Teatro di Marcello

The theatre was planned by Julius Caesar and built around 13 BC by Augustus.  A renaissance palace has been built on top of the first two stories of the original arcaded theatre.  

 

Portico d'Ottavia

These evocative ruins were originally the entrance to an enormous square collonade enclosing temples, libraries and shops which was first erected in 146 BC and rebuilt by Augustus in 12 BC.    From the middle ages until the end of the 19th century the portico became Rome's main fish market.

Villa Farnesina

The villa is decorated by some of the greatest Renaissance artists, including Rachael.  

Orto Botanico

The botanical gardens have over 7000 species including some of the rarest plants from Europe.   

Gianicolo: Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi

This piazza which sits like a terrace on the 17th century bastions of the Gianicolo offers a stunning panoramic view of Rome.

The bronze equestrian statue is of general Garibaldi who helped to unify Italy in 1870.

Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere

This piazza is a great place for viewing the parade of people passing by.

The fountain is of Roman origin and was restored in the late 16th century.

The basilica which dominates the square has its origins in the 3rd century though the present structure was built in 1138 and features a stunning 12th century mosaic of the Virgin feeding baby Jesus.   This is possibly the oldest church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Rome.

Chiesa di San Grisogono

Beneath the existing church are the remains of an earlier Christian church dating form the 5th century, which was itself built on a tituus, a private house used for secret Christian worship.

Basilica di Santa Cecilia

This 9th century church was built over the spot where  St Cecilia was martyred in 230.   Although beheaded, legend has it that her body was found intact when her tomb was opened in1599. 

Ruins of a Roman building can be seen beneath the church. 

Isola Tiberina

The island has been associated with healing from the 3rd century BC when a temple was erected to the Greek god of healing Aesculapius.    A hospital run by the Fatebenefratelli has been running since the middle ages. 

The church of San Bartolommeo on the island was built in the10th century on the ruins of the Roman temple.