Private Jewish Heritage Tour: Trastevere & Rome’s Old Ghetto

The tour starts from “Piazza Trilussa”, one of the most loved meeting places for young Romans and tourists, thanks to the locals and the welcoming atmosphere that characterize it: located in the heart of Trastevere, in front of Ponte Sisto, between the Farnesina Lungotevere and Lungotevere Raffaello Sanzio, this enchanting little square is dedicated to the great Roman satirical poet Carlo Alberto Salustri, better known as Trilussa.

Here is located the beautiful Acqua Paola fountain, designed by the architects Van Santen, known as Vasanzio, and Giovanni Fontana, commissioned by Pope Paul V Borghese (1605-1620) in 1613, to supply the districts of Trastevere, Borgo, Regola and Ponte . Conceived as a monumental arch with a central niche flanked by two Ionic columns, the fountain has a high attic on which the Borghese family coat of arms towers, with eagle and dragon, and a celebratory inscription dedicated to the pontiff, for having conducted the water also on the left bank of the Tiber.

The Basilica is probably the first official place of Christian worship in Rome. According to legend, it was built by Pope Callistus I in the 3rd century and was finished by San Julius I in 340.

Rebuilt during the pontificate of Pope Innocent II, it subsequently underwent decorations and restorations, including notable ones promoted by Pope Clement XI (1702) and Pope Pius IX (1870), without however the church undergoing substantial alterations.

Many parts of the church date back to the 12th century; the mosaics are important, especially those on the facade and those in the apse, created by Pietro Cavallini and depicting the "Life of the Virgin". Outside stands the bell tower, with a square base, built in the 12th century.

The portico was remodeled in 1702 by Carlo Fontana and today houses fragments of friezes and ornaments from the ancient basilica, as well as Christian epigraphs, and is surmounted by a balustrade decorated with statues of four popes.

The Basilica is probably the first official place of Christian worship in Rome. According to legend, it was built by Pope Callistus I in the 3rd century and was finished by San Julius I in 340.

Rebuilt during the pontificate of Pope Innocent II, it subsequently underwent decorations and restorations, including notable ones promoted by Pope Clement XI (1702) and Pope Pius IX (1870), without however the church undergoing substantial alterations.

Many parts of the church date back to the 12th century; the mosaics are important, especially those on the facade and those in the apse, created by Pietro Cavallini and depicting the "Life of the Virgin". Outside stands the bell tower, with a square base, built in the 12th century.

The portico was remodeled in 1702 by Carlo Fontana and today houses fragments of friezes and ornaments from the ancient basilica, as well as Christian epigraphs, and is surmounted by a balustrade decorated with statues of four popes.

In the Rione , built between 1581 and 1588 based on a design by Giacomo della Porta (1533-1602).

The history of the fountain is linked to a romantic legend. It is said that Duke Mattei, a lover of gambling, one day lost the entire family fortune in one fell swoop. The future father-in-law therefore refused to give him his daughter in marriage. In response, the duke had this magnificent fountain built in a single night. The following day he invited his betrothed and her father to the palace to show them the work, and exclaimed: "This is what a penniless Mattei is capable of creating in a few hours!". In memory of the episode, he had the window from which they looked out to admire the fountain walled up.

The church of Sant'Andrea della Valle is one of the minor basilicas of Rome. It was built at the end of the 16th century, on the site of the small San Sebastiano church and the Palazzo Piccolomini. It is the mother house of the order of Theatine regular clerics.

Among the architects who participated in its construction, we mention Giacomo della Porta, Pier Paolo Olivieri and Carlo Maderno. Maderno widened the transept and designed the dome, which is the second highest in Rome, after that of St. Peter's Basilica.

In the Rione , built between 1581 and 1588 based on a design by Giacomo della Porta (1533-1602).

The history of the fountain is linked to a romantic legend. It is said that Duke Mattei, a lover of gambling, one day lost the entire family fortune in one fell swoop. The future father-in-law therefore refused to give him his daughter in marriage. In response, the duke had this magnificent fountain built in a single night. The following day he invited his betrothed and her father to the palace to show them the work, and exclaimed: "Here's what a penniless Mattei is capable of creating in a few hours!". In memory of the episode, he had the window from which they looked out to admire the fountain walled up.

Campo de' Fiori is one of the most particular and loved areas of the capital.

The only monumental square in the historic center not to host a church or a basilica, it was built by order of Pope Calixtus III on the site where in ancient times there was a colorful field of flowers, as its name recalls.

In 1440, the square was paved and, around its perimeter, inns and hotels for pilgrims were built. In 1869, the market which previously took place in Piazza Navona and which traditionally takes place every morning from Monday to Saturday was placed there.

Campo de' Fiori, however, also has a dark side: in fact, spectacular capital executions were held in the square, among which stands out the impressive one of the monk and philosopher Giordano Bruno who, accused of heresy, was burned at the stake here on 17 February 1600.