Priorato dei Cavalieri di Malta
Priorato dei Cavalieri di Malta
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Priorato dei Cavalieri di Malta and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Aventine
Contrary to the chaos of the city, the Aventine is Rome’s oasis. A neighbourhood made up of a patchwork of ancient churches, hidden gardens, private homes and embassies, peace and quiet is top priority and the vibe definitely friends and family. Take a walk around the Aventine and you’ll find a treasure hunt of surprises like the clever little keyhole at the Knights of Malta entrance (the only place you’ll find a line) along with Parco Savello (Giardino degli Aranci) next to the ancient Santa Sabina church. Keep your eyes on the 1960s architecture, several modern buildings are built atop Rome’s original 4th century BC wall.
How to get there
- Circo Massimo • 10 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
7,653 within 5 kms
Attractions
2,497 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
691 reviews
Excellent
428
Very good
181
Average
58
Poor
10
Terrible
14
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
A&A
Rome, Italy7,461 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
The Villa of the Priory of Malta or Villa Magistrale is a complex of buildings with a garden located in Rome, on the Aventine Hill. It is the historical seat of the Grand Priory of Rome of the Knights of Malta, today the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. It is the institutional seat of the Order and of the Grand Prior of Rome. It hosts the embassy to the Italian State of the Order, and has enjoyed the right of extraterritoriality since 1869. Famous above all for having a hole on the entrance door from which it is possible to see the ciupole of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GrazzyCosta
Sao Paulo, Brazil264 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
I'm not sure it is a must-see if your time is limited, since it is a bit out of the way. We spent 7 days in Rome so time wasn't an issue for us, and we could afford just strolling around / checking these sites. It puzzles me to see so many people saying not many people know about this place or it is difficult to find: we learned about it in a simple travel guide and finding it just took us a bit of walking and following signs (it is located on the hill beside Circo Massimo the site). We came here straight from the Baths of Caracalla, so the closest subway station is Circo Massimo. We went up Aventino and instinctively followed the signs. It seems to be a residential area; we couldn't see any restaurants/ other businesses around. After looking through the keyhole, we decided to sit on a bench across the street. It was fun to watch people coming and going, reaching the site by segways, bicycles, vans, private cars, on foot... A very curious experience as a whole, indeed.
Written 16 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stuart S
Suffolk, UK268 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
We visited early in morning (around 10.45am) on one of our first stops on our cycle tour. We'd cycled up the Aventine Hill and the guide stopped next to 2 huge green doors. There were no queues at all and we spent as long as we wanted to view through the keyhole to see the distant view of St.Peter's Basilica through a long line of cypress trees. Beautiful. We then walked around the large garden to the right which had stunning views across the city. It was a lovely large space with trees and seats for a rest in the shade. Probably even better because we were there in a quiet period too.
Written 14 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
xara
Zagreb, Croatia47 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
I get it why this place is so popular, the 3 countries, the cool view from the keyhole, a bit different... However, there is always a huge line, and for this view, I just feel like it isn't worth it. Not sure if it should be a must see in Rome, there are plenty of other more beautiful places.
Written 23 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
redhead_roaming
Seattle, WA2,860 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Magistral Villa is one of the two institutional seats of the government of Malta. While I'm not sure if you can see/view the actual building, everyone comes here for the view: the keyhole view!
To get to the keyhole, you must climb Aventine Hill and walk to the southern end. The green arched door is in a courtyard of sorts. There is a street vendor permanantly parked out here so you are never far away from getting some food or drinks.
When we arrived, the line wasn't terribly long - maybe 15 people - but it still took a while to get to the front (since everyone was trying to get a good view themselves, along with a good picture). By the time we were done, there were a good 30 people in line so it definitely got longer!
To take the picture I did, I had an iPhone X which worked out pretty well with a couple alterations (not sure what, I just kept taking pictures). My husband's phone, an iPhone 7s, couldn't seem to capture a good picture but we also may not have been doing it right.
To get to the keyhole, you must climb Aventine Hill and walk to the southern end. The green arched door is in a courtyard of sorts. There is a street vendor permanantly parked out here so you are never far away from getting some food or drinks.
When we arrived, the line wasn't terribly long - maybe 15 people - but it still took a while to get to the front (since everyone was trying to get a good view themselves, along with a good picture). By the time we were done, there were a good 30 people in line so it definitely got longer!
To take the picture I did, I had an iPhone X which worked out pretty well with a couple alterations (not sure what, I just kept taking pictures). My husband's phone, an iPhone 7s, couldn't seem to capture a good picture but we also may not have been doing it right.
Written 10 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IanWithington
London, UK278 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
Free to do
Can see the Basilica through the keyhole
Something a bit different to do and next door there is a garden area with great views of Rome.
Can see the Basilica through the keyhole
Something a bit different to do and next door there is a garden area with great views of Rome.
Written 10 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SueClaypole38
Rampton, UK214 contributions
Mar 2019
The Malteese embassy key hole offers a view of three countries in one line of sight. The embassy of Malta, Rome and Vatican City. It was made so the the eye line allows you to look directly at St Peters basilica.
Visit this early in the day as it can command long queues, especially in the summer season. It’s a bit of a walk up hill to get there, we always visit as part of a tour with Bici Baci! Then you can stop off at the old monastery garden which s now a public area with wild oranges growing, it’s got great views of the city!
Visit this early in the day as it can command long queues, especially in the summer season. It’s a bit of a walk up hill to get there, we always visit as part of a tour with Bici Baci! Then you can stop off at the old monastery garden which s now a public area with wild oranges growing, it’s got great views of the city!
Written 4 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sewilka2016
Krakow, Poland88 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
Great view! You can connect visiting non-catholic Testaccio cemetry with this because it's next to it. Be aware of the fact that this door could be opened from the other side.
Written 13 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jollyrobert
Bridgend, UK950 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We were picked up by Paolo Buttarelli at our Hotel Crosti for our tranfer back to Rome airport for our later flight that morning. He had arrived 15 minutes before the pick up time, but we were ready to leave after a very good, weeks stay in the city, and he took us on an unofficial tour early on that Saturday morning, 12th May. He was clearly very proud of this magnificent capital, and asked us if we knew one of its secrets, the keyhole? After turning into the Aventine Hills, he drove along Via di Santa Sabrina to a small piazza. To one side stood the Villa del Priorato dei Cavalieri di Malta, the sovereign state given over to the Knights of St. John the Hospitaler. Time was pressing so we couldn't do the visit proper justice, save a peep through the famous keyhole and what a surprise. Located in the great, blue-painted metal doors to the grounds of the VIlla, the keyhole provides an exquisite view along a pathway, lined by cypress trees, to a distant St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. What a cool thing to do! then off to the rigours of Fuimicino and home.
Written 19 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sianyj073
Aylesbury, UK63 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
We headed here on the day we arrived, early in the evening. There was a small queue, which grew quickly behind us. Probably about a 20 minute wait, but well worth it. The view of St Peters Basilica is truly stunning. Difficult to get a good photo, but a memory to savour!
Written 19 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where do you see the keyhole view is there a sign
Written 7 February 2020
ChrisH2311
Brussels, Belgium
Hi,
How can I get permission to actually enter the gardens of the Priorato, so the gardens you see when looking through the keyhole?
I will be visiting during the weekend of October 6th and am extremely keen on getting access, any help would be much appreciated.
Best regards,
Chris
Written 10 September 2017
No visits to the garden are allowed. I would also have liked to visit. But go down the road Santa Sabina towards Circus Maximus. Just next to the Basicila di Santa Sabina is the Garden of Oranges. There is a panoramic view of Rome from there. Definitely worth a visit.
Written 22 September 2017
Quando è possibile visitarla? Quanto costa l'ingresso?
Written 10 March 2017
Si è possibile visitare la villa ma solo su prenotazione e con gruppi di minimo 10 persone
Written 11 March 2017
Quanto costa per chi fa scienze archeologiche?
Written 28 January 2017
devi navigare su internet e vedere le occasioni che si presentano. la visita è organizzata da privati, tramite diverse associazioni e organizzazioni. dipende dalle singole "occasioni" che trovi. Essendo tours organizzati da privati, "temo" che non ci siano sconti.
Written 29 January 2017
È aperta oggi la villa in occasione delle giornate del FAI
Written 19 March 2016
Per chi vuole godersi un panorama mozzafiato di Roma ci sarà la possibilità di visitare, come ultimo sito, la Villa del Priorato di Malta, a Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta. Sede storica del Gran priorato di Roma dei cavalieri di Malta, ospita oggi l’ambasciata presso lo Stato Italiano dell’Ordine. Il sito ha il suo centro ideale nella Chiesa di Santa Maria del Priorato interna al giardino, decorata con ricchissimi stucchi.
Per scoprire le 900 aperture nelle 380 località di tutte le regioni italiane e per conoscere i dettagli dell’evento potete consultare la pagina del sito giornatefai punto it
Written 20 March 2016
How far is this walking from piazza Navona? Please
Written 6 September 2015
Also unclear as to question.... It's probably MUCH too long a walk from Piazza Navona. It wouldn't be so far from Circo Massimo / Circus Maximus, though.
Maybe you should consult a map. ;) Did you know that Google Maps can estimate walking times for you? :)
Search: Piazza Navona on GoogleMaps. On the upper left hand corner, where "Piazza Navona" is written (in the search results), there is a "Directions" or "Get Directions" link below. Then just enter "Villa del Priorato dei Cavalieri di Malta", or "Santa Sabine" (for the nearby church). It will give driving (car icon), transit (bus icon) and walking (person icon) travel times and directions. ;)
Written 7 September 2015
Como hago para llegar desde el Panteon ? Hay algun medio de transporte publico?
Written 4 August 2015
Ciao vorrei sapere dove si può prenotare per fare la visita...
grazie mille e buona giornata
Written 15 July 2015
vedi visite guidate tramite agenzie o cooperative ... e NON direttamente i cavalieri di malta. cooperativa il SOGNO (come già suggerito) è una di quelle che organizza il tour. (ma ce ne sono anche altre ... naviga ... naviga)
Written 29 January 2017
Showing results 1-10 of 10
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing