Sovereign Order of Malta: Villa Del Priorato di Malta
The second site of the Order of Malta in Rome is the Villa del Priorato di Malta or Magistral Villa. It sits high on the Aventine Hill above the Tiber River. The complex is gated by high walls and no access is allowed except on super-special tours that are almost impossible to organize (both my emails went unanswered). But hundreds of tourists flock to the main gate of the Villa despite it being locked for an incredible attraction – the Keyhole! The tiny keyhole in the main entrance gate, dating back hundreds of years looks directly onto the Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, which is beyond amazing!
