From a naturalistic point of view, we invite you to visit the Vatican Gardens near Insideat’s food experiences, an elegant and fascinating place, cared for in every detail and full of rare and luxuriant plants.
The Vatican City is a treasure trove of wonders. Despite being a very small state, less than half a square kilometer, it holds priceless treasures of architecture (St. Peter’s Basilica and the Apostolic Palace), art (the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel) and nature.
What are the Vatican Gardens near Insideat’s food experiences
Ever since the Roman Christian community established the center of its worship on the Vatican Hill, in this area where the Vatican City stands today there has always been a fervent agricultural activity. In fact, around the first nucleus of the Apostolic Palace and the tomb of St. Peter there were vegetable gardens, meadows (pratellum), vineyards, orchards (pomerium), but also the first nucleus of a well-kept and lush garden (viridarium), to frame a place that had now become sacred. After the Middle Ages, Rome began to expand again and become increasingly rich and influential. It was decided to radically restructure the old Basilica of St. Peter and the square in front of it to amaze the world and definitively establish the primacy of Rome as the world capital of Christianity. In the sixteenth century, Pope Julius II decided to definitively redesign in Renaissance style the green area that arose around the Basilica and the Apostolic Palace. To achieve this goal, he decided to give the task of designing the gardens to one of the greatest architects of the time: Donato Bramante. This great Renaissance genius, an expert in landscape architecture, decided to divide the area into three courtyards: the Belvedere Courtyard, the Library and the Pigna Courtyard. But that’s not all, a rectangular labyrinth garden of evergreen trees was also created, surrounded by pines and Lebanese cedars. A high defensive wall was erected to protect this green area and the Apostolic Palace.
In the following centuries, and especially in the Baroque era, thanks to the patronage of the popes who succeeded one another on the throne of St. Peter, the Vatican Gardens were enriched with fountains, sculptures and artificial grottoes. Visit the Vatican Gardens (near Insideat’s food experiences)!
What you can see when visiting the Vatican Gardens
Today the Vatican Gardens still host many of the wonders designed and established in past centuries. You will find the Italian garden, the French garden and the English garden:
- the Italian-style garden is characterized by a very geometric style, according to Renaissance canons;
- the French-style garden is inspired by classical art and is very influenced by the Baroque style, with statues and water features;
- the English-style garden takes up some geometric styles, like the Italian one, but is also strongly inspired by wild nature, intercontinental travel and exploration with caves, streams, pagodas, pergolas, temples and ruins.
In addition to the naturalistic part, by accessing the guided tour of the Vatican Gardens, it will also be possible to visit the monument to Pope John Paul II, the Vatican Radio building and the splendid Vatican State Railway Station. You can also visit the Giardino Quadrato, the Casina Pio IV, the Fontana dell’Aquilone and the Grotto of Lourdes.
A food and wine experience to combine with a visit to the Vatican Gardens
If you plan to visit the Vatican Gardens, we recommend you combine it with a tasty food and wine experience. Not far from the Vatican Gardens and the Vatican Museums, Insideat organizes fun cooking classes focused on real Italian cuisine. Together with our chefs, you can learn to make Neapolitan pizza in an hour, using a professional wood-fired oven. Or you can learn to make fresh Italian pasta in an hour and sample it with typical toppings.
If you have more time available, you can also book our Pasta, ravioli and tiramisu class, during which you can learn to make fettuccine, stuffed pasta and real Italian tiramisu. We can also offer you a cooking class with only fettuccine and tiramisu and also a fantastic experience in which you can learn to make fettuccine and artisanal Italian gelato.
If you prefer to treat yourself to a delicious and relaxing typical Roman dinner, we offer you the best one ever, held at the Ristorante Pizzeria Pummaré. During this culinary experience you will be able to taste the three typical first courses of Rome: carbonara, amatriciana and cacio e pepe. In addition to the first courses, you will also taste a supplì (fried rice balls filled with fiordilatte mozzarella), a Neapolitan panzerotto and a coffee or limoncello.
That’s not all! A stone’s throw from the Vatican there is also our tour dedicated to the novel Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. If instead you are interested in food tours of Rome’s center focused on eating and drinking well, from Trastevere to Testaccio, or in the central squares such as Piazza Navona or Campo de’ Fiori, we suggest our food tour catalog.
How to book a visit to the Vatican Gardens
For official visits to the Vatican Gardens, reservations are required to access exclusively in the company of an official accredited guide. In addition to the visit with a guide, you can also choose the itinerary on board an open-top bus and with the support of an audio guide.
The opening hours, booking methods, calendar and availability for visits can be found on the official website.
