Visit the Charming and Delightful and Ancient Neighborhood of Trastevere Rome
Trastevere
Meaning “beyond the Tiber”, it is a charming neighborhood with narrow cobblestone streets and ancient houses. It’s a great neighborhood to stroll if you have extra time in Rome with its winding, irregular streets. The area has a very trendy vibe, with live entertainments, great shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. If you have the time I would definitely make this a must visit place and spend a few hours in this neighborhood. The map below can be downloaded as an INTERACTIVE map or as a PDF. The blue map pins are attractions in Trastevere, click on them and/or use the attractions guide below for additional information
Download interactive Map HERE
Download PDF map HERE
Directions to Trastevere
1. Start at Campo de’Fiore
Start at Campo de’Fiore, it’s a five minute walk from this location to the pedestrian bridge, Ponte Sisto. The bridge takes you into the district of Trastevere. Refer to google maps above
Trastevere Neighborhood video
2. Ponte Sisto Foot Bridge from campo de Fiore
A picturesque pedestrian only bridge whose purpose was to connect historic Rome to the Vatican City. It was built by Pope Sixtus IV in 1473AD. It has been known as Bridge Agrippa, Aurelius Bridge, Antoniono Bridge and Valentinian Bridge as a result of those in charge of restorations and unveiling. The last major restoration project was in 2000. The Sisto Bridge connects the lively and popular Campo de’Fiore (via dei Pettinan) in historic central Rome and Piazza Trilussa (via Giulia) in Trastevere
3. Piazza Trilussa
This is a lively square with vibrant nightlife, live music and great entertainment in the neighborhood of Trastevere. At one point it was called “Piazza Ponte Sisto”, a small square in front of the Sisto Bridge and has become a famous meeting place rivalling the Spanish Steps in historic Rome. The square is dedicated to Carlo Alberto Camilo Mariano Salustri, a famous Roman poet whose statue is in the square. In the center of the Piazza is the Fountain of Cento Preti.
4. Porta Settimiana
The Aurelian walls were built by Emperor Aurelian in between 271AD and 275 AD to fortify the seven hills of Rome for a complete circuit of 19kms. Porta Settimiana is one of the three ancient gateways in the Aurelian walls on this side of the river.
The gate marks the beginning of Via della Lungara, the 16th century road connecting Trastevere with Borgo (Refer to the ” FIRE IN THE BORGO” painting in RAPHEAL ROOM 4, VATICAN MUSEUM). The gate separate the lively Trastevere from the quiet government offices, museums like Palazzo Corsini and Villa Farnesina
5. Parrocchia Santa Dorotea
A small, pretty, late Baroque church was built around 1738 by Giovanni Battista Nolli, who is buried here. The church belongs to and is adjacent to the Franciscan monastery. Santa Dorotea is to the right of Porta Settimiana and it is a lovely place to seek peace and quiet from the business of the streets
6. Villa Farnesina in Trastevere
This opulent Renaissance villa, is home to many incredible frescoes by artists such as Raphael. The entry ticket is definitely worth the price, especially after the recent fresco restoration. At the beginning of the 16th century, it belonged to the Sienese banker Agostino Chigi who was also the banker/treasurer for the Vatican. It was purchased by the Farnese family (Alessandro Farnese was Pope Paul III), at the end of the 16th century. It was called Villa Farnese to distinguish it from the Palace on the other side of the Tiber River called Palazzo Farnese and the Farnese Gardens on Palatine Hill. Today, it is the home of the Roman Academy of Science. The main rooms of the villa and the loggia (outdoor patio) are open to the public
Directions: Double back to Porta Settimiana, on your left Palazzo Corsini,
7. Palazzo Corsini and Palazzo Barberini
The baroque palace of the Corsini family is located in front of the cities botanical gardens and next to Villa Farnesina. Located on the corner of via Corsini and Via della Lingara, it houses a collection of antique art by Titian and Caravaggio. Its gallery is a hidden jewel of the 16th and 17th century master painters of Italy donated by the Corsini family. It was the home of Queen Christina for 35 years after she abdicated as the Queen of Sweden. The Palace also has a great library with volumes of books and documents. Part of the palace is Rome’s National Art Gallery. Adjoining it is the Barberini Palace, Palazzo Barberini, which became a museum.
Directions: Behind The art gallery and museum is the Orto Botanico,. From Via della Lungaram head up via Corsini to the botanical gardens (you can see this in google maps)
9. Orto Botanico (botanical Gardens)
Trastevere botanical gardens has upwards of 7000 plant species, including medicinal plants, herb gardens and tropical greenhouse. It’s a peaceful oasis to take a stroll and see the rock garden, fountains, a rose garden, waterfalls and bamboo grove. It’s a perfect place to take a rest or walk. It will take you about 2 hours to walk around. It is not cheap to enter and may not suite all travelers.
From here, get back to via della Lungara. Turn right towards keep walking and it will become via della Scalla. Keep walking on via della Scalla , it will turn into Piazza di S. Egidio. At the end, turn right onto via della Paglia which will take you into the Santa Maria Square where the lovely Santa Maria in Trastevere church is located
10. Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere
The square is a charming and lively place, where you will find, tourists, locals and buskers (entertainers). You can relax and get a snack at one of the pricey cafés or join the people and sit on the steps of the central fountain. It’s a great place for people watching and enjoying the free street entertainment
The square is dominated by 12th-century Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the oldest Churches of Rome (the basic floor plan and wall structure of the church date back to the 340s), and perhaps the first in which Mass was openly celebrated.
11. Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere (Santa Maria in Trastevere)
One of the oldest churches in Rome dating back to 220AD it was dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus. Settling a dispute between tavern owners and Christian worshippers, Emperor Serverus made the church available to the Christians proclaiming “I prefer that if should belong to those who honor God, whatever their form of worship”. Its golden facade and the bell tower were 12th century additions
Explore Trastevere
After your visit to the basilica, walk back along the way you came, towards via della Paglia and turn right on Piazza di S. Egidio. After that take your time and explore the narrow cobblestone streets and alleyways.
Directions: Head back to Ponte Sisto and Historic Rome
When you are ready make your way back to Piazza Trilussa and Ponte Sisto, there are so many routes you can take back that it is best to explore the area and not worry about exactly which street or alley you are going to take to get back. The map above will take you to a link that allows you to download the google map on your smartphone and use it offline. Use google map as a guide when you are ready to head back.
Additional Attractions and Self Guided Tours
- Visit the Roman Colosseum. Click on the Roman Colosseum attractions map HERE and accompanying Colosseum attractions guide HERE
- Take the Rome attractions map and self guided tour: It includes the Vatican City attractions map HERE and the Vatican attractions guide HERE
- Self Guided Walking tour to explore the neighborhood of Trastevere with map of attractions HERE and guide of attractions HERE
- Visit St Peters Basilica. Explore all the attractions in St Peter’s Basilica with the attractions guide HERE
- One of my favorite places is the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The map of attractions is HERE and the self guided walking tour is HERE
- Self Guided Walking Tours – Day Trips from Rome
