Clivus of Scaurus

The Clivus Scauri is one of the ancient streets of Rome, which offers an extraordinary journey through time, between Roman ruins and suggestive medieval testimonies. Located in the heart of the Celio district, the Clivus Scauri stretches between Piazza di San Gregorio and Piazza dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo, connecting some of the historically and archaeologically most relevant places in the city. The street, named after the powerful Aemilii Scauri family, dates back to the imperial era and has retained its original name to this day. Already in Roman times, the Clivus Scauri was an important road, as evidenced by inscriptions and medieval documents that mention its name and function. The street crosses the depression between the Palatine and the Celio, running along the eastern side of the latter hill to the summit, now known as Piazza della Navicella. The path of the Clivus Scauri is dotted with archaeological remains that evoke ancient Rome. Along the street, you can admire stretches of Roman and medieval facades, including the ancient tabernae, small shops dating back to the 3rd century AD. These structures, characterized by bricks and traces of a second floor, offer a glimpse into daily life and commerce in ancient Rome. The tabernae are located near the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, a church built from 398 AD onwards above the Roman houses of the Celio, known as the Roman Houses of the Celio. These buildings, located under the basilica, have been rediscovered and restored, offering an incredible testimony of the residential continuity and urban transformation of Rome. The Clivus Scauri is also famous for its characteristic arches, which cross the street at various points. These arches, some dating back to Roman times and others added in the medieval period, give the street a picturesque and suggestive appearance. Until the 16th century, there was a second row of arches superimposed on the one still visible today, a testament to the complexity and architectural stratification of the area. Continuing along the Clivus Scauri, you reach the majestic Church of San Gregorio al Celio, located at the beginning of the street. This church, built between 1629 and 1633 according to the design of the architect Giovanni Battista Soria, stands on an ancient oratory and features an elegant Baroque facade. Near the church are also the remains of a cryptoporticus, a covered corridor belonging to a house from the 3rd century. Another point of interest is the Arch of Dolabella and Silano, an ancient city gate located at the end of the Clivus Scauri. This arch, which was part of the Servian walls, was built in 10 AD by the consuls Publius Cornelius Dolabella and Gaius Junius Silanus. The arch originally supported a branch of the Aqua Marcia, one of Rome’s most important aqueducts, and today represents a link between Roman past and the modern topography of the city. Furthermore, along the route are the ruins of the Temple of the Divine Claudius, an imposing structure built in honor of Emperor Claudius and later transformed into a fortification and monastery. The remains of the temple, with their grand podium and Corinthian columns, dominate the view and tell the story of imperial power and its veneration. The street, now known as Clivo di Scauro or Via di San Paolo della Croce, has retained its ancient configuration, offering visitors a fascinating walk through the centuries.