Beyond Trastevere
Trastevere is a beautiful and charming place to live. In fact, spending time in Trastevere is one of the best parts about attending John Cabot University. But it is always nice to get out and explore a new part of the city beyond Trastevere: an off-the-beaten-path street, an interesting historic monument, or a neighborhood you'd like to learn more about. Now that the weather is warming up, exploring the sunny streets of Rome is a great way to spend your free time. The Coppedé neighborhood is a great place to start!
Quartiere Coppedé
The Quartiere Coppedé is one of Rome's most unusual neighborhoods, because of its unique (and decidedly un-Roman) architectural style and atmosphere. But these are exactly the same reasons that Coppedé is one of Rome's most enchanting neighborhoods as well. Some refer to the neighborhood as the "fantasy district" or the "fairy tale district", as it truly looks like something out of a fairy tale.
If you take a stroll through its beautiful streets, you will see touches of Baroque architecture, Greek inspiration, and Gothic and Medieval styles woven into the buildings, structures, and fountains. The structures in this whimsical neighborhood were designed by architect Gino Coppedé between 1913 and 1927.
Even though Coppedé is small, you will feel like you have entered another world. And, although it is within walking distance from the Villa Borghese park, it is a very quiet neighborhood. This means that you will not see many tourists or crowds. Why not take advantage of this hidden gem?
Bring a camera with you and practice your photography skills. Or bring a pad and pencil and spend the afternoon sketching the famous outdoor chandelier or the frog fountain. You can even grab a notebook and write down your thoughts and impressions of this strange part of town and use it for a journalism class or creative writing assignment.
Villa Torlonia
While you're in the area, you should also stop by the Villa Torlonia park and museums. Villa Torlonia is the most recent of the villas that once belonged to Rome's noble families. Its grounds are full of beautiful gardens, museums, and buildings. Some of these extraordinary buildings include a palace, a theater, conservatory, a tower, a grotto, and more! Take a stroll around the grounds and gardens, or check out one of the ongoing exhibits at the museum, after walking around Coppedé.
