Rome - Pincio Gardens

The Pincio Gardens, lying above the Piazza del Popolo below the grounds of the Villa Medici, were laid out at the beginning of the 19th century by the architect Giuseppe Valadier, in an area occupied by gardens belonging to old Roman families, including the Pinci after whom they are named. The paths in the gardens are lined with busts of Italian patriots. The views from the terraces, looking down on the Piazza del Popolo and across the whole of central Rome to St Peter's, are among the finest in the city, particularly at sunset.