Anyone who thinks they know Rome will be surprised to discover that behind the famous Fontana dell’Acqua Paola on the Gianicolo there exists a secret garden that becomes freely accessible to the public only for a few weeks; the entrance is at 30 Via Garibaldi and until September 29, on certain special dates at sunset you will be able to enter and enjoy a striking view.
The reopening of the Fontanone garden
The Gardens of the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola represent a small surviving portion of a much larger green area that once existed. Today access is gained via a short staircase on Via Garibaldi, at number 30, not far from the large basin of the Fontanone. The initiative is part of the program “Events at Fontana 2026”, which during September animates the space with cultural events and performances.
How to visit it
For those who wish to visit only the garden, the free window to remember is this: Monday to Friday, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, until Tuesday, September 29, 2026. During this period you can enter and explore the site autonomously, before the start of the evening events, some of which may offer different access arrangements or require a ticket.
The advice is to arrive a few minutes early, especially on sunny days when the Gianicolo draws many visitors at sunset. The area is easily reached from Trastevere by heading up toward Via Garibaldi, while from the historic center you can cross the Tiber at Ponte Sisto and continue on foot toward the hill. The route is uphill, but it rewards you with panoramic views even before you arrive.
What to see in the secret garden behind the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola
The garden’s standout feature is one thing above all: from here the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola can be seen from the rear. An unusual perspective, distant from the best-known image of the Fontanone that dominates Via Garibaldi. Behind the monumental façade that everyone knows we can be astonished as we observe the arches and the architectural details that are usually hidden, and at that moment let our gaze widen.
There are the rooftops of the historic center, the domes, city viewpoints, and, lower down, the Tiber. A vantage point that completely changes the perception of the Baroque complex and that also lends itself well to photography.
Inside the garden there are also columns, capitals and other stone fragments but among the more curious elements there is a small nymphaeum dating to the late seventeenth century, decorated with symbols linked to the Borghese family (eagles and dragons).
The bond with the Fontanone, after all, is direct. The Fontana dell’Acqua Paola was built in the early seventeenth century by Pope Paul V Borghese, as the terminal portion of the aqueduct brought back into operation to supply water to the western part of the city, from the Vatican to Borgo up to Trastevere.
Visiting this secret garden is a way to discover Rome’s most hidden neighborhoods, going beyond the panoramic views typical of the Gianicolo. The very limited opening time makes the experience even more intriguing: those who find themselves in the Eternal City in September have only a few days to take advantage of it, for free and at the most evocative hour of the day.
