Parco dei Mellini

Among the numerous, and most popular, parks of Rome, Parco dei Mellini surely deserves a special mention. Not only because it is the seat of the Astronomical Observatory and Copernican Museum,

but also because it is a natural reserve particularly beautiful. 
The easiest entrance to the park is located where Via Trionfale intersects the so-called Panoramica. On the right hand side of the street, a road, surmounted by an ancient arch, leads both to
the park and to the Belvedere. From this point, the top of Monte Mario, visitors enjoy an amazing view of modern Rome, that reaches Colli Albani and embraces a great part of the eternal city. Furthermore, those who want to take a rest can sit outside a small restaurant, serving beverages at any time of the day.

While many tourists visit the Belvedere, it's quite unusual to meet them in the park. The majority of its visitors are local residents, mostly taking their dogs out for a walk ( by the way, you must not be afraid of dogs, since none of them is led on a leash).

If you follow the path, made of gravel of ancient origins, you reach Villa Mazzanti, where the head office of Romanatura is located. On Sunday mornings, I love to sit on the benches in its garden, and peacefully read my newspapers. 

I often continue my walk all the way down till Via Gomenizza, before coming back climbing up all the 250 steps (!), made of stone. While the lowest area is characterized by a typically Mediterranean vegetation (Holm oak, Cork oak, and Cistus), at higher altitudes can be found submountain species, such as Hornbeam, Lime tree, Maple, Manna ash, Hazelnut trees, Privet bush, and Cornel tree. 

Actually the number of amazing spots, where to take a quick rest while walking in this beautiful area, is so wide, that it's quite difficult to elect a favorite one!

But if you ever visit the park, let me know then, which is the one you love above all!