The Gianicolo: the ridge over Rome, then down to Trastevere

Stops along the way

Things to notice.

1. 01

   1

   Fontana dell'Acqua Paola (the Fontanone)

   Romans just call it *il Fontanone* — the big fountain. A wall of marble and water built to mark the end of an ancient aqueduct, and the opening shot of a famous film. The little terrace beside it already gives you half of Rome. Catch your breath here.

   01

   Fontana dell'Acqua Paola (the Fontanone)

   Romans just call it *il Fontanone* — the big fountain. A wall of marble and water built to mark the end of an ancient aqueduct, and the opening shot of a famous film. The little terrace beside it already gives you half of Rome. Catch your breath here.

   ◉Street View
2. 02

   2

   San Pietro in Montorio and the Tempietto

   A few steps along, in the cloister of the monastery, stands Bramante's *Tempietto* — a perfect little circular temple, the building every Renaissance architect measured themselves against. Tiny, and easy to miss. Look through the gate if the courtyard is shut.

   02

   San Pietro in Montorio and the Tempietto

   A few steps along, in the cloister of the monastery, stands Bramante's *Tempietto* — a perfect little circular temple, the building every Renaissance architect measured themselves against. Tiny, and easy to miss. Look through the gate if the courtyard is shut.

   ◉Street View
3. 03

   3

   Passeggiata del Gianicolo (the terrace)

   The long balcony along the ridge, and the reason for the walk: the whole city laid out below, domes and rooftops to the hills beyond. Come with the morning light behind you. A man with an old cannon fires a blank at noon — set your watch by it.

   03

   Passeggiata del Gianicolo (the terrace)

   The long balcony along the ridge, and the reason for the walk: the whole city laid out below, domes and rooftops to the hills beyond. Come with the morning light behind you. A man with an old cannon fires a blank at noon — set your watch by it.

   ◉Street View
4. 04

   4

   Monumento a Giuseppe Garibaldi

   The hero of Italian unification on horseback at the high point of the ridge, facing the Vatican he once besieged. The terrace around the plinth is the widest view of all. His wife Anita has her own galloping statue a little further north.

   04

   Monumento a Giuseppe Garibaldi

   The hero of Italian unification on horseback at the high point of the ridge, facing the Vatican he once besieged. The terrace around the plinth is the widest view of all. His wife Anita has her own galloping statue a little further north.

   ◉Street View
5. 05

   5

   Fontana del Gianicolo / the descent

   Take the curling road down through the trees toward Trastevere. The slope is shaded the whole way and the city reappears in gaps between the umbrella pines. Let gravity do the work.

   05

   Fontana del Gianicolo / the descent

   Take the curling road down through the trees toward Trastevere. The slope is shaded the whole way and the city reappears in gaps between the umbrella pines. Let gravity do the work.

   ◉Street View
6. 06

   6

   Santa Maria in Trastevere

   Land in Trastevere's oldest square, at the basilica with the golden mosaics on its facade lit at dusk. The piazza fills with people on the fountain steps; a coffee at one of the cafés on the rim is the right way to end. Tram 8 from Belli is a short walk on.

   06

   Santa Maria in Trastevere

   Land in Trastevere's oldest square, at the basilica with the golden mosaics on its facade lit at dusk. The piazza fills with people on the fountain steps; a coffee at one of the cafés on the rim is the right way to end. Tram 8 from Belli is a short walk on.

   ◉Street View