro Venti. Then, a shady downhill will bring us along the Trajan-Paul Aqueduct, on the northern border along Via Aurelia Antica. The architectural masterpiece of the Villa is the magnificent Baroque-style Casino del Bel Respiro, built starting from 1644. Outside is the enchanting Secret Garden, a true jewel of landscape architecture. From the top of the stairway along the Casino del Bel Respiro, we can also catch a far glimpse of St. Peter’s Dome.
A little further on is a small lake at the bottom of a canal, which brings us to a waterfall and two magnificent fountains, the Fontana della Cascata and the Fontana del Giglio. Before ending our tour, we’ll run through the 17th-century Giardino del Teatro, embellished with fountains and a nymphaeum.
Becky Hanley –
Patrizio was an amazing guide. He tailored the run to our level and was extremely friendly and knowledgable on Roman history! I would highly recommend this run + Patrizio!
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