Janiculum Hill

Known as the 8th hill and second tallest hill in Rome (after Monte Mario), the Janiculum Hill offers one of the best views of the Eternal City. It was not included in the proverbial 7 hills of Rome since it was outside the boundaries of the ancient city und thus remained until the epoch of the Emperor Aurelianus. According to the legend, the mythical king Numa Pompilius was buried here. Originally it was the center for the cult of god Janus and a good place for augurs to observe auspices, the hill was essential for the defense and control of old Rome and according to Roman mythology Janiculum is the name of an old town founded here by the god Janus. The hill remains famous for the battle between Garibaldi and the French troops (1849) fighting on behalf of the Pope Pius IX who wanted to restore the dominion of Papal States over Rome. After a long fighting Garibaldi had to surrender and the three men govern of Mazzini, Armellini and Saffi had to go into exile. On the central Piazza, that is on the highest point of the hill, a great monument to Garibaldi looks down to the eternal city. There is a centuries long tradition that at noon a cannon fires from the top of the hill to signal the exact time.

Gianicolo 4
by fabrizio dal passo

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