What is known as Monte Savello in Rome is not a real hill, but an accumulation of the ruins of the Theater of Marcellus and the detritus left after various floodings of the river Tiber. Monte Savello is part of the rione Sant’Angelo. It is generally thought to include the Palazzo Savelli-Orsini, and the church of San Gregorio della Divina Pietà.
A brief history of Monte Savello
The Monte Savello was created when the ruins of the Theater of Marcellus were plundered. Parts of the ruins were used for the reconstruction of the nearby Ponte Cestio. In those days, the Tiber flooded frequently, leaving detritus behind and thus making the hill higher.
In the 11th century, the area was called Monte Fabi after the family who had built a fortifacation there. This fortification first became property of the Pierleoni and, in 1361, of the Savelli. From then on, the hill came to be known as Monte Savello. In 1519, the Savelli replaced the fortification with a luxurious palace, occupying parts of the Theater of Marcellus. The architect of the new building was Baldassarre Peruzzi.
In 1712, the Giulio Savelli, the last member of the family died. The palace was inherited by the Sforza Cesarini.
In 1729, Ferdinando Bernualdo Filippo Orsini d’Aragona acquired the palace. The Orsini immediately ordered a reconstruction, which also included three new buildings around the garden of the palace.
The Orsini were forced to sell a big part of the property in the early 20th century. The new owner was Leone Caetani, who, being Duke of Sermoneta, gave the palace the new name Palazzo Sermoneta. Caetani later emigrated and sold the building part by part.
In 2012, Prince Domenico Orsini, reacquired part of the building to turn into the family residence.
What to see
Church of San Gregorio della Divina Pietà
The church of San Gregorio della Divina Pietà, located between the Via and the Piazza di Monte Savello, on the site of the previous church of S. Maria in Catineio or Cathincio [22], founded near the Trivio de Macelli della mala carne on the ruins of the houses of the gens Anicia, to which Pope Gregory I belonged. According to tradition, he was born there, giving his name to the branch of the Frangipane family of the same
Palazzo Savelli Orsini
The Palazzo Savelli Orsini is home to the embassy of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to the Holy See. The entrance is at the end of the Via di Monte Savello. It easily recognizable because of the statues of bears topping the pillars flanking the gate.
Il Ghettarello
The area behind the church used to be Rome‘s second ghetto, known as Ghettarello. The ruins of this area were brought to light during excavations in 1999. Some 180 families used to lived in this small area, which nevertheless comprised several granaries, stables and a synangogue.