The Janiculum Hill (Gianicolo in italian) is one of the most beautiful panoramic points of the city and a surprising place: from the wonderful Tempietto del Bramante to the monuments to Giuseppe and Anita Garibaldi; from the amazing Fontanone dell’Acqua Paola to the cannon that shoots at noon.
It is interesting to note that Rome’s highest and most scenic hill does not officially feature among the proverbial seven.
Being the site of one of Italy’s most decisive battles for independence(1848 AD), the Janiculum Hill has unparalleled views of Rome.
According to the 18th century diarist De Brosses, a French admirer of all things Italian, it was sufficient in itself to justify a visit to Italy.
You can see many of the major Rome’s monuments in one eyeful.
Seen from the Janiculum, Rome displays the iridescent colors of her incredible plumage like a peacock: a living postcard, all the roofs, the domes, all the bell towers and the sights are sharply defined in the clear sky, with the profile of the Roman Castle hills in the background.
At noon the cannon blast shatters quiet to commemorate the battles of independence and the hundred bells of churches echo through the sky.
A marble light house realized in 1911 by the architect Manfredo Manfredi, donated by the Italian emigrants of Argentina(1911AD) and flashing the three colors of the Italian flag, rises next to an alternative Gianicolo view point, a stone’s throw from Mrs Garibaldi (1848-1870 AD) monument.
Standing here one can take in most of Trastevere in all its sepia and ochre glory and beyond.In the days before mobile phone, the wives of the convicts confined within Regina Coeli prison (visible from this part of the hill)would shout messages to their spouses below.
