Monti Rione

Monti from Ancient Times to the Present:
Originally known as Suburra, home to gypsies, prostitutes, and thieves. Where people, such as Julius Caesar sent his troops after battle for some time to “unwind”. Today known as Monti, named for the many hills of Rome that the rione covers. It is the oldest rione and the most authentic. Despite being in the heart of the city, it is relatively free of tourists and very safe. Before 1874 Monti was the largest Rione, but that year it lost a large part of its land, which now is the Esquiline Rione. Then only a bit more than 50 years later, Mussolini tore down part of Monti to make Via Dei Fori Imperiali. This destroyed around 30% of the residential neighborhood. Despite these two devastating wounds to the rione, in the years following, Monti experienced a “building fever”. Many “immigrants” (I believe this was a misunderstanding in our presentation, immigrants not from other countries, but Italians from other Riones in Rome) moved to Monti. It became a very hip, and spendy area to live. Most of the inhabitants today are doctors, lawyers, journalists, and boutique owners. Many hip jazz clubs, organic food shops, ethnic food and local artisans shops can be found wandering the streets. The people of Monti are pleased in their own advancements, being the oldest but also the “most recent”. But they fear that they will become Rome’s trendy spot, bringing in tourists.



Architectural History:
Via degli Ibernesi is an excellent example of the age of the Rione. All of the buildings you see are build on ancient Roman Foundations. The first couple floors are from medieval times. The 3rd floors are all Renaissance add-ons. And all of the roof terraces were put up in the 1950’s.



La Torre Delle Milizie:
Rome had 200 towers at the end of the 13th century, now only about 12 remain (5 in Monti). La Torre Delle Milizie is the most famous, sometimes called “Nero’s Tower”. Because it is a common myth that Emperor Nero started the city of Rome on Fire and watched it burn from the Tower (Because Nero’s palace was located in Monti there are many stories of him relating to the Rione. Such as.. He was known to sneak around in dark alleyways in hope to catch the local gossip). The Tower was built over 800 years ago by Pope Gregory IX to be apart of his fortress. Sadly as soon as it was put up, the tower began to sink on one side, so it Rome’s own leaning tower! La Torre Delle Milizie stands almost 50 meters tall, which equals about 7 stories.




Monti vs. Trastevere:
They are the two most important rione in the city, Trastevere being the largest and Monti the oldest. The two constantly feud over who is more “Roman”. Supposedly the people from both are the most genuine “Roman”, the women the most beautiful, and the men the strongest. But they will never admit to this being true of the other, so they encourage marriages within their Rione (Romeo and Juliet anyone?). Every few years they choose a male “leader” (bully) and they take part in the “throwing of stones” at the Campo Vaccino. This is a competition in which the rione with the most superiority would be decided. The “leader” would bring his godfathers to watch, as they would throw rocks and use knifes to battle. Who ever won the fight would be known (among the people) as the “Leader of Rome” (because one of them is the only true Roman in the city).


Street Names and Their Meanings:
Piazza degli Zingari: Gypsy Square, in medieval times was the location of a nomad camp.
The Vicolo delle Carrette: Carriage Alley, the location where during the Renaissance, carriages brought barrels of wine from regions far away.
Look for meanings of other street names!!


Piazza Santa Maria Dei Monti:
The Church of Santa Maria Dei Monti was commissioned by Pope Greogory XIII in 1580 after discovering A miraculous 15th century image of the Madonna, Saint Lawrence, and Saint Stephen. The Image was found in ruins of a convent, the church was built on top of the ruins. Every year between April and May a copy of the image is carried in a procession. The Façade of the Church was designed by Giacomo Della Porta (who also did Il Gesu, can you recognize the similarities?)



FOOD FACT!
On Via dei Serpenti the Pasticceria La Licata makes a delicious honey pastry from an ancient Roman Recipe!!!