A Hermit, a Poet, and a Garden in Rome

Saint Onofrio cloister is a pleasant respite from the crowded tourist sites of Rome that holds interesting tidbits of Rome's history. Frescoes tell the story of an unusual hermit and each has the coat of arms of the sponsor who financed its creation. The monastery was the home of Renaissance poet Torquato Tasso who died the day before he was to receive the laurels. The frieze on his tomb is a showcase of important Romans in 1595 with his life-size statue above it. As with most monasteries, there's also a small garden.

Take a peek at the Saint Onofrio frescoes and Tasso's tomb in our Saint Onofrio picture gallery. You'll also see the only brass bell spared by Garibaldi when he sent all the others he could find to the smelter during the wars. It's now known as Tasso's bell.

If you enjoy finding secret gardens like this you can sign up for a tour with SecretGardensItaly next time you're in Rome. Two special tours this summer are Summer in the City and Secret Opera that includes a special performance of Rossini’s Opera, Cinderella, in a unique outdoor setting followed by dinner with the cast on August 2.

_{Photo of Sant' Onofrio Cloister © SecretGardensItaly}