The Sant’Eustachio district is Rome‘s 8th rione. Despite being one of the smallest ones, its central location and abundance of tourist attractions makes it one of the city’s most popular areas.
A brief history of the Sant’Eustachio District in Rome
Sant’Eustachio owes its name to a church that is located in its center and dedicated to a martyr from the 2nd century. During the Middle Ages, there probably used to be a vineyard owned by one Tedemario in the area. When Rome was first divided into rioni, the current Sant’Eustachio was more or less the central part of the Campo Marzio district. There were many important buildings in the area, none of which remain. Several churches were built, commissioned by the various guilds that resided there.
More recent buildings have also had to give way, partly due to the construction of the Corso del Rinascimento and the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Sant’Eustachio has been the 8th rione of Rome since 1743. Many of its alleys owe their names to the crafts that used to be practiced there. For example, the Via Staderari is named after the makers of an antique type of scale.
What to see in the Sant’Eustachio neighborhood
The rione is a perfect background for an evening walk in the Eternal City, with some of Rome’s most picturesque streets and churches (the magnificent San Luigi dei Francesi is the national church of France in Rome).
Churches are the main attractions in the rione Sant’Eustachio. The most famous one is the church of San Luigi dei Francesi, which contains three of Caravaggio‘ te ‘s paintings. The church of Sant’Andrea della Valle is graced by several works of art and the church of Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza has a famous cupola.
Palazzo Madama, seat of the Italian Senate, is also located in Sant’Eustachio, as is one of the city’s most famous fountains, the Fountain of the Books.
Piazza della Rotonda and Piazza Sant’Eustachio are the main squares of the district. Famous streets include Via Arenula and Corso del Rinascimento, but narrow and picturesque alleys such as Via de’ Giubonnari and Via degli Staderari are more characteristic of the neighborhood.
Abate Luigi, one of Rome‘s talking statues, decorates the Piazza Vidoni.
Piazza Benedetto Cairoli is named for one of Garibaldi‘s helpers. The main attractions flanking the square are the church of San Carlo ai Catinari and the Palazzo Santacroce.
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