Trastevere - the true spirit of Rome

Trastevere, deriving its name from the Latin Trans Tiberim (across the Tiber), is one of the most ancient and picturesque districts of Rome. Since the time of Emperor Augustus, the Roman area was famous not only for its numerous markets due to its proximity to the Tiber port, but also for the multinational inhabitants of this amazing place.

Later, thanks to the Tiber, which literally separated Trastevere from the center of Rome, the local residents managed to preserve the authenticity of the district, despite inevitable architectural changes. Here you can find narrow, winding and uneven streets, houses creeping up on each other, covered in ivy, and meet locals chatting over a glass of wine in colorful bars and osterias in the evenings.

Program

We will meet at the liveliest place in this district, Trilussa Square. Then we will stroll through the winding streets of this neighborhood and visit one of the most beautiful basilicas, Santa Maria in Trastevere, with magnificent mosaics from the 12th-13th centuries. Nowadays, especially in the summer, you can see numerous street artists from different parts of the world entertaining Romans and tourists with cheerful concerts in the square in front of the basilica.

We will also visit the church of San Francesco a Ripa, where the famous statue by Bernini "The Ecstasy of Blessed Ludovica Albertoni" is located, and the church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, known not only for the eponymous statue by Stefano Maderno, but also for a multitude of stories and legends associated with this patron saint of music.

We will also stop by the church of Santa Maria dell'Orto, built in 1566 literally out of nowhere, among gardens and vegetable plots belonging to the locals. Even now, surrounded by colorful stone houses, this example of baroque art has not lost its charm.

During the two-hour walk, we will not only stroll through the most romantic streets of Trastevere, but also see the house where the beloved of the famous Raphael lived, the place where the smallest and oldest bell in Rome is located, learn about the Roman aperitif, and many other interesting and mysterious facts about Trastevere.

Our walk will end on the small Tiber Island, famous not only for its unusual boat-shaped form and the sanctuary of Asclepius - the god of medicine, but also for preserving its "medical" purpose since 293 BC thanks to the famous hospital complex Fatebenefratelli.