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Just a little beyond the church of St Anselmo, at the intersection of Via Santa Sabina and Via di Porta Lavernale is the quiet Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, a small oasis bordered by a neoclassical wall decorated with obelisks and military trophies and leading to that famous 'door'. At a closer look, the traces of the numerous tourists who approach its lock that the Romans affectionately call "The hole of Rome" are clearly visible. It is a sort of little square, adorned with memorials of the knights of Malta. This small and very unusual Roman piazza without a statue or a fountain was designed in 1765 by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, mainly known for his etchings depicting monuments of ancient Rome, for Giovanni Battista Rezzonico, Grand Prior of the Italian branch of the Order of Malta and nephew of Pope Clement XIII. The elaborate decoration of the square is based on themes taken from the coats of arms of Rezzonico and of the Knights of Malta. All the decorations visible on the architecture are symbols rich in esoteric meanings, linked above all to Freemasonry, a code developed by Piranesi, which were meant to be understandable and clear only to those who owned the right reading key. Located on the top of the Aventine hill, and surrounded by a green setting of cypresses, the Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta is one of the most evocative squares of Rome, although less known and popular than other decidedly more touristy destinations. …
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Date of experience: June 2020
1 Helpful vote
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Everyone has secret preferences and places he loves in Rome, and one of this place is on the Aventine Hill, there is the Keyhole of the Knights of Malta, and here you can take a picture through the Keyhole of the Basilica of St Peter, a photo as if by magic
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Date of experience: April 2019
1 Helpful vote
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It took us a while to find this spot, once up on the hill, then had to wait in a long line for about an hour. It's kind of cool to see the view through the keyhole. It is a little difficult to get a good picture depending on your phone/camera, as the light and focus are tricky, but its definitely unique.…
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Date of experience: November 2019
1 Helpful vote
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Square is very nice, not big, around are churches and the palace of the Malta convent. There is a keyhole on the square that allows you to see directly the dome of the St. Peter's Basilica, but the queue to it is to long. Around 30 minutes waiting. Instead go to the gardens nearby with some wine and sit at the benches all wall from where you can see the Vatican City, St. Angel castle and other landmarks.…
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Date of experience: September 2019
2 Helpful votes
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I was told specifically to visit here but not too look it up beforehand so as not to give it away. But when I got to the top of the hill and heard my wife utter "it's literally a keyhole with people queuing to peer through" I laughed. And once you get there you can truly understand the thought and planning that took place to make this work so well. …
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Date of experience: September 2019
1 Helpful vote
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