A St. Peter's peek-a-boo

The view through the keyhole on the gate to the headquarters of the Knights of Malta on Rome's Aventine Hill

Peek through this keyhole on a piazza designed by Piranesi in 1765, and you see a garden path that ends with bushes perfectly framing the dome of St. Peter's in the distance.

The gateway, incidentally, leads to the gardens of the Knights of Malta (I Cavalieri di Malta), who are actually called the Knights of St. John Hospitaler, one of the last surviving orders of knights left over from the Crusades. (Before you say, "Cool!" and rush off to join, I should warn you they wear rather unbecoming powder-blue uniforms, and they take a vow of chastity.)

The knights left Malta long ago, and their headquarters are now here in Rome. In fact, the Italian state recognizes their sovereignty, which mean there are actually three nations within Rome (Italy, the Vatican, and the Knights of Malta).

Atop the Aventine Hill at Piazza Cavalieri di Malta in Via di S. Sabina.

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