Tiber Island is the only island in Rome found in the middle of the Tiber River. Legend has it that Tiber Island was formed when Romans threw the banished King Tarquin's wheat sheaves into the river. Dirt built up around the wheat, eventually forming an island. Tiber Island is 885 feet in length and 220 feet wide at its widest point. It is connected to the rest of the city by two bridges, the Ponte Fabricio and the Ponte Cestio.
Lying on the Tyrrhenian Sea, Ostia Lido is called the Roman Riviera. It is just a 20-minute train ride from the center of Rome. In antiquity, this was an important seaport. Today it is filled with nightlife, beaches with dark sand and hordes of Romans trying to get away from the city. Nearby is the Mediterranean Habitat Center where visitors can do some bird watching.
The villa was originally built for the nephew of Pope Paul V, Cardinal Scipione Borghese. Today the villa contains an art gallery and here within its grounds is one of the largest gardens in Rome. There are a number of delightful places found here, such as the Secret Gardens, the Valley of Plain Trees and the Gardens of Muro Torto. There is also a zoo.
Janiculum Hill was not one of ancient Rome's original seven hills. Nevertheless, it had some importance in antiquity as it is named for the god Janus. It is from Janus' son, Tiberius, that the Tiber River got its name. It was on Janiculum Hill that Giuseppe Garibaldi fought against French troops in the mid-19th century during the struggle to unify Italy. Janiculum Hill is with its shaded avenues, a great place for tourists to take walks. It also boasts some of the best views of the city.
Lying 20 miles from the center of Rome is Lake Bracciano, the second largest lake in the Lazio region. Formed by a volcano, it has an area of 22 square miles and a maximum depth of 541. It is a beautiful place surrounded by olive groves and forest that attracts visitors from all over the region. It is also the source of the Vatican City's drinking water.
