A walk through the streets of this characteristic neighbourhood where the Roman folklore is still alive, where the laundry is still hanging from one window to another. We'll stop to visit the beautiful church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, probably the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It's facade is all glittering with ancient mosaics. And then to the villa Farnesina: a magnificent suburban residence built in the 16th century for Agostino Chigi, the banker of the popes. In his garden he used to entertain cardinals, artists and men of letters. Inside the villa are paintings by the great Raffaello Sanzio. After the villa we cross the Tiber on the famous Sistine bridge from where it is possible to admire the cupolone (St. Peter's dome), and walking along the historical via Giulia we finish the tour in piazza Farnese all occupied by the imposing palace built for the Farnese family by Michelangelo and other architects. |