Whenever we travel, we look at maps for green spaces that we can walk too. Far and away, the Borghese gardens was the largest green space near us, and actually it was meant to be the most expansive gardens in Rome.
Inside the galleries
There were no lines to get inside the Borghese gallery, so we bought a ticket and hopped inside. They do enforce checking bags and water bottles. I had a small crossbody, which they let inside, but I did have to leave my water bottle at their check in desk.
The gallery was retrofit into the old Borghese villa, complete with some original furniture and pieces from several famous artists.
Truthfully, I have never been a big fan of sculpture–it just hasn’t “moved” me as often as some other mediums have. But the Bernini’s Rape of Persephone stopped me in my tracks. Look at Hades’ hand on her leg–the force of impression it leaves in her skin. This sculpture was so true to life I had to stop back a second time to see it before they closed for the day. P.S. “Rape” in Bernini’s time probably meant “kidnapping.”
I always love a good mosaic and the ones in Borghese gallery did not disappoint. Some, like the one above, gave a sense of wonder to the villa–when it was a residence and party house, people would have walked all over these works of art, without a second thought.
Exploring the gardens
Leaving the villa, we sat on a curb outside to watch an impromptu congregation of dogs playing on a patch of grass.
We walked back along a tree-lined lane within the garden.
We enjoyed our time in the garden and decided to come back another day before we left. There was still a lot to be seen.
Love,
PD
making life an adventure 