The neighborhood
RILA hosts students and classrooms in one of the most characteristic neighborhood in Rome: Trastevere.
This year, RILA students reside in apartments in Trastevere, an ancient neighborhood nestled in between the historic center and the Vatican. Trastevere was originally built by the Etruscan and inhabited in ancient Roman times by Jews and Syrians, it then became the site of various Roman villas, and later an important part of Rome’s expansion in the Middle Ages. Most of the current buildings in the oldest part of the neighborhood are medieval or Renaissance constructions.
Although a touristic hotspot, the neighborhood maintains its characteristic charm thanks to its web of narrow cobbled alleys that abruptly spill out into grand squares. Santa Maria in Trastevere is the center of the area and one of the most beautiful squares in Rome thanks to its Basilica adorned with Byzantine mosaics and its Renaissance fountain, believed to be the oldest in Rome. Directly in front of the church, it serves as a meeting place, a resting spot, or simply somewhere to enjoy a gelato under the summer sun. S. Cosimato, always crowded with locals, hosts a large fresh produce market which contributes to the square’s small-town vibe. Tiny S. Callisto comes alive at night as one of the centers of the renowned night life of the area. The bar at San Calisto is an institution: from the first espresso served at dawn until the last drink at 2am, a steady stream of old and new customers goes through the place throughout the day, animating one of the neighborhood’s liveliest squares
In Trastevere you will find everything you might need during a prolonged period abroad: supermarkets, markets, every type of shops, pharmacies, restaurants for any budget, bars and pubs open from 7 am to 3 am. The neighborhood has become one of Rome’s most popular for expats and tourists. The older part of the area around Via Della Scala and Piazza Trilussa is usually very crowded at night, particularly because it’s right by the Ponte Sisto, one of the pedestrian bridges that crosses the Tiber and connects Trastevere to the rest of the old city. However, during the day the streets are relatively quiet, and locals go about their business and their work. It’s not uncommon to find an open doorway to a craftsman shop and people don’t seem to mind if you take a peek inside.
Being in Trastevere means being surrounded by ancient architecture and modern nightlife, studying the city as the great artists of the past once did, and having the marvels of Rome just a walk away. While one can walk to most of the major sites in the historic center, there are also many public transportation options.
All apartments have wi-fi and are fully furnished; they include fully equipped kitchens
with silverware, pots/pans, and cooking utensils, as well as a washing machine, linens and towels. Apart from providing more personal space and freedom, being in an apartment allows students to save money on food while learning to cook Italian dishes. Apartments are for three to six students, and bedrooms are shared by two or three students.
RILA students are required to reside in one of the apartments provided by the program in order to maximize everybody’s safety and to promote a group bond. For the same reason, we try to mix students from different colleges and campuses as much as possible. In our long experience (RILA started in 2008!), this facilitates a better experience for everyone both in and out of the classroom. Because of this policy, we won’t be able to accommodate any requests to share the room with a particular student.
Classrooms
During the Summer Program, our classes are held in the very heart of Rome’s historic center, in the “Palazzo del Collegio Romano” or Roman College Building. The Roman College is located around the corner from the Pantheon and at walking distance from virtually all the major historical or artistic sites in the city. Here you can see a map highlighting the Roman College central location in reference to some of the most important sites in Rome and to the Trastevere neighborhood across the river, where the student apartments are located. This beautiful Renaissance building is today a national monument in Italy. Learn about the history of the Palazzo del Collegio Romano.
Classrooms are walking distance from the students’ residence. In addition to the location of the daily seminars, every year RILA holds special classes at the Vatican Museums, in classrooms made available to RILA students only. This exclusive opportunity allows students to enjoy a unique experience of the museums, which often includes a visit to sections of the museum that are closed to the public. (RILA students also have the privilege of immediate entrance to the Vatican Museums, avoiding the long wait outside of the museum, as the lines at the gate can be hours long).
