To the untrained eye, Trastevere calls to mind bustling bars, trattorias and narrow medieval streets. However, when wandering Trastevere it really pays to have a local guide. They can help you uncover the hidden treasures of this intriguing neighborhood.

Begin your Hidden Trastevere tour at the Papal Pharmacy. This pharmacy started producing medicine for the papal court in the 16th century; the friars who lived adjacent, cultivating and blending plants and spices to create remedies. Today, Santa Maria della Scala is seldom visited except by those local to the area, making it one of Trastevere’s last truly hidden gems.

Visit the beautiful church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere. The Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere houses some of the most beautiful Baroque sculptures anywhere in Rome. Its most famous example is Stefano Maderno’s Martyrdom of Saint Cecilia. But there is a wealth of other Renaissance and Baroque art to discover, which your professional guide will walk you through.

Discover the Raphael Frescoes at Villa Farnesina. Many people have heard of Trastevere, but few have heard of its most prized treasure: Villa Farnesina. This sixteenth century palace is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Among its collection are frescoes by Raphael, which rival his artworks in the Vatican’s Raphael Rooms, and scenes of the life and times of Alexander the Great painted by Il Sodoma.