Monte Sacro & Porta di Roma
The ancient Monte Sacro district is Rome's sixteenth, Q. XVI and is located north of the city. It takes its name from the hill on which it stands and is located along Via Nomentana on the right bank of the river Aniene, just before it flows into the Tiber.
In the past it was a place where many churches were built, in fact it has been inhabited since ancient times so much so that human skulls dating back thousands of years were found in the southern area of Sacco Pastore.
Over time it consolidated as an inhabited centre and became famous for its Art Nouveau villas, new residential buildings, and the adjoining district of Monte Sacro Alto, also known as Talenti.
Not far from Monte Sacro is also the urban area of Rebibbia, best known for the prison of the same name, located in the north-eastern suburbs of Rome and part of the Q. XXIX Ponte Mammolo, on the Via Tiburtina, next to the San Basilio district.
Monte Sacro is a popular area for the presence of green areas, it is picturesque and lively, far from the city chaos but well connected and close to the centre. In 2012, the Conca d'Oro stop of the metro B1 line was opened and in 2015, on the same line, the Jonio stop was opened.
We have no availability in this neighborhood
What to see and do
Monte Sacro is an area far from the classic tourist routes but has become a reference point for a part of the city. Some appreciate it more for its natural areas and historical-cultural references, others for its growing nightlife.
The district is also known as Città Giardino Garden City), a name that dates back to the 1920s and to Gustavo Giovannoni's project. This envisaged the construction of detached or semi-detached houses in the area modelled on London's Garden City. These are neighbourhoods that have all the necessary services but are surrounded by greenery.
The central point of the district is Piazza Sempione, where you can find the Palazzo Pubblico, designed by Innocenzo Sabatini, the Church of the Santi Angeli Custodi and the Post Office.
Strolling through the streets of the district one can still find traces of its past, for example going towards Ponte Nomentano, called Ponte Vecchio by the inhabitants, one can see an old military outpost of the city. Moreover, according to tradition, it was the place where Pope Leo III and Charlemagne met.
Another symbol of the area is the Aniene River, whose presence has decreed the urbanisation of these areas in the past and over time. The other bridge over the river is Ponte Tazio, which represented the entrance to the district for those arriving from the city centre.
Among the green areas of Monte Sacro are the Parco delle Valli, a large park for walking and sports, and the Riserva Naturale dell'Aniene (Aniene Nature Reserve) with cycle and footpaths and various species of trees.
Not far from here and passing the Talenti district, another area with residential villas, the San Basilio district also begins. This is characterised by a double soul: on the one hand the old urban layout from the fascist era, on the other hand buildings enlivened by murals and street art.
Taking or renting a house in these areas means being in touch with the realities of the neighbourhood but in a more modern situation, enlivened by newly opened clubs, the colourful designs of the building facades and being able to rely on a widespread public transport service.
Curiosities from popular culture: in the past, Montesacro was the area where Rino Gaetano wrote his songs and where Claudio Baglioni (both well-known Italian singer-songwriters) was born. Today, music still plays a leading role with Mannarino, Galeffi but above all with the underground rap scene that is gradually establishing itself on a national scale.
Where to eat and drink
Over the years, the district has seen a blossoming of new bistros, bars and restaurants, proof of its lively ferment.
Let's review the restaurants in Monte Sacro, from those for a quick lunch to those for a fine dinner: da Dondolo, bagels and pancakes in a place with a vintage décor; Osteria Monte Sacro, traditional Roman dishes in a cosy little trattoria; Dolmen, a wide choice of first and second courses of Italian cuisine; Ristorante Città Giardino, a wide choice of first and second courses, pizza, and homemade desserts.
We continue with La Taverna dei Briganti, very good meat and family style service; da Vinea for tasty and refined food in a gourmet restaurant offering creative land and sea dishes. Nero di Seppia, if you are looking for a seafood restaurant where you can eat both raw seafood and light, tasty fried food. Or Grazia Deledda and Fish da Francesco.
For a change of flavour, El Duende a candlelit Spanish restaurant, from paella to lobster accompanied by excellent wines and live flamenco. When the Japanese craving assails you, Neko Sushi, in Via Nomentana, à la carte or all you can eat.
Some excellent places, also towards Talenti, are: Lo zio d'America, which accompanies you from breakfast to aperitifs; Burg and Burg, classic but also vegan burgers and a selection of craft beers; Twofellows, an aperitif and dinner venue where you will find everything from meatballs to fried food to pizza; Il Locale a cosy pub-bistrot with craft beers, wines and simple dishes.
A wide selection of restaurants and pubs for all tastes is in the Porta di Roma area, which can be reached from Monte Sacro either by car or by public transport. There are meat and fish restaurants, pizzerias, such as Fratelli La Bufala, and pizza by the slice, such as Alice Pizza, eateries for brunch or light lunches, cafeterias, La Piadineria, a famous chain, Old Wild West for burgers and barbecued meat.
Where to go shopping
Those who live in Rome between Monte Sacro, Talenti, San Basilio and the Rebibbia area have the Porta di Roma shopping mall as a reference point for shopping.
The shopping centre is located at 201 Via Alberto Lionello and is open from Monday to Sunday from 10am to 9pm. You can get there by car, but also by public surface transport.
In addition to the Auchan Hypermarket, the list of shops in the shopping mall is varied and wide, you can find up to 250 shops: for clothing, shoes, jewellery, household items, such as Kasanova, for furniture, Leroy Merlin and Ikea, electronic and technological items, such as MediaWorld, for sportswear there is Decathlon.
Inside the shopping centre there is also the UCI Cinemas Porta di Roma, the multiplex with 13 cinemas and 2,500 seats. Over the years the centre has grown, expanding its offerings and becoming a multifunctional location in which to shop, pass the time, and stop for something sweet or savoury to eat.
Not far away there is also Dima Shopping Bufalotta, another shopping centre, with a Carrefour supermarket, located in Via della Bufalotta and open from Monday to Sunday, from 7.30 am to 10 pm. While the shopping arcade is open from 9.30am to 8pm. Here, too, you will find a wide selection of shops of all kinds, as well as cafés and eateries.
In addition, individual districts are stocked with supermarkets and district markets, grocery shops, pharmacies, and shops for shopping and personal services.
Some questions?
Have more questions?
