Aventine Keyhole

A keyhole perfectly framing St. Peter's dome in a secret-society garden

Address Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, 00153 Rome
Admission Free
Opening Hours Always accessible (exterior only)

On the Aventine Hill, a wrought-iron keyhole in the gate of the Knights of Malta priory frames a perfectly aligned view of St. Peter's dome at the end of a long garden avenue. The effect is precise and strange: the dome appears to hover exactly centred in the hole, the trees forming a natural tunnel toward it. Locals and visitors queue patiently for their turn to look.

The Aventine Hill itself is one of Rome's quietest hilltops, with the beautiful garden of Sant'Alessio and the orange garden (Giardino degli Aranci) nearby — both offering excellent views over the Tiber and Trastevere. The keyhole is five minutes' walk from the Circus Maximus.

things to do sight aventino
A story
The hole through which you look belongs to the gate of the Priory of the Knights of Malta, a sovereign entity independent of both Italy and Vatican City. As you peer through, you are technically looking through three different sovereign territories — Italy, the Knights of Malta enclave, and then Vatican City — all aligned in a perfect vista down the avenue of the garden.