Trastevere: West of the Tiber in Rome

When most visitors come to Rome, they prefer to stay in the city centre, close to major sites such as the Piazza Narvona and the Pantheon. Whilst this logical, a lot of people overlook a neighbourhood that is close to central Rome and can offer a much more local experience; Trastevere.

Its name comes from the Latin Trans Tiberim, meaning ‘beyond the Tiber’ and in many other ways this lovely, picturesque neighbourhood feels separate from the rest of the eternal city. Sure, by day its narrow, cobble-stoned streets receive a fair amount of tourists, but by evening most have headed back to their accommodation in the centre, leaving Trastevere’s dozens of charming bars and restaurants to the locals and particularly its large student population (there are many universities in the immediate area).

Trastevere has had an interesting history; in very early times it was populated with sailors and mariners who worked on the Tiber, but the area didn’t really become part of the city until the emperor Augustus included it in his zoning of Rome into 14 regions. Later on many important figures decided to build their villa there, including Julius Caesar. The beautiful Basilica di Santa Maria was first built in 337AD and is believed to be the oldest place of worship in Rome dedicated to the Virgin Mary.