From Piazza Venezia, true beating heart of the town, we go towards the nearby Piazza del Gesù, historical head-quarter of the Jesuits, where our guide will show you the church "Il Gesù", prototype of the main Jesuit churches in the world. The majesty of its interior is meant to smother any heretical instinct and to state firmly the supremacy of Christian religion. Overpassing Via Celsa we reach Via delle Botteghe Oscure, that takes its name from the shops which were inside the ruins of Balbo's theatre in the Middle Ages. We cross Via Caetani, sadly noted because here in 1978 it was found the corpse of the statesman Aldo Moro abducted by the Brigate Rosse. We enter the Mattei di Giove Palace, built by order of the Mattei family; the courtyard houses an exhibition of ancient relieves and Roman busts, result of the deep interests of the family for antiques.
In the following stop, at Piazza Mattei you have the chance to have a sip of limpid water from the Turtles Fountain, one of the most beautiful fountains of Rome, designed by Giacomo della Porta, great fountain-maker of the papal Rome; the turtles were added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Crossing the narrow streets leading to the ancient Jewish Ghetto we will appreciate the charm of a town quite foreign to the bustle of a capital city. Pope Paul IV had the area enclosed within a wall, considering unconvenient for the Christian to live in such a close contact with the Jews, thus creating the Roman Ghetto. Via della Reginella is the only spot of the Ghetto perfectly preserved. Noteworthy is the house of Lorenzo Manili facing on Piazza Giudia, whose façade was splendidly decorated in the Renaissance.
The visit of the Ghetto continues towards the Portico of Octavia, site of the fish market. Of great interest is the Theatre of Marcellus, one of the biggest and best preserved theatres of Ancient Rome, the church of St Angelo in Pescheria and the Synagogue, built in 1907.
The guide then will take you to one of the most enchanting places of Rome, the Tiber Island, whose origins are linked to the very origins of the town. Crossing the bridges of the island we reach the medieval district of Trastevere, where we will see the ruins of the most ancient synagogue of Europe. We proceed to Sta Cecilia one of the most beautiful basilicas in Trastevere with the delicate statue of St. Cecilia by Maderno. We finish our tour reaching the enchanting square of S.ta Maria in Trastevere where you will admire another finest example of Mosaic art in Rome.

Secure payment on line by credit card up to 3 days before the tour
If you need further information or you prefer to contact us instead of using online payment
please e-mail to argiletum@argiletumtour.com