Description:

Contributed by Antonio Viglietto:

Orto Botanico dell’Università di Roma “La Sapienza”.  This Japanese garden is a part of the Botanical Garden of the University of Rome “La Sapienza“.  The term “La Sapienza” in the university’s name translates to “Wisdom”.  The gardens were established in 1883 on the slopes the second tallest hill of Rome, succeeding the earlier Papal Botanical Gardens on the site dating from the Renaissance.  The current design by Ken Nakajima was completed in 1990.  The garden also contains a large bamboo collection.

Garden Features:

In the Botanic Garden of Rome, the Japanese garden is located in the upper site, on the slope of Gianicolo hill, quite far from the entrance.  The garden, designed by Ken Nakajima, is classical style, with modern intrusions, such as the use of concrete for foot-paths and the bridge.  Azaleas bushes cover the slope, leading to the top, where there are an open wooden pavilion and a pond adorned with rocks.  A waterfall feeds the lake and a stream, which drains the water, passes under a small bridge and rapidly goes down the hill.  The garden trees include several Japanese maples, cherry and ginko trees.  Also interesting in the Botanic Garden is the bamboo area, with several varieties of bamboos.