Amazing Rome

 

 

TURTLE FOUNTAIN

 

The Turtle Fountain is a fountain of the late Italian Renaissance built by the architect Della Porta and the sculptor Landini. The bronze turtles around the upper basin were added by Bernini in the XVII century. A popular Roman legend claims that Duke Mattei, ruined by gambling, ordered the fountain to be built overnight in order to win the trust of the wealthy father of a woman he wished to marry.

 

 

 

THEATRE OF MARCELLUS

 

The Theater of Marcellus was built by Emperor Augustus in 13 BC and named in honor of Marcellus, his intended heir who soon died. The theatre was the largest and most important theatre in ancient Rome; it could hold up to 20,000 spectators. In the Middle Ages it was used as a fortress and later, in the 16th century, the residence of the Orsini was built atop the ruins of the ancient theatre.

        

 

 

PORTICUS OCTAVIAE

 

The structure was built by Augustus in the name of his sister, Octavia Minor, sometime after 27 BC. The church of St. Angel in Pescheria was built in the ruins in 770 AD. The portico was used as a fish market from the medieval period until the end of the 19th century. The building represents the center of the Roman Ghetto and within it many Jews took refuge during the Nazi period.

 

 

 

THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE

 

The Synagogue testifies to the regained citizenship of the Jewish community after the shame of the ghetto, established by Pope Paul IV in 1555. The synagogue was inaugurated in 1904 and is frequented by almost all the Roman Jews. Inside there is also the , which preserves the history of the Jewish community of Rome.

 

 

 

TIBER ISLAND

 

The Tiber Island is one of two islands in the Tiber river, which runs through Rome. The Tiber Island is boat-shaped and has been connected with bridges to both sides of the river since antiquity. Being a seat of the ancient temple of Asclepius and later a hospital, the island is associated with medicine and healing. The island is still considered to be a place of healing because the hospital, founded in 1584, is still operating.

 

 

 

ST. CECILIA IN TRASTEVERE

 

St. Cecilia in Trastevere is a basilica dedicated to the patron saint of musicians and founded before the fifth century AD in the house where the saint was martyred. The baptistery associated with this church, together with the ruins of a Roman house of the early Empire, was found during some excavations under the Chapel of the Relics.

 

 

 

ST. MARY IN TRASTEVERE

 

The Trastevere district is the heart of Rome, where the “true Romans” were born. Now a hub of nightlife, food, and wine, Trastevere contains magnificent squares, churches, and historic alleys. In the middle of the square of St. Mary in Trastevere, the largest in the district, is one of the oldest fountains of Rome, as well as the Basilica of St. Mary in Trastevere. The church was founded in the fourth century on the site where, according to tradition, a source of oil gushed out, prophecy of the Messiah coming. The church is also the first place in Rome dedicated to the worship of Mary.

 

 

 

PORTA SETTIMIANA

 

Porta Settimiana is one of the gates of the Aurelian walls. The gate is named after the son of the Emperor Septimius Severus, Publius Septimius Geta. It stands at the northern vertex of the rough triangle formed by the town walls, built by Emperor Aurelian in the 3rd century. In the 16th century, Pope Alexander Borgia rebuilt the gate, enlarging it, probably raising it from its former level and giving it its present appearance. At the same time, the Via Recta was built, today called Via della Lungara, in order to lead the pilgrims from the port on the Tiber River to St. Peter’s Basilica.