Rome.us
  • TAXI FARES CALCULATOR
  • BOOK PRIVATE TOUR
  • ABOUT US
  • TIPS
    • How to Choose a Hotel in Rome
    • Tickets to Vatican museums
    • Rome Three Day Itinerary
    • 2025 Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee
    • Rainy Days in Rome
    • Buying a Sim Card in Italy
    • Renting a Car in Rome
    • Apps for Tourists
    • Souvenirs from Rome
    • Free Things to Do
    • Unusual Things to do
    • Public Transport
    • Shopping
    • Instagram
    • ASK US
    • Pinterest
  • WHERE TO STAY
    • Hotels with Best Views
    • Hotels near Termini
    • Hotels near the Colloseum
    • Hotels near Navona Square
    • 3 Star Hotels
    • 4 Star Hotels
    • 5 Star Hotels
    • Apartments For Rent
    • Best Hostels
  • WHAT TO SEE
    • Colosseum
    • Pantheon
    • Borghese Gallery
    • Roman Forum
    • Trevi Fountain
    • Spanish Steps
    • Castel Sant’Angelo
    • Navona Square
    • Ancient Sites and Ruins
    • Caravaggio’s Paintings
    • Churches
    • Galleries and Museums
    • Parks and Gardens
    • Squares and Fountains
    • Hills
  • VATICAN CITY
    • St Peter’s Basilica
    • Sistine Chapel
    • Vatican Museums
    • Raphael’s Rooms
    • Michelangelo’s Pieta
    • St Peters Dome
    • St Peter’s Square
    • Vatican Gardens
    • Vatican Military
    • Swiss Guard
  • DAY TRIPS
    • To Tivoli
    • To Ostia Antica
    • Beaches near Rome
    • To Alberobello
  • WEATHER: WHAT TO WEAR?
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • HOW TO GET
    • Fiumicino Airport
    • Ciampino Airport
    • Termini Railway Station
    • To Venice
    • To Florence
    • To Ostia Antica
    • To Naples
    • To Milan
    • To Pisa
    • To Siena
  • WHERE TO EAT
    • Famous Roman Dishes
    • Best Pizza Places
    • Best Pasta Places
    • Local Italian Food
    • Best Gelato Places
    • Best Rooftop Bars
  • NEIGHBORHOODS
    • Campo Marzio
    • Jewish Ghetto Quarters
    • Quartiere Coppedè
    • Monti
    • Sant’Eustachio
    • Trastevere
    • Trevi
  • EMPERORS
    • Marcus Aurelius
    • Gaius Julius Caesar
    • Nero
    • Octavian Augustus
    • Caligula
    • Hadrian
    • Vespasian
    • Commodus
    • Trajan
Home / Hills of Rome /

Monte Mario

Written by: Kate Zusmann

Monte Mario hill

Monte Mario is the highest (139 m) hill in Rome. If previous articles talked about the smallest of the seven Roman hills – Viminal, this article is about to uncover another hidden jam – Monte Mario. Although not in the top seven Roman hills list, Monte Mario is a perfect place to escape sometimes overcrowded touristic spots and take a fresh look on the ancient city of Rome.

Contents

Toggle
  • History
    • Modernity
  • Observatory
  • Natural Reserve
  • Churches of Monte Mario
    • Santa Croce a Monte Mario
    • San Lazzaro dei Lebbrosi
    • Santa Maria del Rosario
  • How to get
  • Nearby Attractions

History

There are several stories about the origins of the hill’s name. Some sources state that it was named after cardinal Mario Mellini, who was the owner of a villa on the hill and surrounding suburbs.

However, the others believe that the name of the hill derives from its middle ages name – Monte Malo (Bad Mountain). This is due to the violent murder of patrician Giovanni Crescenzio in 998 that happened in the woods of Monte Mario. In ancient times, Monte Mario was usually passed through by the glorious Roman armies and pilgrims before entering the walls of Eternal City. Soon after, Monte Mario became a residential district, where rich people built their villas.

Modernity

Today, Monte Mario, with the height of 139 m, is considered to be the best place for those who like hiking or just want to obtain a unique travel experience in Rome. Located within the walking distance from Vatican City, Monte Mario is a perfect destination for tourists who want to bring a breath of fresh air to their travel experience.

Observatory

monte mario observatory

Monte Mario Observatory is considered to be a part of Rome Observatory, one of the twelve observatories in Italy. All the maps of Italy issued before 1960s used the location of this observatory, (12°27’8.4″E), as a prime meridian instead of using the usual Greenwich coordinates. The Astronomic Observatory was constructed in XV century and is considered to be the highest point of Rome. Although, you are not able to see the real stars from up there, tourists are highly suggested to visit the Copernicus museum. The museum holds a rich collection of ancient astronomical instruments and meteorological tools from all over the world. Unfortunately, currently the museum is undergoing a restoration process.

  • Address: Gomenizza 81 | Via del Parco Mellini, 84, 00136
  • How to get: You can get here by bus 913 and exit at stop called Medaglie d’Oro/ Tito livio. From there take a 10 min. walk, following the signs of Zodiac coffee.

Natural Reserve

Natural Reserve of Monte Mario

Being one of the most beautiful parks of Rome, Natural Reserve of Monte Mario (Riserva Naturale di Monte Mario) takes up 238 ha of the Monte Mario hill’s territory. The flora and fauna of the park comprise of unique trees, such as cork-trees, maples and hazels and animals and birds, such as peregrine falcon and dormouse. The park is open from rise to dawn and has multiple entrances.

  • Address: Via Gomenizza, 81
  • Entrances: Viale dei Casali Mellini
    Viale del Parco della Vittoria
    Via della Camilluccia
    Via E. De Amicis
    Via dei Casali di S. Spirito
    Via dei Colli della Farnesina
    Via Gomenizza

Churches of Monte Mario

There are more than 900 churches in Rome, where several beautiful churches can be found on the territory of the hill.

Santa Croce a Monte Mario

The church was built in 14th century and is believed to be the first stop point of pilgrims coming to St. Peters. Unfortunately, the church was destroyed in 19th century as a result of construction of the military fortification. Therefore, today tourists can only see the remains of Santa Croce a Monte Mario.

  • Address: Via Trionfale 181

San Lazzaro dei Lebbrosi

Church of San Lazzaro dei Lebbrosi

This construction of this church dates back to 12th century. In comparison, to Santa Croce a Monte Mario, Church of San Lazzaro dei Lebbrosi was the last point of pilgrims leaving Rome.

  • Address: Borgo S. Lazzaro, 17, 00136

Santa Maria del Rosario

santa maria del rosario monte mario

Named after the secretary of cardinal Andrea Peretti, this church was constructed in 14th century with the aim of providing cure to people affected by malaria. The name of the secretary – G.V. Rossi.

  • Address: Via Alberto Cadlolo, 51, 00136

How to get

If you booked your accommodation in the Vatican area, you can get to Monte Mario hill by walk, the distance is 1 km. Otherwise, you can take a metro A line train and exit on Cipro or Lepanto stops. From there you can wether take a taxi a or bus that will bring you to the base of Monte Mario.

Nearby Attractions

Olympic Stadium
23 min 3810 ft 1.2 km
Vatican Museums
38 min 1.19 mi 1.9 km
Vatican Gardens
45 min 1.39 mi 2.2 km
Raphael's Rooms
45 min 1.4 mi 2.3 km
Sistine Chapel
46 min 1.43 mi 2.3 km
Michelangelo's Pieta
47 min 1.47 mi 2.4 km
St Peter's Basilica
48 min 1.48 mi 2.4 km
Santa Maria del Popolo
48 min 1.48 mi 2.4 km
St Peter's Square
48 min 1.49 mi 2.4 km
Piazza del Popolo
48 min 1.5 mi 2.4 km

Author: Kate Zusmann

Kate Zusmann

I have lived in the Eternal City for the past 12 years. They say every angle of Rome has its history, and I'm here to tell you about the most intriguing historical facts and city legends. :)

Dive Deeper into Rome's Stories

Fiumicino Airport Terminal 3

21786 views

How to Get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome City Center

The Borghese Gallery and Museum The Ultimate Guide for Visitors

14377 views

The Borghese Gallery and Museum

The Colosseum

108473 views

Colosseum

Visiting Pantheon in Rome

33622 views

Pantheon

Roman Forum in Rome Italy

25129 views

Roman Forum – Ultimate Guide for Antic History Lovers

What to See in Rome

24938 views

What to See in Rome – TOP 30 Tourist Attractions & Places

Hotels with best views in Rome

7418 views

Hotels with Best Views in Rome

Hotel Near The Colosseum in Rome

17076 views

Hotels Close to the Colosseum in Rome

27118 views

Best 4 Star Hotels in Rome

Show more

About us

About us ROME.US Authors Kate Zusmann and Artur Jakucewicz
2025.We're Kate and Artur, a duo bound by our shared fascination with the Eternal City – Rome. Our paths, driven by a mutual passion for its timeless stories and architectural marvels, converged in a way we had never imagined.

Explore Rome

  • hotels close to the Pantheon in Rome

    Best Hotels near the Pantheon in Rome

  • Nerva - Roman Emperors

    Emperor Nerva

  • hop-on hop-off tour bus in Rome

    Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Buses in Rome

  • The Fountain of Neptune

    The Fountain of Neptune

  • Who Painted Sistine Chapel?

    Who Painted Sistine Chapel?

Rome.us
  • social logo
  • social logo
  • social logo
  • social logo

This website uses cookies. For more info read the cookies policy

Rome.us © 2025. Created with love by Roman experts and guides.