A Brief History of the Rioni of Rome
While they may not be as famous as the arrondissements of Paris or the sestieri of Venice, the historic centre of Rome also has its own distinct neighbourhood divisions, known locally as rioni. The origins of these administrative districts can be traced back to ancient times and their fluctuating boundaries, names and number reflect the history and expansion of the Eternal City.
It was Servius Tullius, the 6th of Rome’s 7 kings, who first divided the city into four sections back in the 6th century BC. These were called regiones (the Latin name would later be contracted to rioni in the local vernacular) and were named Suburana, Esquilina, Collina and Palatina. These divisions stayed in place for five centuries up until the reign of Augustus. The Roman historian Suetonius documented the emperor’s decision in 7 BC to divide the city into 14 parts which remained unaltered throughout the time of the ancient Roman empire. The rioni of Augustus were originally known only by number but were later given names relating to either a monument or feature of the area, or named after the hill on which they were situated. Initially the only area to be found on the west bank of the Tiber river was Transtiberim (literally ‘across the Tiber’) which would later become known as Trastevere.
After the fall of Rome and the virtual abandonment of the city, this neighbourhood categorisation was all but lost and it was not until the 12th century that the city was once again split, this time into 12 parts. The repopulation of the city during the Renaissance called for more precise boundaries to be set, and the creation of the Borgo area near the Vatican brought the total number of rioni up to 13. However there were still no physical signs of the borders of the rioni and the fact that opposite sides of the same street could be in two separate neighbourhoods caused constant misunderstandings. In 1744 Pope Benedict XIV came up with the solution of placing 200 marble plaques on the edges of each boundary to clear up the confusion.
Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripLooking for an expert's perspective?
Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
CentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.Next
CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea. Next
CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different. SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.Next
SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon. Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Next
Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers. Next
Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers. Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Next
Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise. Next
Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price Africa
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Next
Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt. Next
The next 200 years saw further fluctuations in the number and placement of the rioni, including a complete revision during the short reign of Napoleon who established 8 sections, named giustizie, by merging some of the existing sections to create larger areas. It was at the beginning of the 1900s that the rioni began to take their present shape; bigger neighbourhoods were split and areas outside the walls were added as the city began to sprawl. In 1920 the total number rose to 22 and remains so to this day. Each rione has a number, name and coat of arms which usually features a symbol relating to the history of that part of town. For example Pigna is named after ancient bronze pinecone which was found in the area during the middle-ages which can now be found in the Cortile della Pigna (Pinecone Courtyard) at the Vatican Museums. The symbol of the Testaccio neighbourhood is an amphora which reflects the location of the ancient port of Rome where goods were transported into the city in terracotta pots and stored in this area.
Each of the 22 sections of Rome has its own character, monuments and history, and although not immediately obvious, evidence of the rioni can still be spotted around town. Some street signs still have the rione number written in the top-right corner, depicted by an R followed by Roman numerals. There are also some surviving marble plaques still visible on the side of buildings in the older areas of the city.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
