The secret keyhole in Rome

Rome is definitely a city filled with secrets and hidden gems, as well as the rest of Italy. You just need to know where to go.

One of the secret places is definitely the so-called keyhole. It's a strategic point that offers you an amazing view of Saint Peter's Basilica: you simply have to look through the keyhole and you will see the church in front of you.

Don't waste your time looking for the directions on ordinary guides, you won't be ble to find the "secret keyhole" attraction. It's "just" a keyhole, and you can enjoy some great views from any heyhole in the city! Look at this picture: it's another hole you can look through and take a wow shot:

In the know travelers, as well as most of the Roman citizens, know the keyhole locations, but they don't share that info so easily, since it's like a secret they want to keep, in order to let the others hunt it down. Of course you can Google them, but it won't be as funny as you could think.

For example, if you search for "secret keyhole in Rome", you will see that most of the results are related to the one up to the Aventine Hill (Colle dell'Aventino in Italian), because it's the most interesting one, according to the system. I totally disagree, but ok, let's stay focus on this hole that shows you the Basilica.

It's part of a building located in a simple square which looks like a parking lot. Standing near the large door there, sometimes there are some (real) Italian military guards. Don't be surprised if you don't find any street sign- hey! There should be a reason why it's called secret keyhole.



I've been there so many times, enjoying the walk with my local friends who always show me something new, something non touristy, and every time I am surprised to find out that the Italian capital, my capital, has definitely so much art and history to offer than just the Trevi fountain, the Colusseum and Vatican City.

If you have an extra day to explore Rome, wear comfortable shoes and get ready to climb the top of the Aventine Hill. Go for a walk, spring is in the air, enjoy the nice weather and explore the city.

First of all, reach the very famous Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità in Italian), the ancient marble disc with a relief carving of a man's face- it became very popular thanks to the Roman Holiday movie, starring one of my favorite actresses, Audrey Hepburn.

Take Via della Greca, which is located not far from the Circus Maximus, then take the Clivo dei Publici road, which is the first one to the right. As you can see, it takes you directly to the Aventine Hill.

Turn right, walk past Santa Sabina and go straight on, almost to the end of the road. You will see the headquarters of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta on the right. It s a white palace, with an ordinary gate.

That's probably why tourists, even if you reach the place, don't pay attention to it: it's nothing special. The door was used by the Knights of Malta (a group of people who belonged to the monastic order born during the Crusades), as a real gate to enter into the building.



Peer through the keyhole- or wait your turn while taking some pictures-and you will see Saint Peter's Basilica perfectly framed between two rows of trees. What a peek-a-boo view!

You should also think about how international is this simple act: you are basically looking through three countries, since you are standing on the independent territory of Malta, gazing across Italy, and looking at the church, located in Vatican City. How cool is that?

There is just one question you should(n't) ask yourself: are the church and the arch of trees aligned deliberately or not? Don't ask me too much: some secrets are better kept hidden... at least in this case.