Villa Borghese

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Map

Temple of Aesculapius, Giardino del Lago

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Villa Borghese is one of the largest parks (c. 200 acres) in Rome. Once the property of the Borghese family, it was acquired by the state in 1901 and ceded to the city two years later, when it became a public park.

Bas-relief, Temple of Aesculapius

​One of the most popular corners of Villa Borghese is the Giardino del Lago (Garden of the Lake), which was created by the Roman architect Antonio Asprucci (1723-1808) at the end of the 18th century. In the centre of the lake is the Temple of Aesculapius, an imitation of an ancient temple, which was built between 1785 and 1792 by Asprucci and his son Mario, with help from Cristoforo Unterperger (1732-98). Unterperger also designed the delightful Fountain of the Seahorses, which is also in Villa Borghese.  

​The temple houses an antique statue of Aesculpaius, the Greek god of medicine and healing, which was found in the ruins of the Mausoleum of Augustus. An ancient temple to Aesculpius once stood on the Isola Tiberina (Tiber Island) and the bas-relief in the pediment depicts the arrival by boat of a snake sacred to the God. The Greek inscription proclaims: Aesculapius the Saviour. 

An Entrance to Villa Borghese

​Villa Borghese is home to the world-famous Galleria Borghese.

Fountain of the Sea Horses (Fontana dei Cavalli Marini)

Villa Borghese is also home to numerous fountains, including the 18th century Fountain of the Sea Horses.

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