Rome Rose Garden
In its own language: Il Roseto
A public rose garden on Rome’s Aventine Hill with over 1,100 rose varieties
The Rome Rose Garden is a public park in Rome, Italy, displaying more than 1,100 types of roses from around the world. Set on the Aventine Hill opposite the Circus Maximus, it features themed sections, an experimental area for new varieties, and paths shaped to recall the site’s history.
- Over 1,100 rose varieties from many countries
- Paths form a Menorah to honor the site’s Jewish history
- Experimental section tests new rose varieties
- Located on the Aventine Hill opposite the Circus Maximus
- Founded in 1931 with an initial 300 roses
What is Rome Rose Garden?
The Rome Rose Garden is a 10,000 square meter public garden filled with over 1,100 rose varieties. Visitors walk among beds of roses from many countries, arranged in themed sections. The garden includes pergolas, pillars with climbing roses, and hedges of rose bushes. Paths wind through the garden, forming the shape of a Menorah, in memory of the site’s earlier use as a Jewish cemetery. There is also an experimental area where new rose types are tested.
The history of Rome Rose Garden
The garden opened in 1931, designed by countess Mary Gayley Senni with an initial collection of 300 roses. It was created on land that had served as Rome’s Jewish cemetery from 1645 to 1934. After the cemetery moved to Campo Verano, the rose garden was established, and its paths were laid out to resemble a Menorah, honoring the site’s past. Over time, the collection expanded with gifts of roses from many countries.
What there is to see
The garden is planted with roses grouped by type and origin, including early bred roses, modern hybrids, climbers, and miniature varieties. Some sections show roses climbing structures or forming hedges, while others display shrubs or roses with decorative fruit. The experimental section is used to test new varieties for suitability in Italian gardens. The garden is maintained as a public space for visitors to enjoy.
When to go
The Rome Rose Garden is open to the public, especially popular in spring and summer when the roses are in bloom. It serves as a display of rose diversity and as a testing ground for new rose varieties. The garden’s design and plantings also commemorate the history of the site as a former Jewish cemetery, making it a place of both beauty and remembrance.
Parts and collections
The garden includes many groups of roses: early bred varieties, modern hybrids, miniature roses, shrub roses, and climbing roses. Some sections feature roses trained on pergolas and pillars, while others highlight rambling or standard roses and those with decorative fruit. The experimental area introduces new cultivars each year.
Why Rome Rose Garden matters
The garden’s Menorah-shaped paths recall its history as a Jewish cemetery. Roses from around the world reflect international friendship, as many were donated by other countries. The garden is a living record of rose breeding and a symbol of remembrance for the Jewish community of Rome.
The flowers of Rome Rose Garden
Questions people ask about Rome Rose Garden
Where is the Rome Rose Garden located?
The Rome Rose Garden is on the Aventine Hill in Rome, Italy, directly opposite the Circus Maximus.
What kinds of roses can visitors see there?
Visitors can see over 1,100 types of roses, including early bred varieties, modern hybrids, climbers, miniatures, and shrub roses.
When is the best time to visit the garden?
The garden is best visited in spring and summer, when most of the roses are in full bloom.
What is special about the garden’s layout?
The paths are arranged in the shape of a Menorah, commemorating the site’s former use as a Jewish cemetery.
Does the garden have any historical significance?
Yes, the garden was built on the site of Rome’s Jewish cemetery and honors that history through its design.
Good reading and sources
- Rome Rose Garden on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Rome Rose Garden", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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