Ancient Rome and Ghetto: Enjoy an Epic Half Day Private Tour

Enjoy a walking tour among two of the most iconic districts of Rome: Trastevere, whose name means on the other side of the river “Tevere”, and the old Jewish ghetto. The tour starts from “Piazza Trilussa” and continues with the visit of St. Mary Basilica, one of the few remaining Byzantine churches in the city. Passing through the alleys of the area, you will arrive to the Tiberine island, “Isola Tiberina”, with its two important and well known hospitals and basilicas.
Crossing the river you will see the “Portico d’Ottavia”, located in the old Jewish ghetto. During the Imperial age, the old market was housed in the Jewish district. Walking through the streets of the ghetto, you will discover the beauty of the Turtle Fountain, built by Gianlorenzo Bernini, the church of “S. Carlo ai Catinari” located in the heart of the district.
The tour ends at Giordano Bruno’s square, the renown “Campo dei Fiori”, where today one of the most important and crowded modern open-air market is located.

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.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
• Provide the Correct address of your accommodation , hotel, B&B
• Provide the correct phone number with international country code
• One day before please call to confirm the pick up
• check that you provide all the details to the agency
• Without this information we can not guarantee the correct service
• Time for pick up at the hotel must be confirmed the day before between 10.00 am and 6.00 pm on the emergency phone or whatsapp

• PRIVATE HEART OF ROME & GHETTO
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  Enjoy a morning tour among two of the most iconic districts of Rome: Trastevere, whose name means on the other side of the river Tevere, and the old Jewish ghetto.

• skip the line ticket museum
• 3 hours with a professional guide

• Tips
• Drop off hotel, Appartments, Bed&breakfast, accomodations

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The tour can be changed without notice due to weather and traffic. You can start the tour directly from the meeting point, or use the free collection service from your hotel. Please refer to the Concierge for information about collection schedules. In order to improve the quality of our services and to avoid delays in the collection to each hotel, we kindly ask for your cooperation to be ready at the lobby of your hotel at the scheduled time.

Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by Welcome Italy.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Europe/Rome.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 12 Travelers is accepted for booking.