John Cabot University in Rome is located in one of the city’s most beautiful districts. Taken from a Latin phrase meaning “across the Tiber,” the name refers to Trastevere’s location on the west bank of the city’s river.
Historically a center for artisans, immigrants as well as the rich and famous (Julius Cesar had a villa here), Trastevere retains its bohemian appeal. Stucco buildings and homes dating from the 16th century drip with ivy, their rose, terracotta and ochre colors bleached by the Roman sun. Cobble stones line the winding streets. Laundry and flower-filled window boxes hang above the district’s narrow alleys.
The piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere serves as the center of the neighborhood’s social life. At night the lit façade of the Basilica di Santa Maria (built in the 4th century, Santa Maria is the oldest church in Rome) illuminates the square with its cafes, shops, restaurants—and crowds of people walking after their evening meals.
Trastevere is also the home of the famous Porta Portese Flea Market, wonderful fruit and vegetable markets, and Gianicolo, the second-tallest hill in Rome, which serves up breathtaking views of the city’s domes, towers, and ancient monuments.
You could spend months exploring Trastevere’s twisted alleys and extraordinary eateries and never grow bored.