Unknown Rome: Visiting Arco degli Acetari

“Off the beaten path” sometimes doesn’t have to mean far away from the center of Rome or its stunning landmarks. With this new series of blog posts, we want to show you around our city and introduce you to some of its most beautiful areas, with glimpses of how life was before mass tourism came to the Urbe. Sometimes, it turns out, these picturesque corners are closer than you think!

Case in Point: Arco degli Acetari is located by Via del Pellegrino 19, minutes from Campo de’ Fiori or Piazza Navona, and around the corner from some of our most popular accommodation choices like Pellegrino 11 or Cieloterra.

It’s often said that Medieval Rome is only preserved in Trastevere and its small, winding alleys, but look no further than past the small arch (the “Arco” in the name of this place) hiding this courtyard and be ready to be blown away!

Time has stopped here, and if it weren’t for the occasional trash bin waiting to be collected, you would think you stepped into a time machine (in fact, this is why this place is popular with movie productions!).

Arco degli Acetari, history in a name

It’s picture-perfect and cozy, but during the Middle Ages you must imagine this as a square buzzing with activity, namely that of water-sellers. The Acetari, or Acetosari, came all the way from the northern parts of Rome with “acqua acetosa” (to this day, there is an area of Rome called like that! ), a type of water that slightly tasted like vinegar (which is “aceto” in Italian, hence the name). These merchants used to have the stables for their horses and mules here, in addition to their warehouses. To this day, sellers at the Campo de’ Fiori market keep their stalls in storerooms around these alleys, so you can see how very little has changed in hundreds of years.

Except now Arco degli Acetari is one of the most sought-after areas of the center of Rome, with the rich and powerful willing to pay millions for apartments that are no bigger than contemporary studios (such was medieval architecture!).

What to do in Arco degli Acetari

If you’re expecting a mom-and-pop trattoria or a bench to sit on with a book in this lovely courtyard, think again; this is just a pretty place where you can take a picture and learn a little more about Rome’s history – the kind that rarely appears in books! Please, if you decide to check out this small corner of the city center, be mindful of the fact that these are private residences, so don’t be noisy and don’t be… nosy!