15 LEFT! PRESALE: ROME 75th ANNIVERSARY COIN

LIMITED EDITION ROME ITALY OFFICE 2.25" 4.5MM THICK CHALLENGE COIN.  ROME WAS ONE OF THE VERY FIRST OVERSEAS OFFICES. 

The Aventine Keyhole is a famous hidden gem located on the Aventine Hill in Rome, offering a breathtaking, framed view of St.  Peter’s Basilica’s dome through a small keyhole in the door of the Magistral Villa at Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, 3, 00153 Roma RM, Italy.  This unique perspective, created by architect Giovanni Battista Piranesi in 1765, uses a laurel hedge to frame the dome, making it appear larger and closer than it is—creating a striking "telescope effect." 

This keyhole is part of the Sovereign Order of Malta’s historic estate, which has been their seat since 1312. The villa, now the institutional headquarters of the Grand Master and the Order’s embassy to Italy, sits within a small, ornate 18th-century square decorated with war trophies honoring the Knights of Malta. It’s also the only place in Rome where you can see three distinct entities in one view: Vatican City in the distance, Rome in the middle, and Italy beyond, thanks to the extraterritorial status of the gardens. 

Visitors from around the world come to experience this iconic photo opportunity, often queuing to peek through the keyhole at any time of day. The view is especially popular at sunrise or sunset, when the golden light enhances the dome’s silhouette. While access is limited to the public area outside the villa, the experience is free and unforgettable.