WE VISIT ROME’S “SECRET AMPHITHEATER” and imperial grounds, and the medieval garden now curated on the site. We include a visit to the world’s most famous reliques, in a 1930’s-built reliquary, and the first handwritten scores of the Gregorian chants in a private museum. A traditional Roman lunch follows. This tour is fully handicapped accessible.
Travelers to Rome flock to the Roman Colosseum, but did you know there were other amphitheaters in ancient Rome? One amphitheater that still partially survives is the Castrense Amphitheater, camouflaged into the Aurelian Wall. The amphitheater is part of an interesting monastic garden complex.
Emperor Septimius Severus, who ruled Rome between 193 and 221 A. D., built his residence in what is now the San Giovanni neighborhood, with a private theater-in-the-round -- of imperial proportions! Little is left of the imperial residence, but Rome's only other amphitheater (besides the Colosseum) still stands, with a few centuries of worthy additions to it.
The Castrense Amphitheater now seems flawlessly camouflaged into the Aurelian Wall. Its arches have been filled, its height reduced and it is only accessible through a monastic vegetable garden gate (and a secret church built in the walls --- but that is another story!). Once inside, the amphitheater is a marvel.
Meticulously restored as an orto medico, also called a Simple Garden under the guidance of famous Turinese architect Paolo Pejrone, this medieval monastic garden is intensely planted and is curated by the Cistercian monks who sell its harvest abundance on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings in front, during the growing seasons. Salads and herbs of every description are available throughout the year, but lucky (and early) shoppers can also buy passionfruit, pizzutella grapes, and citrus in season.
This garden renovation was underwritten by the Adopt a Garden campaign of the Association of the Friends of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. Hopefully, more of Rome's historic gardens will benefit from citizens' interest in preserving them. For availabilty, contact us here.
SECRET AMPHITHEATER
