Discover Hidden Gems in Rome Before the Masses: Unveil 5 Mysterious Spots Within the Colosseum
Discovering Rome's Hidden Gems: Exploring the Passetto di Borgo, Porta Alchemica, and Coppedè District
Rome, a city rich in history and culture, is home to numerous enigmatic landmarks that captivate the imagination of visitors. In this article, we delve into three such hidden gems: the Passetto di Borgo, the Porta Alchemica, and the Coppedè district.
The Passetto di Borgo, a fortified elevated and covered corridor, links the Vatican to Castel Sant'Angelo. Built in 1277, it served as a secure escape route for medieval popes during times of danger [1][3]. The passage offers a fascinating insight into the survival strategies of the popes in medieval times. Notably, Pope Alexander VI of the Borgia family used the Passetto to flee to Castel Sant'Angelo during the invasion of Rome by Charles VIII of France's forces in 1494 [1], and Pope Clement VII from the Medici family escaped through it when Rome was being sacked by the Landsknechts mercenaries in the Sack of Rome in 1527 [1][5].
Castel Sant'Angelo itself, originally built in 139 AD as Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum, was repurposed over centuries into a fortress and papal residence, making it a safe haven for popes under threat [2][4]. The connection via the Passetto allowed popes to swiftly and securely retreat from the vulnerable Vatican to a heavily fortified refuge.
Moving on to the Porta Alchemica, located in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II park, is one of the most enigmatic landmarks in Rome, known as the Magic Door [6]. It is the only remaining of a group of five alchemical doors that formed part of Villa Palombara in the 17th century. The Porta Alchemica is adorned with symbols and mysterious alchemical inscriptions that, according to legend, contain clues to the creation of the philosopher's stone [7].
Lastly, the Coppedè district, located in Rome, is a delightful blend of different architectural styles, from Art Nouveau to Gothic and Baroque. Built in the 1920s by architect Gino Coppedè, the district makes visitors feel as if they have stepped into a fairytale. Some of its focal features include the Frog Fountain [8].
While the Passetto di Borgo is rarely open to the public, it can be accessed on special occasions. The Porta Alchemica and the Coppedè district, however, are open for exploration, offering a unique opportunity to delve deeper into Rome's history and culture.
[1] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Passetto-di-Borgo [2] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Castel-Sant-Angelo [3] https://www.history.com/news/passetto-di-borgo-vatican-escape-route [4] https://www.ancient-origins.net/history/castel-sant-angelo-rome-006827 [5] https://www.history.com/news/sack-of-rome-1527 [6] https://www.romeartlover.it/the-magic-door-of-rome-porta-alchemica/ [7] https://www.romeartlover.it/the-magic-door-of-rome-porta-alchemica/ [8] https://www.romeartlover.it/coppede-rome/
- When planning a visit to Rome, consider exploring the Passetto di Borgo, a historical corridor concealing tales of medieval popes' survival strategies, and the Coppedè district, a whimsical blend of architectural styles that transports visitors into a fairytale setting, to enrich your home-and-garden and travel lifestyle with a hint of the city's enchanting history.
- For those with a keen interest in the magical and enigmatic, Rome's Porta Alchemica, a relic from the 17th-century Villa Palombara adorned with alchemical symbols, and the hidden gems discovered within the city's en-vols (hidden corridors and districts), offer unique opportunities to delve deeper into the lifestyle and culture of this captivating metropolis.
