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Rione of Rome in Lazio, Italy
Photo: Jorge Royan, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Trastevere is a district in Rome. The district's name derives from the Latin words "Trans Tiberem": beyond the Tiber river. Today Trastevere is one of the centers of Roman night life; rich in pubs, restaurants, clubs. Trastevere has a high population of expatriates and American college students as there are two American universities in the area.
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Underneath the beautiful baroque church (with repurposed ancient Roman columns) there is a surprisingly large crypt, where ancient Roman ruins can be viewed. You can also see beautiful early Christian frescoes. Entry is €3 per person, payable in cash only.
There is little information available on Raphael's mistress La Fornarina. Margherita was the daughter of a baker from Siena. His shop was near Villa Farnesina where Raphael was painting. It is reported that Raphael repudiated her on his death bed as he wanted to be redeemed from his sins. Four months after his death Margherita joined the monastery Santa Apollonia in Trastevere. It is said that she was model for Raphael's portrait La Donna Velata.
Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere (1471-1481) gave order to replace the old Roman bridge by a new one. It was Pope Sixtus IV who also ordered the Sistine Chapel and the Opsedale di Santo Spirito to be built. So he ran out of money. He levied a tax on prostitution in order to gain money for the construction of the Ponte Sisto.
One of the oldest churches in the city. The nave is lined with a mismatched collection of columns taken from ancient Roman buildings. The apse is covered in gold mosaics from the 13th century, arguably the finest mosaics in the city. Impressive mosaics also on the front. According to legend the church was founded in 222, so it would be one of the most ancient churches in the city. Written records mention a church on this place in 337. What is visible today was built in the 12th century, by order of Pope Innocent III. The facade is decorated with mosaics representing the Virgin Mary and ten unidentified figures. Most probably these mosaics are the work of Petro Cavallini who created the mosaics of the lower apse dated 1290 representing scenes from the life of Mary. The mosaics of the upper apse in Byzantine style are even older and date from 1140. The columns of the nave originate from the ancient Baths of Caracalla. The facade of Santa Maria in Trastevere is even more impressive at night when it is illuminated.
Very ornately done and beautiful inside, but don't expect any information in English. All information panels are only in Italian. It's still a beautiful site though even if you don't read Italian. According to tradition St.Cecily suffered a particular cruel death as a martyr. She was scalded, suffocated and beheaded by three strokes on her neck. As she was singing all the time during her martyrdom she is considered the patron of music. The building of today shows a mixture of various styles, from the porticus of the 12th-century to the 18th-century facade.
Named after St. Francis of Assisi, who stayed nearby. Inside the Paluzzi-Albertoni chapel is one of Bernini’s masterpieces, the statue of the Blessed Ludovica Albertoni. The column in front of the church comes from the ruins of Veii (see Rome/North).
Delightful Renaissance house that was built by a rich banker from Siena, Agostino Chigi. In 1577 it was bought by the Farnese family and has since been known as Villa Farnesina. At one time there were plans by Michelangelo to build a bridge over the river to connect the villa with Palazzo Farnese on the other side. You can tour several beautiful rooms that are all decorated with frescoes, including some by Raphael. Particularly entertaining is the Loggia of Cupid and Psyche, the former entrance hall, in which nearly every person represented is without clothes.
housed in the baroque palace Corsini where Christina, Queen of Sweden settled down in the last years of her life
Botanical Gardens
This garden was established in 1883. It has over 3,500 species of plants and includes a "Scent-and-Touch" garden for those who are visually impaired.
Museo di Roma in Trastevere
Permanent collection features paintings and drawings of Rome between the 18th and 20th centuries together with a fascinating black and white photo exhibition of Rome from 1950-80. Also offers rotating exhibitions, usually of the work of photographers.
A lovely, if somewhat run-down park (parts of it are blocked due to the poor state of the roads) with statues and a great view on the city.
Janiculum Hill
This is not, contrary to popular belief, one of the original seven hills that Rome was founded on. It is the second highest after Monte Mario, though, and offers incredible panoramic views of the city as long as the authorities remember to prune the trees on the hillside (if they are too tall you can walk a few meters down the hill for views that are just as good). On the other side of the piazza there is also a nice view of the dome of St. Peter's. The Piazza and the street leading up the hill are dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi who led Italian troops against the French here in 1849. There are also several commemorative statues.
This church, which was commissioned by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, marks the point where, according to tradition, St. Peter was crucified. Particularly interesting for Irish visitors as it contains the graves of three Gaelic Chiefs who fled Ireland in 1607.
Designed by Bramante to mark the spot of St. Peter's martyrdom, this delightful miniature building is considered a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Open to the public.
This massive early 17th-century Baroque fountain was built to celebrate the re-opening of an old Roman aqueduct. Water played an important role in this area in Roman times as the grain was milled here using water mills.
Faro del Gianicolo
Strange to see a lighthouse on top of a hill. This was built in 1911 and was a gift to the city from Italians living in Argentina. From here you can continue down the hill, past Rome's largest and Italy's most important children's hospital, Bambino Gesu, eventually arriving at the River Tiber close to the Vatican.
The cobbled streets are narrow and winding and random but losing your way will lead you to places you might not otherwise find. Note that the cobblestone streets (locally called sampietrini) are being paved elsewhere in Rome as the vibrations from cars driving over them have been found to lead to cracking in the foundations of many of the monuments and historic sites around the city. The sampietrini are mostly being left alone in Trastevere though.
Beautiful place to hang around and watch people going by, as well as the many buskers usually found in the square. Join the students sitting on the steps of the fountain or, if you can afford it, have a drink or meal at one of the restaurants and bars on two sides of the square.
Rome’s original "House of the Blues". Has been going strong for 25 years. Italian and international artists, with blues and jazz concerts.
Italian restaurant with excellent food and professional service. Traditional dishes as well innovative variations (try the fettuccine with artichokes and guanciale). Pizza is also served in the evening. Lovely outside terrace overlooking the piazza.
A small osteria in the heart of Trastevere. Authentic non-touristic Roman restaurant serving classic Roman dishes, hand-made desserts and wine. It's a good idea to phone ahead to see if they have room because this small place fills up fast every night, although if you don't mind waiting they'll squeeze you in if they can. They do not take reservations.
Very good ice cream and made from fair trade products by an ice cream artist with a passion for taste.
Uber-modern trattoria.
Get here early if you want a table without a wait. Very popular pizzeria that attracts lengthy queues of young Romans, so it must be good.
Serves pizza, pasta and steak. Great atmosphere and friendly staff. Unique location and décor.
Mediterranean style restaurant. Menu is in Italian and English, and the waiters speak both languages. Open for lunch and dinner. The meals here are excellent and at very good prices. Make sure to try the seafood appetizers.
Run by four brothers from Sardinia. Particularly recommended for its seafood dishes.
Great little pizzeria run by 2 friendly Neapolitan brothers. You can get a big slice and a huge ice cold beer for €5. The place gets full of locals. That should tell you everything. get there quite early as in the evening they have a few pizzas left, most popular time is around lunch and after school. Also note that the street Via di San Francesco a Ripa has a strange numbering system - odd and even numbers are on the same side of the street so no 21 will be between 20 and 22.
On a beautiful old Roman laneway with indoor and outdoor seating. One of the best lasagne in the city as well as plenty of pasta, meat and seafood options. Risotto alla pescatora (seafood risotto) is delicious; don't ask for the fish if you can't get a quick mortgage to pay for it. Prices bear no relation whatsoever to the menu.
Very interesting place in the heart of Trastevere district. Run by very kind handicapped people, it has nice cuisine.
Out of the way. Great food and great service and a very reasonable price.
Suitable for children as well. Useful for arranging a picnic in the park.
Luxury restaurant
A small bar with a great range of drinks, friendly staff and a manic display of cocktail making later on in the evening. There are several TV screens showing major sporting events. Probably the best bar in the world considering its location and stereotypical perfection. The staff are very welcoming to tourists. It is a secret that you'll be lucky to find in the narrow, winding streets of Trastevere.
2-star hotel with 24-hr reception. 20 rooms, All equipped with modern services and private bathrooms. Bookable online.
Small hotel with 4 rooms. All equipped with satTV, Wi-Fi and private bathrooms. Online booking.
All the rooms come with private bath and shower.
Four star accommodation with twin, double with jacuzzi, triple and dus (double for single use). All with private bath and shower. Swimming pool, a private garden and a fantastic panoramic view of Rome.
Gated hotel just off Piazza Santa Maria. Comfortable and has a nice courtyard.
Small hotel, all rooms have a private bath, free Wi-Fi, satelliteTV and A/C.
Friendly modern & minimalist guesthouse.
A luxury 5-star hotel with single, double, triple and quadruple rooms, very quiet with a view of Vatican City.
On Sunday mornings there is a huge flea market. It extends from Porta Portese to Viale di Trastevere.
By tram
Tram n° 8 from Piazza Argentina is a nice tram for the short distance from close to the Pantheon to Trastevere. It runs frequently but unless you have luggage Trastevere is close enough to walk.
By bus
By car
Cars of non-residents of Trastevere are not permitted to park there after dark so you'll have to park close and walk if you're going by car.
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