Aventine Keyhole & Orange Garden
Buco della Serratura / Giardino degli Aranci
Looking through the keyhole of the Knights of Malta's gate, you see the dome of St. Peter's framed at the end of a hedge-lined avenue. Nearby, the orange garden offers a romantic sunset view over the Tiber.
The Aventine Hill is the quietest and most exclusive residential area among the seven hills of Rome. The gate of the Priory of the Knights of Malta on Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta has a famous keyhole. Looking through it, you see a perfectly trimmed hedge-lined avenue framing the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in the distance. It spans the Order of Malta's territory, Italy and Vatican City all at once. The queue usually takes 10–30 minutes. A few minutes' walk away, the Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden) is planted with bitter orange trees. Its viewing terrace overlooks the Tiber and the rooftops of Trastevere, and it is especially romantic at sunset. The nearby church of Santa Sabina preserves its 5th-century wooden doors. Everything here is free. It is about a 15-minute uphill walk from the Circus Maximus.
Opening hours
Open all day (orchard from about 07:00 to sunset)
Nearby sights
- Mouth of Truth
- Tiber Island
- Pyramid of Cestius
- Circus Maximus
- Theatre of Marcellus
- Capitoline Museums
- Roman Forum / Palatine Hill
- Church of the Gesù