Markets, gravesites and panoramic views

Yes,we got behind. It's Sunday already and I am writing about Saturday. And, we already got complaints ...

Well, Saturday we started out with a tram trip to our favorite market in Trastevere, formerly open-air, sort of run-down, authentic, no tourists. Nowadays it's much more "fancy", in a market hall, but still "authentic". Since the 1990ies we bought our groceries there, mortadella, cheeses, ham etc. - always at the same vendor. And, though the couple got older in the course of years they still are there and still are buying there produce.

On the way from the market we checked out Testacchio again, a formerly blue-collar neigborhood of Rome. It's a pity that the famous hill made up of antique earthenware (in which produce like wine, olive oil and other goods were transported on the Tiber), is not accessible anymore. Some time in the 80ies we were able to climb up and study the stamps of the amphore. It's easily seen from the street though, where nightclubs and bars are situated and hens are roaming free. In addition, it's the area where the former slaughterhouses, the "Mattatoio" was situated, still with the old installations, but partly functioning as a museum (MACRO), an organic supermarket and such. Strange neighborhood!

We stopped at the Cimitero Acattolico di Roma (the cemetery for the non-catholic citizens of Rome), mostly British and German and mostly members of the art and literary community beginning of the 19th century. The gate was standing open (surprise!) and we sneaked in and enjoyed the peace and tranquility with a lound background sound of the cicadia. Of course, we bestowed honor to Keats & Shelley, famous British poets, to Humboldt (a German philanthropist and traveler) and to the son of famous Johann W. Goethe. With it's vicinity to the Piramide, built by Caius Cestius in 12 b.c., it must be a fantastic location to have a grave site!

It's been hot and with our provisions we bravely walked up the Aventin, one of the seven hills of Rome, another of our favorite places with a couple of worth-seeing churches, a monastery, The Bucco di Roma - see pic - (never understood the fascination of this peephole) and two great parks with a view. Especially the Parco delle Aranci is popular for wedding photos and therefore always watered and kept in good shape.