Testaccio

Testaccio is another working class suburb of old Rome that is now developing into a popular place. Some of you will know the story of us going to an upmarket restaurant some years ago only to have the slaughter yards next door and truck loads of animal carcasses being taken away as we tried to enjoy our expensive dinner. That is Testaccio and it was noted for its slaughter yards and butchers.

Since our last visit the historic market has been closed and a modern one built - not a popular thing with the locals. We bought some good bread. Looked at these shoes but only Italians can walk in these with style, even on cobbles.

On an ABC programme I had seen about a huge mound of amphorae pieces that archaeologists are investigating. They date back to Roman times and were used in oil transporting from Spain, Tunisia and Albania. It is estimated that the hill contains 53 million amphorae. It is 35 metres high and about 1 kilometres around.
The mound is not easily accessible to the public but we could see places where the broken pots had been used for wall building and other places where weeds were growing through the broken shards. Fascinating stuff!