Historical Notes
The towers that date back to the Middle Age period are practically unknown, as they remain hidden behind the buildings they lean against. In the past, they were the residence and fortress of the aristocratic families. Over time, many were damaged by the earthquakes and were knocked down by the senator Brancaleone of the Andalò in 1252.
During the Renaissance period, the typology of the residential palace and towers were either enclosed together with the new buildings or completely destroyed. Furthermore, churches and buildings dating back to the Middle Ages are situated along the left bank of the river. At least 40 churches were built during the Middle Ages and these still preserve the original aspect.
The Tour
The tour begins from the Tiber Island; here we can admire the ruins of the Castle of the Caetani, built against the Pierleoni Towers dating back to the 10th century. A marble well curb is located inside the Church of San Bartolomeo on the Island. The well curb was carried out in the 10th century and derives from a fragment of a roman column, commissioned by the Emperor Ottone III. Apart from symbolizing one of the few examples of existing ottanian art, it also represents one of the most important middle ages vestiges of the church.
From the Tiber Island we reach Piazza in Priscinula where we find a fourteenth-century building complex, built for a wealthy roman family after which, it is named: “Casa Mattei”. We go onto Via Arco dei Tolomei which takes it’ name from the Middle Ages Arch.
The Athletes Road (Vicolo dell’Atleta) was named after the the discovery of the statue of Apoxyomeno. The romansque reproduction which dates back to the 1st century a.C. is kept in the Vatican museums. It is possible to admire at number 14, the only Jewish ancient synagogue in the area, which was populated by a considerable number of Jewish roman colonies.
Apart from conserving 9th century precious mosaic apsidal, the Basilica of Santa Cecilia also preserves a gothic ciborium carried out by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1293. In the nun’s choir, we find the famous fresco known as the ‘Giudizio Universale’ by the Romanesque painter Pietro Cavallini, who lived at the end of the thirteenth century.
Continuing towards via dei Genovesi we arrive at Piazza Sonnino where we find the Tower of the Anguillara (Torre degli Anguillara). The fortification dates back to the 13th century and enclosed residences and stables. It was extended in the 15th century by the Earl Everso 2nd. As from 1914, it is the premises of a cultural institution, promoter of the study of the poet Dante, and consequently takes the name of “House of Dante” (Casa di Dante).
Near the square, we find one of the biggest middle age Basilicas of Trastevere, the Church of San Crisogono. The bell tower develops on five levels and was commissioned around 1120 by the cardinal Giovanni da Crema. Following Via Lungaretta, we reach the square in which the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere stands.
The famous mosaics representing the “Coronation of the Vergin” and the History of the Vergin are held in the apses. It is said that, where the Church stands, a miraculous eruption of oil took place and this was interpreted as the announcement of Jesus’ birth. In reality the event can be attributed to a natural petrol leak from the ground.
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Tiber Island 