ITALY – Rome, Trastevere and Passaggiata del Gianicolo // Spectre (2015)
Trastevere is a local gem under all those beautiful Rome neighborhoods. Come here for the good food – and the unknown Bond locations.
Why Bond was here
After the death of M in “Skyfall”, James Bond (Daniel Craig) follows some breadcrumbs to uncover a sinister organization called “SPECTRE”. Having killed the hitman of the terror group, Bond travels to Rome – hoping to collect more intel at the terrorists funeral.
The beautiful area of Trastevere was used twice in the movie: for an establishing shot, when Bond arrives at Rome in his Aston Martin. And later on for a night drive, when he is en route to a secret “SPECTRE” meeting.
How you gonna get there
Trastevere is a steep neighborhood at the southwestern side of the Tiber – so prepare to get fit for some stairs. The best way to enter the area is via Ponte Sisto – the bridge, where Bond crashdives his car. Walk Via Garibaldi uphill and then take the shortcut to the right at Via di Porta San Pancrazio to head further.
- The Porta San Pancrazio itself is at the end of the stairs, when the small road rejoins with Via Garibaldi. The arch is the first landmark Bond passes, when coming to Rome. He then makes a miraculous jump and drives along the Colloseum 2,5 kilometers to the east.
- The Passaggiata del Gianicolo – the avenue Bond takes at night – is a two-side driveway that leads from the arch towards Terrazza del Gianicolo further north. Bond drives along the eastern road, the one directly next to the Botanical Gardens.
Good to know
Walking up the hill towards the Terrazza del Gianicolo is worth it! You’ll have a stunning view towards Saint Peters Basilica and the Vatican as well as towards the historic city center of Rome. Try to spot all the landmarks and churches from above!
What is benefiting as well is to walk back down: Trastevere is a small, yet beautiful neighborhood filled with local markets, boutiques and cafés. The houses are painted in rich orange colors, pigeons whirl at the piazzas, people sit at benches and enjoy life.
We roamed the area around Piazza di San Cosimato, the home turf of famous pasta restaurant “Ai Spaghettari“. A great place to sit down and relax is also the Piazza in front of Basilica Santa Maria – then stroll along small Via della Lungaretta.
We wont recommend any ice cream parlors, as you can’t do anything wrong with any of them. Every gelato on the way is worth a taste!
Up for an adventure? After the visit to Trastevere head east over Ponte Palatino. At the other side of the Tiber is the famed “Bocca della Verita”, the Mouth of Truth. It is a massive marble mask stuck to a wall at the entry of the Santa Maria in Cosmedin church. Legend has it, that the mouth will bite of the hands of those who lie. But as with all Rome locations, even at the scary ones: Expect queues!
© HuntingBond (1,3) © 2015 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Danjaq, LLC, Eon Productions, and Columbia Pictures, Inc. (2)