The History
The area currently occupied by the Monte Sacro district appears to have been inhabited since ancient times. Fossils dating back 120,000 years have been discovered here.
The neighborhood was built in 1920, inspired by the English garden city model, and was originally named Città Giardino Aniene.
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A must-see landmark is the Church of the Holy Guardian Angels, located within the city's gardens and built in the 20th century in the Roman Barocchetto style. The church faces Piazza Sempione and features a transitional style between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Its slightly convex façade includes an elegant window in place of the traditional rose window in the pediment. On the front, the inscription "Angelis Custodibus" is engraved.
A unique place to visit is the Ponte Nomentano, which allows Via Nomentana to cross the Aniene River. This Roman-era construction still preserves its central arch from the 1st century AD. The upper part of the bridge was elevated and fortified during the Middle Ages. According to tradition, this was the site of the historic meeting between Charlemagne and Pope Leo III in the year 800.
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The writer Stendhal visited the bridge on April 18, 1828, and in his book Journey to Italy, he described the beauty of the location and the excellence of Italian coffee.
Over the years, the bridge has been immortalized by painters, artists, and photographers, captivated by its distinctive and evocative appearance, with its majestic arch towering over the fortified structure, complete with medieval towers and battlements.
