Exploring the Trastevere

Today our plan is to explore the area on the other side of the river Tiber.  We start out in the usual way by going by the Vittoriana.  Then we head to the river and of course see more Roman Ruins.  These are from the Republican period.

 The Tempio Di Portunus is a little further on.  The second picture shows a little detail on the cement in the pillars.  By this time they had already discovered the perfect recipe for cement - which helped these buildings survive all these centuries.  It did limit how high they could go.  Now, the cement is made to be very solid and can support the weight of many, many stories.  But it does not last as long.

The weather is holding up so far.  The trees along the river Tiber have turned a beautiful fall color.

We found an old city gate called Porta Settimiana from the 3rd century next to some Aurelian Walls.  Notice it is now raining.  This is supposed to be a much nicer day!

We stopped for some coffee - then, as it is continuing to rain, headed for a museum.  This is another family villa type museum.  The Farnesina family purchased the villa from another very rich man and continued to decorate it using all the latest, famous artists.  Works from Raphael are here.

 Doesn't this look like you could just go out into the balcony and look over the city of Rome?  The floor is the actual floor we walked on, the rest is a painting.

It is still raining, sigh!  Time for lunch.  Maybe it will clear up - nope, still raining.  So we head for the Piazza Snata Maria in Trastevere.  The basilica is located here.  We have passed it at least once - but it is totally covered for restoration and we did not recognize it.  The Basilic Di Santa Maria in
Trastevere was established in 350 AD.  It has had many changes and additions over the years.  It is knows for its fabulous mosiacs on the walls in the apse.