Centre North South East West

AURELIA ANTICA. It is what is left of the ancient roman street, which ends still nowadays at the Franch border, more than 600 km. from Rome. A mainly residential zone. Shopping mainly small shops, some supermarkets. Light traffic, buildings have parking. Difficult public transport and very few recreational facilities. One foreign school (Deutsche Schule Rom).

BALDUINA / MONTEMARIO. Housing built in 1950s. Numerous supermarkets, open markets and shops. Heavy traffic at rush hours. Good public transport but few recreational facilities. One foreign school (St. Francis).

GREGORIO VII. Housing built in 1950s-1960s. Good supermarkets, open markets and shops. Very heavy traffic, buildings have parking. Good public transport to centre. Few recreational facilities.

MONTEVERDE NUOVO. Modern residential housing built beginning from this century. Small food shops, open markets, numerous supermarkets. Heavy traffic only in the main avenues (Viale Trastevere, Circonvallazione Gianicolense) but quiet in most of the area. Excellent public transport to centre (including the new "fast tram" with own lanes to the historical centre (Largo Argentina). Few recreational facilities.

MONTEVERDE VECCHIO. A little and green hill (as the name says) just on top of Trastevere, thus quieter and less polluted than most quarters of the centre. In some places one can see the most spectacular views of Rome (from the Janiculum - Gianicolo in Italian). The area has been famous as the legendary location of Saint Peter's crucifixion, on a site today marked by Bramante's peerless Tempietto.

Monteverde Vecchio seen from the roofs of Trastevere (Piazza San Cosimato)

The Janiculum and Garibaldi statue seen from the roofs of Campo de' Fiori

It is also historically important as in this hill in 1848 the Roman patriots craving for independence and the French army which intervened to restore the Pope's kingdom fought for four months. There are many excellent and panoramic public parks. It is also a fine residential quarter with housing built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Properties are usually well built and furnished. There are many shops, (including grocery stores and supermarkets) and open markets.
The traffic is mainly local, with good parking facilities. Good public transport and recreational facilities. The American Fine Arts Academy and the American University can be found in this quarter. Monteverde Vecchio is one of the most desirable places to live in Rome.

OSTIA. Situated on the coast near Rome. Housing modern seaside development. Small food shops, open markets, seaside boutiques and supermarkets. Very heavy traffic and difficult parking during the summer. Reasonable public transport to Rome and good recreational facilities.

PRATI. The quarter was built in its present condition just after Rome was captured by the Piedmont army (or Italian army) in 1870. Rome had 1,000,000 inhabitans during ancient times. In the world there were at that time 150 million inhabitants, so Rome was the biggest town on earth, and it was like a town in present times of 45 million people (this contributed to its might). In 1870 Rome had only 200,000 inhabitants (!), and they all lived in its historical centre (although also the places around the walls and around Rome were part of the town and of everyday life, and every native and authentic Roman still regards today what is around the town as important as central just like the central quarters).
The Prati quarter was built for the middle class and for the dignitaries of the newborn Kingdom of Italy, and it was just our of the walls. That part of the historical centre (i.e. within the walls) near to Prati is the most important one. In other words, not all parts of the historical centre are equally important, as there is a trend of Rome's centre to move westward. So Prati today has become part of the centre although it is just of the walls. Conversely, the Eastern parts of the historical centre are practically not regarded as central.
Prati borders the "Borgo" and so it is adjacent to the Vatican (which was built in the 16th century out of the walls too - there is no space anymore in the historical centre since centuries). The build Prati many of  the older buildings were destroyed. Nowadays it is a residential area, with also many offices, companies and schools having their premises in the quarter.
There are small food shops (some big and with international quality food, like "Castroni" in Via Cola di Rienzo. It is an excellent shopping area, especially during Christmas. In the major avenues there is heavy traffic, and it is very difficult parking. Very good public transport, also with the subway line A. Few recreational facilities. Relatively expensive housing, still less expensive than other central quarters.

VILLA PAMPHILI. Near Monteverde Vecchio and Aurelia Antica. Housing built in late 19th and early 20th centuries. Small food shops. Reasonable traffic. Good public transport to centre. Some recreational facilities. Good parks.