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The San Saba District (Rione San Saba) or ‘little Aventine’ is a real hidden jewel in the heart of Rome, an oasis of peace and history in the beating heart of the Eternal City.
Established in 1921, this district stretches over an area rich in testimonies of the past, from ancient Rome to the Middle Ages to the present day. In little more than one square kilometre it is home to almost 3400 inhabitants.
Today’s middle and upper-middle classes contrast with the working-class families of the late 19th century and the first three decades of the 20th century.
The origins of the San Saba District ‘little Aventine’ have their roots in Roman times, when the area was within the Aurelian Walls but in a peripheral position.
The name derives from the basilica dedicated to St Saba, a monk from Cappadocia, built in the 7th century on the site of the barracks (statio) of the IV cohort of vigiles. Strategically located in a place from which a large part of the south-eastern part of the city could be dominated.
Over the centuries, the district underwent profound transformations, becoming an important monastic and religious centre. The Monastery of San Saba, in fact, was considered one of the most important in Rome, especially because in those centuries the popes made it the centre of a lively diplomatic activity towards Constantinople and the barbarian world.
The boundaries of the San Saba district are delimited by important streets and monuments: to the north by the Baths of Caracalla, to the south by the Circus Maximus, to the east by the Via di San Saba and to the west by the Via di Santa Prisca.
The Rione San Saba constitutes the eastern appendix of the Aventine (hence the nickname ‘Little Aventine’) that was partially enclosed by the Aurelian Walls.
The district was established on 9 December 1921 when the larger Ripa district was deprived of part of its territory. The name, as mentioned, is due to the Basilica of San Saba: a jewel of Romanesque architecture, with an important crypt and frescoes of great artistic value.
The mediaeval architecture of the church was partially restored during the restorations of 1900-1901 and 1943. However, the original façade is still covered by a peculiar 18th century portico construction and the upper floor has rectangular windows (instead of the old mullioned and single lancet windows).
Also worth mentioning in the general beauty of the buildings and streets of the district are:
The district, as you might expect, has been the set of many films, thanks to its charming atmosphere and monuments. Residents periodically return to complain about the encroachment of film vehicles, but the lure for Italian filmmakers remains strong.
San Saba is a district that deserves to be discovered for its history, beauty and tranquillity.
Walking through its streets, one has the feeling of having stepped back in time. Moreover, the district is well connected to the historic centre of Rome, making it easily accessible.
The Aurelian Walls that run for a long part in the area and fix its physical border, but also its identity, establish an inside the Walls that identifies the inhabitants of the district. And here the many small stories intertwine with the great History and the events linked to the struggle for liberation at Porta San Paolo.
A district that started out over the centuries as popular, today it is among the most elegant and sophisticated areas of the capital.
