As previously discussed, the disabitato had a bad reputation amongst Romans before the 12th century due to its uncultivated land, antique ruins, and lack of human settlement. However, starting in the 12th century, agriculture became more common in…

The Porta San Sebastiano is a gate in the Aurelian Walls. It was originally called the Porta Appia, named after the Appian Way, which the gate crosses. The gate was built as part of an extensive series of fortifications under Emperor Aurelian, in the…

Built upon the ancient tomb of Cecilia Metella, this massive fortress derives its name from the ox-head images that decorate its walls. In the 11th century the fortress was incorporated into a larger walled complex. Later on, in the 14th century,…

Just northeast to the Pyramid of Gaius Cestuis, Porta San Paolo now serves as the entrance into the Museo della Via Ostiense. However, entry through the Porta San Paolo brings one to a very different setting--back in the Middle Ages. As an important…

While the center of Rome can be hectic and claustrophobic, it only takes a short bus ride (30 minutes, to be exact) to reach the Caffarella Valley, a beautifully preserved park that maintains some characteristics of the historically romanticized…

Walking through medieval Trastevere, it is easy to forget about the classical Roman city that once flourished across the river. This neighborhood, now home to much of Rome’s nightlife and many of its most recognizably medieval buildings, was included…

Located on the Janiculum hill overlooking Trastevere, Porta San Pancrazio has been an important entryway into Rome since antiquity. In Ancient Rome, the gate was called Porta Aurelia because it was along the Aurelian wall and allowed access to an…