Open Courtyards, Rome

John and I took a little tour of the Open Courtyards of Rome last week. The weekend-long event allows the public to enter palatial courtyards that are usually closed.

 We began with the elegant courtyard of Palazzo Della Valle

 and were allowed to climb the stairs to its gorgeously decorated reception room

 with its huge fireplace

and enjoyed the view down into the courtyard. 

 

 As we left the palace we could see that our tour was going to be fun!

The courtyard of the next palace, the Palazzo Pasolini Dall'Onda, was small but featured an incredible Baroque fountain that dwarfed both me and the space.

 It also held a group of caged stones that were probably for restoration of their pavements but made us think of the installations of contemporary artists.

Our next stop was the Palazzo del Gallo in the Piazza Farnese.

Again we were allowed to climb the wonderful staircase that dominates the courtyard.

 I loved this terrace that became apparent as we climbed. Wouldn't this be a dreamy airbnb sanctuary!

 Last but not least of our courtyard visits was to the Palazzo Capponi Antonelli. This elegant courtyard leads to a gorgeous, hidden garden.

 The building seen from the garden looks like the set to a wonderful ghost story.

As one climbs the stairs visitors are treated 

 to a view of the lush planting below. 

 We imagined a legend of a mysterious woman who would occasionally appear in the garden below.

What a treat to be able to visit some of the beautiful spots that are usually hidden. We took the magic of their beauty back into the wet streets of Rome.