Rome is a city famously built around seven hills—and on one of those, you’ll find Parco del Colle Oppio (the name means Oppian Hill Park in English). Nero chose this site to build part of his huge palace with landscaped gardens, Domus Aurea, and visitors can still tour the ruins of the palace nearby. The baths of Trajan were also located here. When the park was developed in the 1920s it was lined with statues and boasted a rose garden. Nowadays there’s not as much to see or do here.
Parco del Colle Oppio is located in the center of Rome, just behind the Colosseum. It’s within walking distance to both the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Hop-on hop-off tour buses stop nearby, and the closest metro station is Colosseo, on Line B.
A public place, Parco del Colle Oppio is open all year round. It is best enjoyed in the daytime—the area can be less safe for visitors after dark.
Just next to the Roman Forum, and a short walk from Parco del Colle Oppio, is the church of Santa Francesca Romana. With grand marble interiors and decorated ceilings, the church has plenty to enjoy, but the real highlight is the 6th-century painting Vergine col Bambino (virgin with child), one of the oldest Christian artworks in existence anywhere in the world.
