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Visit Rome following 8 XVIIIth century itineraries XVIIIth century Rome in the 10 Books of Giuseppe Vasi - Le Magnificenze di Roma Antica e Moderna The Grand View of Rome by G. Vasi The Environs of Rome: Frascati, Tivoli, Albano and other small towns near Rome A 1781 map of Rome by G. Vasi An 1852 map of Rome by P. Letarouilly Rome seen by a 1905 armchair traveller in the paintings by Alberto Pisa The 14 historical districts of Rome An abridged history of Rome How to spend a peaceful day in Rome Baroque sculptors and their works The coats of arms of the popes in the monuments of Rome Pages on a specific pope Pages complementing the itineraries and the views by Giuseppe Vasi Walks in the Roman countryside and in other towns of Latium following Ferdinand Gregorovius A Directory of links to the Churches of Rome A Directory of links to the Palaces and Villas of Rome A Directory of links to the Other Monuments of Rome A Directory of Baroque Architects with links to their works A Directory of links to Monuments of Ancient Rome A Directory of links to Monuments of Medieval Rome A Directory of links to Monuments of Renaissance A Directory of links to Monuments of the Late Renaissance A list of the most noteworthy Roman Families Directories of fountains, obelisks, museums, etc. Books and guides used for developing this web site An illustrated Glossary of Art Terms Venice and the Levant Roman recollections in Florence A list of Italian towns shown in this web site Venetian Fortresses in Greece Vienna seen by an Italian XVIIIth century traveller A list of foreign towns shown in this web site
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All images © by Roberto Piperno, owner of the domain. Write to romapip@quipo.it. Text edited by Rosamie Moore.
Porto di Ripetta (Book 5) (Map C2) (Day 4) (View C5) (Rione Campo Marzio)

In this page:
The plate by Giuseppe Vasi
Today's view (including Porto della Legna)
Palazzo Borghese
The fountain of Clemens XI

The Plate (No. 85)

Porto di Ripetta

The plate by Vasi is complemented (below today's view) by a XIXth century plate by Philippe Benoist of the series "Rome dans sa grandeur" and by a modern representation of the harbour of Ripetta in the hall of a XXth century building. The view is taken from the green dot in the small 1748 map here below. In the description below the plate Vasi made reference to: 1) S. Girolamo agli Schiavoni; 2) Dome of S. Rocco; 3) Palazzo Borghese; 4) Buildings for the servants of the Borghese family; 5) Stables of the Borghese family; 6) Mill. 1), 2), 4) and 5) are shown in other pages.

Small ViewSmall View

Today

The harbour today

The harbour was used for receiving commodities (including fresh water) from the countryside. Pope Leo X opened a street (via di Ripetta) to link the harbour with Piazza del Popolo. Timber was unloaded at a mooring point slightly to the north of Porto di Ripetta: it was called Porto della Legna. The area around Ripetta had the typical bad reputation of harbours. An earthquake in 1703 caused many travertine blocks to fall from the Colosseum. They were used in 1709 to build new harbour facilities by Alessandro Specchi during the pontificate of Pope Clemens XI. The need to protect Rome from flooding led to the decision in the late XIXth century to destroy the harbour which had no economic rationale in the railway era.

Porto di Ripetta

Porto di Ripetta

Palazzo Borghese

Palazzo Borghese

The "Harpsichord" is the name given to Palazzo Borghese from its shape. Here we see the beautiful terrace by Flaminio Ponzio and Carlo Rainaldi on the Tiber front. The dragons and eagles of Paul V keep a watchful eye on the passers-by.

The Fountain of Clemens XI

The fountain

The fountain which used to overlook the harbour is now in a small garden opposite Palazzo Borghese. The fountain is in itself the coat of arms of Clemens XI. The pillars recorded the most damaging river floods.

Excerpts from Giuseppe Vasi 1761 Itinerary related to this page:


Porto di Ripetta
Incontro alla descritta chiesa evvi il porto per le barche, che vengono dalla Sabina, e dall'Umbria, e a distinzione di quello destinato per le barche e navi, che vengono dal mare si dice di Ripetta. Perciņ č quivi un continuo mercato di carbone, vino, olio; ed altri simili generi di grascie per benefizio del pubblico. Dal Pontefice Clemente XI. fu ornato di comode scale, come si vede, col disegno di Alessandro Specchi, e nelle colonne laterali vi fu posto il segno fin dove sono arrivate alcune volte le inondazioni del Tevere.

Next plate in Book 5: Passeggio di Ponte S. Angelo
Next step in Day 4 itinerary: Palazzo Borghese
Next step in your tour of Rione Campo Marzio: Palazzo Borghese