The Via della Lungaretta in the picturesque Trastevere district in Rome runs exactly where, in the 2nd century BC, the Via Aurelia Nova was located. The street is split in two by the late 19th century Viale Trastevere. It starts at the Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere and ends where it crosses the Via della Pace. From here it continues as Via della Lungarina.
A brief history of the Via della Lungaretta in Rome
The ancient Via Aurelia Nova started at what was then called the Ponte Emilio (and is now known as the Ponte Rotto, or Broken Bridge). It went up the Janiculum hill and subsequently continued towards the Forum Aureli (now Montalto di Castro).
Initially the name was changed into the Via Trastiberina and later, under Pope Julius II (pope from 1503 till 1513), into the Via della Lungaretta.
The Via della Lungaretta is one of Rome’s most photogenic streets. The part east of the Viale Trastevere is more of an alley with several small shops (a.o. an English language used book store), while the part on the other side of the main street is wider and is full of restaurants.
What to see in the Via della Lungaretta
The Chiesa di Santa Agata was built after the death of Pope Gregorius II’s mother. Here the Madonna de Noantri, protectress of the inhabitants of Trastevere, can be found. Every year, on July 17th , this statue is carried through the streets of the district.
The first side street on the left is called the Via San Gallicano. One side of this street is almost completely taken up by the San Gallicano Hospital. This 18th century hospital was built by Filippo Raguzzini and specializes in skin diseases. It replaced a medieval leper colony.
The Chiesa delle Sante Rufina e Seconda was built on top of the house of the two sisters Rufina and Seconda, both martyrs.
What to see in the Via della Lungarina
The Via Lungarina continues towards the river, passing the Piazza in Piscinula and ending at the Piazza Castellani. The latter square is named for one of the noble families that towards the end of the middle ages used to live in the area. The most interesting building is a group of medieval houses united into one complex known as Case dei Mattei.
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