This itinerary covers the northernmost stretch of the Aurelian Walls, extending for about 3 km. The route alternates between slopes and flat areas, within a complex urban setting rich in green spaces, 19th- and 20th-century architecture, and numerous historical landmarks.
Starting from the Tiber, the ancient walls once ran along the left bank before turning east to meet the Via Flaminia, the consular road where the gate of the same name—also known as Porta del Popolo—was located. No remains survive of the section along the river, but the gate, which remained one of the city’s main entrances for centuries for those arriving from the north, underwent restorations and alterations and is today one of the most admired points of access along the circuit.
Proceeding along Viale del Muro Torto, the route skirts the substructures of the Pincio designed by Giuseppe Valadier, reaching the spur in opus reticulatum of the Muro Torto, beyond which pedestrian accessibility is greatly reduced. Overlooking Villa Borghese, this section of the fortified walls encloses the gardens and the splendid Renaissance complex of Villa Medici, which can be visited by guided tour.
At Porta Pinciana, from which the ancient Salaria Vetus once departed, the itinerary continues over level ground. Here the Aurelian Walls appear in one of their best-preserved stretches, partly accessible despite the series of vehicle and pedestrian openings created during the urban expansion of the new capital from the late 19th century onwards. The area inside the Walls, once the site of the magnificent Villa Boncompagni Ludovisi, was transformed—following the 1883 Master Plan—into one of Rome’s most elegant and architecturally striking neighborhoods, profoundly reshaping the landscape and the character of the area.
Past the former Porta Salaria and turning southeast, the wall circuit continues toward Porta Pia. This section commemorates a crucial moment in the city’s history: its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy, marked by the monument at the site of the breach stormed by the bersaglieri in 1870.
Finally, the scenographic Porta Pia, realized on the inner side according to Michelangelo’s design, concludes in magnificent fashion this itinerary of history, art, and architecture along the Aurelian Walls in this quadrant of the city.