A local’s guide to visiting Piazza Simpsonsimato in Trastevere, Rome: a secret street art spot on Piazza di San Cosimato, near the area’s hidden cloisters!
I remember the first time I wandered the streets of the lively Trastevere area; I must have taken the H bus or the tram, and definitely got lost on the way from Termini.
This was four years ago, when I first moved to Rome, and little by little, knitted my way into Roman life and its symbols.
One said symbol, which locals know and don’t even pay attention to anymore, is Piazza Simpsonsimato, in the very heart of Trastevere.
Piazza Simpsonsimato in Trastevere, Rome’s Secret Street Art
Piazza Simpsonsimato is the playful nickname for the real square officially called Piazza di San Cosimato.
Should you have been here before, you may have read my guide to Rome’s most secret places, and I’ve mentioned quite a few Trastevere spots in there.
One of them being the Chiostro di San Cosimato, a secret cloister (actually, two!) hidden inside the nearby hospital.
The Piazza Simpsonsimato nickname comes from a quirky fresco of the Simpsons painted around the playground in the middle of the square.
It’s just one of those little secret street art spots that Rome is filled with, from the Tor Marancia open-air museum to the mind blowing MAAM Museum and its creepy art.
Piazza Simpsonsimato, Rome: Origins of the Name
While locals call it Piazza Simpsonsimato for fun, the official name for the square is hence Piazza di San Cosimato.
The piazza is named after the nearby Church of San Cosimato, a Benedictine monastery dating back to the 10th century.
The church is dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian, twin brothers and early Christian martyrs officially recognized by the Catholic Church.
Funnily, there is no saint called “San Cosimato” himself; the name is just a local variation referring to these two saints together.
Piazza Simpsonsimato, Rome: History and the Hidden Cloister
The original monastery was transformed into the Ospedale Nuovo Regina Margherita hospital in the 19th century.
Within this hospital complex, accessible literally 45 seconds away from Piazza Simpsonsimato, lies a secret cloister that you can access only by passing the hospital’s gate.
It’s free, and anyone can enter the Chiostro di San Cosimato, but you may very well get lost on your way; the first time I went, I asked the on-site staff to help me out, as it really is a labyrinth.
Piazza Simpsonsimato, Rome: How to Get There
The piazza is located at Piazza di San Cosimato, 00153 Rome, Italy.
It’s a rough 10-minute walk from Trastevere railway station, which you can access via several bus lines, including 75, 280, and H.
The piazza is well-known amongst Romans for its day market, where you can treat yourself to cheeses, fruit and veggies and other Italian specialties.
Piazza Simpsonsimato, Rome: What to Do After
After checking out the Piazza Simpsonsimato, you’ll find there are lots of cool things to do in Trastevere around:
- Do visit the cloisters and the Church of San Cosimato inside the hospital complex
- You can also stroll through cobbled streets like Via della Lungaretta and Via del Moro
- Or visit Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of Rome’s oldest churches, just five minutes away, a true gem of architecture
- If you’re more into beautiful gardens, the Botanical Garden of Rome (Orto Botanico) is wonderful for a peaceful break, views of Rome and a stunning Japanese garden
I would also recommend you do pop by Caffè Trastevere on Viale Trastevere, the main road; this is one of my favorite spots for breakfast in Rome: amazing caffè ginseng and zeppole di San Giuseppe at the right time of the year!
On a nearby street, Via di San Francesco a Ripa, you’ll also find one of Rome’s most unique shops, Elvis Lives, as well as Tiramisu, with tasty tiramisu cups made before your eyes.
And if you choose to visit on a Sunday, do not miss the Porta Portese Market; it’s filled with mounds of vintage and second hand clothes, books, and accessories on the cheap!
Piazza Simpsonsimato in Trastevere, Rome’s Secret Street Art
If there are lots of famous and lesser-known street art spots in Rome, I have to admit Piazza Simpsonsimato is one of my favorite.
Every single time I am around the Trastevere area, I’ll make it a point to visit this little square; more often than not, I’ll spend some time at the Chiostro di San Cosimato as well.
There are lots of similar secret places in Rome that you wouldn’t ever expect to come across; Piazza Simpsonsimato is one such spot!
If you’re as much into hidden gems as I am, here are a few guides and reviews I’ve written that you may enjoy: