Trastevere - the streets, the squares, quarter life

Let's have a walk around the strets and piazzas near the property, having a stroll around the most intriguing neighborhood.

Via della Pelliccia, where the Dolce Casa -Sweet Home is located, is not only characteristic (as it occurs with all other Trastevere streets and alleys) but it is also probably the most mannerly and quiet street in the area, despite its position, in the very heart of the quarter. It is not a surprise that it was thus chosen by two important centres dedicated to reflection and meditation: the Meditation Club, and the Yoga-Shiatsu centre.

The streets intersecting Via Della Pelliccia are iconic of Trastevere and of the picturesque "Roma Sparita" (the vanished Rome of the previous centuries). Any nook and cranny is characteristic, proportionate, painted with shades of ochre colour, and gracious about just any detail. Vicolo del Piede ("The foot alley") has an eccentric L shape, and it connects directly Via della Pelliccia with the central square Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere. It is a very quiet street, where pedestrians like to walk as they have a chat. Vicolo del Cinque, ("The Five alley") which can be found at the opposite end of Via della Pelliccia, is one of Rome's most picturesque, as the drying clothes remember. Its sociable inhabitants (authentic Romans, but also numberless foreigners who simply love living in Trastevere) either walk or ride their bike.

Piazza dei Renzi is located near the end of Via della Pelliccia intersecting Vicolo del Piede. It is a pleasant square, with proportionate old palaces and trees, with a restful look. You find here also great cafes and a restaurant-pizzeria (whose tables you can single out in the left part of the above photo), where you can have a full Italian meal for as low as 10 Euro (or less!). The typical Italian pizza, called "Margherita" -Margaret, after the first queen of Italy since the pizza comes with three colours: red (the sauce), white (the mozzarella cheese) and green ( basil) - costs only 3 Euro (!).

"Ostaria Romana" a typical Roman restaurant in Via della Pelliccia Via della Pelliccia: Japanese restaurant

Via della Pelliccia has both a typical Roman feel and an international flavour. In fact you can find typical Roman restaurants, and also non-Italian ones, for ex. the Japanese restaurant "Miyabi".

At its opposite end as mentioned Via della Pelliccia meets the intersection of Vicolo del Cinque with Vicolo del Bologna. At the intersection you find a sort of widening, also because surprisingly - as it is though typical of Trastevere - both Via della Pelliccia and Vicolo del Cinque slightly change their direction, having an L shape. In the widening you find many shops and the ever-present Italian bar with fresh cappuccino and coffee.   Intersection of Vicolo del Bologna (left), Vicolo del Cinque (right) with Via della Pelliccia

After it changes direction, in the end Via della Pelliccia reaches the square Piazza Sant'Egidio (on the right side of the palace shown in the photo below). This piazza is a sort of proto-typical Italian square: you find mannerly palaces, excellent restaurants, and intruiguing cafes.

Mannerly building and restaurant in Piazza Sant'Egidio

You also find a Museum, called "Museum of Rome in Trastevere", and quite typically of Trastevere, many trees, giving it a restful look, which is unobtainable in the other districts of the Rome's centre.

The Rome Museum of Trastevere in Piazza Sant'Egidio

Yet apart from its excellent urban layout and quality of the palaces / premises, the square acquired importance in the recent years as the Carmelite Monastery and the Church of Sant' Egidio (St. Giles in English, patron of hermits), which give it its name, have become the centre of a very important community, the "Comunita' di Sant'Egidio".

Another view of Piazza Sant'Egidio and of its characteristic palaces and trees

The church was built in 1630 and until 1971 nuns lived in it. In 1973, it was occupied by the Community of Sant'Egidio, founded in 1968. The community did not have a name before, and then chose to name itself after the church.

The Community promotes peace and coexistence in the world, and it became a reference and a source of inspiration world-wide. Many talks trying to end conflicts in the world are held in this Community, which also hosts refugees of international conflicts. Because of their reputation, some leaders of the Community have become Ministers of the Italian government.

Piazza Trilussa, the streets and alleys leading to Santa Maria in Trastevere Right: The Pauline fountain in the square is a meeting point for the youth

Piazza Trilussa square is practically the Northern border of the Trastevere quarter. It is actually made by a combination of two squares. In one of the two you find the beautiful and imposing Pauline Fountain, whose stairs are a typical meeting point of the youth, and above all the statue-tribute to the Roman poet Trilussa.

The statue and tribute to the Roman poet Trilussa

In the monument you find a poetry of Trilussa, in Romanesque dialect, revealing the Romans' whitty, amiable and fun-loving character. There follows the translation, with title in Italian "ALL'OMBRA" - IN THE SHADE.

"While I read the usual paper sprawled in the shade of a sheaf, I see a swine and I say to him "Goodbye pig!"; I see a donkey and I say to him "Goodbye jackass!". Perhaps these animals won't understand me, but at least I find satisfaction of saying things the way they are, without fearing to end in prison".

The bridge Ponte Sisto and the avenue Lungotevere ("along the Tiber")

One side of Piazza Trilussa opens into the Lungotevere, the tree-lined avenue flanking the Tiber. As you cross it you find the pedestrian-only bridge Ponte Sisto, which leads to the Campo de' Fiori and Jewish quarters, and thus to the other districts of Rome's centre. It is interesting to watch the varied people crossing the brigde: tourists with cameras looking in all directions, professionals fretting as they speak with their "telefonino" (cell phone), kids, couples, people strolling or riding their bike etc.
The following bridge, Ponte Garibaldi, allows motor circulation between the two sides of the Tiber.

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