Itinerary from the Basilica of Santa Cecilia to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere

The itinerary winds between the Basilica of Santa Cecilia and the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, the beating heart of the neighborhood. Both churches possess a unique charm that testifies to the millennia-old stratification of this historic area of Rome.

The route unfolds along two main axes, Via dei Vascellari and Via della Lungaretta. Like the entire neighborhood, these streets are bustling with traditional taverns, bars, and clubs, popular destinations for both young people and tourists.

The Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches in the city and, in all likelihood, the first Christian place of worship officially dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The building overlooks the square of the same name, the neighborhood's iconic meeting place. At the center of the space stands one of Rome's oldest fountains. Although of Roman origin (perhaps from the Augustan era), its current form is the result of various renovations, including those by Bernini (1658), who placed it at the center, and by Carlo Fontana (1692), who added the four ornamental shells.

The square also features Palazzo San Callisto, an imposing 17th-century Baroque building that completes the monumental setting of this Trastevere view.