Rome – Ripa-Testaccio-San Saba

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Ripa, Testaccio, and San Saba are three rioni occupying the southern portion of the center of Rome. The area includes the Tiber Island and the Aventine Hill, and features several historic landmarks and ancient ruins.

✪ Tiber Island

Tiber Island (Isola Tiberina) is a small island on the Tiber, the only one along the river inside the city of Rome. In ancient times, it used to host a temple, the ruins of which can now be seen behind the Basilica of San Bartolomeo all’Isola. This church was erected in the Middle Ages and was later reworked in Baroque style with a new facade and elaborate internal decorations. The western half of the island is occupied by a hospital founded in the 16th century. Tiber Island is connected to the mainland through two ancient bridges, the Pons Fabricius (Ponte Fabricio) and the Pons Cestius (Ponte Cestio). Built in the 1st century BCE, Pons Fabricius is the oldest bridge in Rome that still preserves its original structure, although some later additions were made. Meanwhile, Pons Cestius, erected around the same time as Pons Fabricius, was rebuilt in the 4th century and replaced again in the late 19th century. Just south of Tiber Island are the ruins of another bridge, Pons Aemilius (Ponte Emilio), also known as Ponte Rotto (“Broken Bridge”). The structure was erected in the 2nd century BCE, but now only an arch in the middle of the river survives.

✪ Baths of Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla) are a vast thermal complex built in the early 3rd century in Rome. Abandoned around the 6th century, the baths were used as a quarry for construction materials, and as a garden. Now restored, the archaeological area features the imposing ruins of the large buildings that once formed the complex, and includes some underground rooms and tunnels.

Church of Sant’Omobono

The Church of Sant’Omobono is a 15th-century church in Rome, best known for the archaeological area that surrounds it. Here are the ruins of various ancient structures, including some of the oldest temples erected in Rome.

Arch of Janus

The Arch of Janus (Arco di Giano) is an ancient triumphal arch in Rome, the only one with four major arched openings. The arch was built in the 4th century using materials from some older structures.

Church of San Giorgio in Velabro

The Church of San Giorgio in Velabro is a church located next to the Arch of Janus in Rome. The church was built during the Early Middle Ages and was later reworked several times. In 1993, it was damaged by a car bomb explosion. Adjacent to the church is the Arcus Argentariorum (Arco degli Argentari), an archway featuring elaborate reliefs.

Forum Boarium

The Forum Boarium (Foro Boario) is the former cattle market of ancient Rome, located near the Tiber river. Now its archaeological area includes two temples dating from the age of the Roman Republic, the Temple of Portunus (Tempio di Portuno) and the Temple of Hercules Victor (Tempio di Ercole Vincitore). Here is also an 11th-century building known as Casa dei Crescenzi, while the outlet of the Cloaca Maxima, one of the oldest sewage systems in the world, is underneath the Forum Boarium.

Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin

The Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin is an ancient church erected in the Early Middle Ages in the rione Ripa of Rome, currently serving the Melkite Greek Catholic community. The church features a 12th-century bell tower and a few medieval artworks and decorations. However, the main feature is the Bocca della Verità (“Mouth of Truth”), located in the narthex of the church. According to a medieval legend, this ancient Roman sculpture will bite off the hand of anyone who says a lie while their hand is in its mouth, and so it became a popular tourist attraction.

Circus Maximus

The Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo) is an ancient Roman stadium located just south of the Palatine Hill. Built in various phases starting in the early days of Rome, it was used for centuries to host festivals and chariot races. The Circus Maximus was around 620 meters long and 140 meters wide, and could host over 150,000 spectators, even 300,000 according to some estimates. The stadium fell out of use in the 6th century, and the area was only restored in the early 20th century. Now it is a park sometimes used for concerts and events. Some ancient ruins and the medieval tower known as Torre della Moletta are located at the southeastern end of the Circus Maximus.

Basilica of Santa Sabina

The Basilica of Santa Sabina is a church founded in the 5th century on the Aventine Hill in Rome. One of the best preserved Paleochristian basilicas, it mostly retains its original appearance, including its wooden doors carved around the year 430. These doors feature various scenes from the Bible and one of the earliest surviving depictions of the crucifixion of Christ. The church is also adorned with some frescoes painted in the 16th and 17th century. Behind the basilica is the Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci), also known as Parco Savello. The park features a panoramic terrace with a great view over the center of Rome.

Villa del Priorato di Malta

Villa del Priorato di Malta is one of the seats of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, located on the Aventine Hill in Rome. The complex includes various buildings such as an 18th-century villa and the Baroque Church of Santa Maria del Priorato. However, the villa is best known for the keyhole of the door on its main entrance, through which the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica can be seen at the end of a hedge-lined avenue. While the villa is usually closed to the public, the keyhole is accessible.

Pyramid of Cestius

The Pyramid of Cestius (Piramide Cestia) is the monumental tomb of a Roman magistrate erected in the 1st century BCE. Inspired by ancient Egyptian pyramids, it was later incorporated in the fortifications of the city and thus remained well preserved.

Porta San Paolo

Porta San Paolo is one of the city gates along the Aurelian Walls, located next to the Pyramid of Cestius. Now it hosts the Via Ostiensis Museum (Museo della Via Ostiense), a museum dedicated to the road that connected Rome with the port of Ostia.

Non-Catholic Cemetery of Rome

The Non-Catholic Cemetery (Cimitero Acattolico) of Rome is a cemetery housing the tombs of various non-Catholics, such as English poets Percy Bysshe Shelley and John Keats, and founder of the Italian Communist Party Antonio Gramsci. The cemetery features various statues and monuments.

Monte Testaccio

Monte Testaccio is an artificial mound at the southern edge of the center of Rome. It is composed of fragments of millions of ancient Roman pottery and amphorae, piled here during the age of the Roman Empire, and now it is a unique archaeological site.