The 12th rione of Rome is called Ripa. This district is named after the former river harbor, the Ripa Grande. Although it is one of the least densely populated areas of Rome, it can boast many beautiful and important tourist attractions.
Ripa District Rome (rione XII)
History and description
The rione Ripa used to be a lot bigger, but in 1921 the area was divided into Ripa, Testaccio and San Saba.
Important tourist attractions in the rione Ripa are the Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità ) in the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, the Circus Maximus, and the Roseto Comunale.
The Isola Tiberina, the small island in the Tiber, with its hospital and three churches, is also part of the rione Ripa and worth a short visit.
The Aventino, one of Rome’s original seven hills, houses the church of Santa Sabina at the Aventine Hill, the main church of the Dominican Order.
The part of Ripa closest to the river used to be called Ripa Graeca, for a Greek settlement that existed there from the 4th until the 8th centuries AD.