Medieval Rome
Isola Tiberina and Trastevere
It is not easy to find artistic reminders of the Medieval period in
Rome, as quite often they have been incorporated into buildings built
during later periods, but walking through these areas you'll see some
precious remains from the Medieval history of Rome.
On the Isola Tiberina it is still possible to see the remains of the
Castle of Caetani, built against the Torre dei Pierleoni dating from
the 10th Century. In 1087 Maltilde di Canossa and Pope Victor III hid
in the tower to escape the army of anti-pope Clement II.
The tower which is still at the head of Ponte Fabricio, is also known
as the Torre della Pulzella ( Tower of the maid ), referring to the
small marble head of a young woman set into the brick facing. Inside
the Church of San Bartolomeo all'Isola, is one of the most important
medieval pieces of the church: a marble puteal or well curb created
from a Roman column fragment.
Heading towards the Trastevere, take a detour to Piazza in Piscinula
with the Casa Mattei, an elegant complex of 14th Century dwellings built
for a noble Roman family. Follow Via Arco dei Tolomei named after the
14th Century arch that still stands today, and was constructed by a
family originally from Siena.
The basilica of Santa Cecilia has a beautiful Gothic tabernacle executed
by Cambio in 1293, and precious 9th Century apse mosaics (see other
sites of Mosaics in Rome). The monk's choir
holds the famous fresco with the last judgement by Pietro Cavallini,
the greatest Roman painter of the 13th Century.
In Piazza Sonnino you'll find the Torre degli Anguillara, better known
as the house of Dante. The fortress, consisting of a crenellated wall
which strengthened by the tower, enclosed a dwellings and stables dates
from the 13th Century. Nearby is the church of San Crisogno, one of
Trastevere's great medieval basilicas, with its imposing 5-storey bell
tower.
Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of Rome's most precious relics of
Medieval times. The church allegedly stands over the Taberna meritora
where, in 38 B.C. a miraculous eruption of oil took place, interpreted
later as an annunciation of the birth of Jesus. The Church is famous
for its delightful mosaics.
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