The Origins and Name of Testaccio District
Established on December 9, 1921, and located on the left bank of the Tiber, Rione XX – Testaccio is the true popular and authentic soul of Rome. Here, Romans and tourists alike gather in the numerous traditional trattorias to savor the excellent dishes of Roman cuisine or sip a cocktail with friends in one of the many trendy clubs that enliven the Roman nightlife.
The Hill of Shards: Monte Testaccio
The district’s name derives from Mons Testaceus, the Hill of Shards, which rises on the so-called “testae,” the amphorae, mostly from distant Roman provinces, that once contained food and drink for the citizens of Rome. These amphorae were emptied by the millions and then abandoned and shattered in this area.
From Landfill to Cultural Hub
After the Middle Ages, when the area ceased to serve as a landfill, Monte Testaccio became the site of popular events, ranging from ancient public games, such as the ludus Testacie (a kind of bullfight), to the famous 19th-century “ottobrate romane,” which celebrated the end of the grape harvest. Later, caves were dug at the base of the hill, used as cellars and stables (the so-called “grottini”), which today have become restaurants and disco-pubs, popular meeting spots and social hubs for young Romans.
Historical Monuments and Landmarks in Testaccio District
Among the most representative monuments, landmarks, and religious buildings of the district, we can mention the Non-Catholic Cemetery, Monte dei Cocci, the Pyramid of Cestius, Ponte Sublicio, the church of Santa Maria Liberatrice, the Mattatoio, and the archaeological area of the Emporium. Each landmark tells the story of Testaccio’s rich history and its significant role in the city of Rome.

The Non-Catholic Cemetery: A Place of Artistic and Cultural Reverence
“The cemetery is an open space among the ruins, cloaked in winter with violets and daisies. It might make one fall in love with death, to think of being buried in such a sweet place.” This is how Percy Bysshe Shelley describes the Non-Catholic Cemetery of Testaccio, a romantic place where art, beauty, and nature intertwine in a tapestry rich in evocative references to the past. Declared a Monumental Zone of National Interest in 1918, this cemetery hosts around 4,000 burials, representing various religious denominations, from Islam to Zoroastrianism, from Buddhism to Confucianism.
Borders and Coat of Arms of Testaccio District
The Testaccio district is bordered by Lungotevere Testaccio, Piazza dell’Emporio, Via Marmorata, Porta San Paolo, and Viale del Campo Boario. The district’s coat of arms is a golden amphora on a red background, symbolizing its historic link to trade and commerce through the ancient amphora shards that define its name.
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