Janiculum: Cannons and Kisses
This blog is written as a tourist guide for the guests of the Bed and Breakfast Chaplin Hostel Rome.
Gianicolo
The most beautiful views of Rome are those from the Pincio, from the Dome of Saint Peter’s and from the Gianicolo, Rome’s highest hill, towering over the quarter of Trastevere. While climbing the Janiculum the view gradually becomes more spectacular until reach the Piazza di Garibaldi (easily recognizable from the huge statue of Mr. Garibaldi himself).
Cannons
There is a cannon on the Janiculum, which is fired (with blanks, of course) every day exactly at noon. The first time this was done was on December 1st, 1846. At that time it was still done from Castel Sant’Angelo. There was a sun dial behind the Sant’Ignazio church and when this indicated that it was noon sharp, a sphere was hung from the church’s dome to indicate to the people at the castle that it was time to shoot the cannon.
Though the sun dial has become slightly obsolete, the tradition was honored until the year 1903, when the ceremony was moved to Monte Mario, a hill on Rome’s north-western side, and then, a year later, to the Gianicolo.
The ritual was interrupted during World War II, and not taken up again until April 21st 1959. Every day since that date three soldiers have come out onto a terrace on the Gianicolo, in order to fire the cannon.
Kisses
At night the sounds of gunshots are replaced by those of kisses. What can be more romantic than a late evening view over the entire city of Rome, with each and every one of its tourist attractions magnificently lit up. Followed by a dinner in Trastevere.
Directions
We recommend that you visit Trastevere first (from the Chaplin Bed and Breakfast the 64 bus to Largo Argentina, followed by tram 
and then, just before sunset, climb the Janiculum hill, passing the Botanical gardens on the way.