Monti Rome

Monti Rome: Rome's Bohemian District

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Monti Rome: History
The Monti district has been a part of Rome's history from the very beginning. The name is due to the fact that it originally included various hills, such as Esquilino, Viminale, Quirinale, and Celio in part, later assigned to other districts, but still present in its coat of arms. In ancient Roman times the zone was the most densely populated and plebian part of Rome. A sort of ''ancient inner-city'', just across from the glory of the Imperial Forum, was the so-called Subura, the noisy, crowded, and dirty part of town, today's chic and fashionable Monti.

The Monti of the Middle Ages was also very different from its ancient and modern cousins. The Roman aqueducts were damaged in this period and it was difficult to bring water into this area of Rome. For this reason many people abandoned this area. From the Middle Ages to the beginning of 1800's, the Monti district remained an area rich in vineyards and vegetable plots, with a relatively small population due to water shortage, and its distance from St. Peter's and the Vatican, the cultural center of the period. In spite of these problems in this period the inhabitants of Monti developed a great sense of identity, even their dialect was different from the other Roman vernaculars. Later the urban development of the XIX century, when Rome became the Italian capital, and extensive demolition of the Fascist period transformed the district. In particular from 1924 to 1936 a large area in the Monti district was destroyed in order to build Via dei Fori Imperiali (at that time via dell’Impero) and bring to light the archaeological remains buried there.

A special monument of the district is the Domus Aurea, an architectural complex that is really astonishing, even if it is underground, built after the epic fire of Rome and residence of the emperor Nero. It is said that from these walls Medieval and Renaissance artists copied grotesques, and got inspiration for many of the decorative art patterns so popular during these periods. In the following period Via Panisperna and Via dei Serpenti were built. Monti is praised for its atmosphere, streets and scenery. You shouldn’t miss the Imperial Forums, and Traian's Market.

There are also two important churches: San Pietro in Vincoli, reachable by a long tunnel with a staircase, which hosts the sculpture of Mosè by Michelangelo, and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the third church of Rome for its importance and the fourth in chronological order. Without forgetting the medieval church of Santa Prassede. The Monti District offers a large series of monuments, and palaces. It is also one of the best areas of Rome for unique boutique shopping, food and wine, and nights out. 

Monti Rome: Accommodation
You may lodge in a hotel in the center of Rome or in a Bed and breakfast in Rome located in Monti.

Monti Rome: How to Reach It
You can reach Monti district by the underground A, getting off at the Cavour stop. The bus lines reaching this area are the C3, 75, 84 and 117. You can get other information on the web site of the public transport in Rome, Atac. As for night transport there is the line bus n.1 which stops everywhere apart from Piazza Spagna and bus lines n.10 and n.11 which follow a circular itinerary in the restricted areas on the weekend.

More and different things to come in Monti Rome.

 
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