Piazza Garibaldi

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Rome, Piazza Garibaldi offers a peaceful retreat for visitors and locals alike. With its stunning and picturesque scenery, this square is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to unwind and soak up the beauty of the Eternal City.

The square stands on the highest point of Gianicolo (Janiculum) and offers one of the best views over the city.

The equestrian monument to Garibaldi was built in 1895 by Emillio Gallori. The bronze statues on the pedestal show battle scenes against the French who attacked Rome in 1849.

The orientation of the statue was changed over time. Initially, Garibaldi looked in the direction of the Vatican. As if his watchful gaze would remind the popes to stay in the Vatican. After the signing of the Lateran Treaties, the statue was turned and now faces the city of Rome. It seems that the Vatican is no longer worthy of a glance, and therefore the horse’s rear end now looks towards St. Peter’s Basilica.

Every day, at 12:00 noon, 3 soldiers fire a cannon shot, which indicates noon to the Romans. This goes back to an old papal tradition. It dates back to the time of Pius IX, more precisely to December 1, 1847, when the firing of the cannon from Castel Sant’Angelo was introduced to “eliminate the disorder not infrequently caused by the different running of so many clocks in the capital” (as stated in the “Diario Romano” of November 30, 1847). With the firing began the ringing of the bells of the Roman churches. Since August 1, 1903, the cannon was fired from Monte Mario, and on January 24, 1904, at 12 noon, the first cannon shot was fired from the Gianicolo (Janiculum).