The Story Behind Rome's Aventine Keyhole

The keyhole of the Knights of Malta is one of the city’s more intriguing off-the-beaten-path sights. With its uninviting door and perfectly framed view of Saint Peter’s Basilica, it has become a favorite stop for travelers looking for alternative attractions in the city. It is common to see visitors queue up in front of the impenetrable door to take a peek, and many try to capture it with their camera — however, the view is one that can be truly experienced only in person.

The keyhole is part of the property owned by the Priory of the Knights of Malta, a Roman Catholic religious order of crusader knights that originated in Jerusalem in the 11th century. It is the oldest surviving chivalric order in the world and is a sovereign entity under international law. The estate also hosts the embassy of the Order of Malta to Italy.

An amazing view of St. Peter’s Dome through the Knights of Malta keyhole on the Aventine Hill in Rome.

The fortified residence originally belonged to Alberic II, a nobleman who ruled Rome from 932 to 954, and later became a Benedictine monastery in the 10th century. With its strategic location on Aventine Hill and advantageous view over the Tiber River, it was a natural choice for the seat of the Knights Templars when they came to power in the Middle Ages. When the order was defeated in the 14th century, the property was passed on to the Knights Hospitallers, the predecessors of the current order now referred to as the Knights of Malta.

The property lies in the piazza Cavalieri di Malta, designed by Giovan Battista Piranesi in 1765. According to Roman legend, Aventine Hill was imagined as a sacred ship that would eventually set sail for the heavens, so Piranesi incorporated many nautical elements and symbols into his designs. The ornamental door symbolized the entrance to the ship deck while the manicured gardens within were the ropes and rig of the ship. The gardens themselves can be viewed by appointment only.

Saint Peter Basilica viewed through the keyhole of Villa Magistrale dei Cavalieri di Malta in Rome, Italy

It is unclear whether the keyhole was aligned with St Peter’s dome on purpose, though the position of the door and the trimmed hedges seem to suggest this beguiling view was planned.

About the author

Livia Hengel

Livia Hengel is an Italian-American writer, photographer and traveler with a penchant for la dolce vita and a severe case of wanderlust. Originally born in Rome, she spent her life living around the world in Peru, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey and the US before moving back to her city of birth. She is passionate about all things cultural, existential, stirring and beautiful and is happiest when she is contemplating human nature over a glass of wine or wandering off-the-beaten-path in a new city. When she's not traveling around Italy, you can find Livia eating her way through the best restaurants in Rome or keeping up with Instagram. Livia is the author of The HUNT Guide for Rome and also contributes to Spotted by Locals.