When in Rome we talk about the Gianicolo, the first thing that comes to mind is the splendid panorama that can be enjoyed from this viewpoint, truly exceptional. Or we think of the bloody war that, in 1848, stained the area (I will talk about it shortly). But there is more here at the Gianicolo, besides the fact that every day at precisely noon a cannon fires a salute, as per tradition. There is a church here at the Gianicolo which, among other things, had the honor of hosting a distinguished figure of Italian literature: Torquato Tasso. Let's see where your tour guide in Rome takes you today.

We are in the Church of Sant'Onofrio, whose name has been indissolubly linked for five hundred years to Torquato Tasso, the famous Italian writer who, with his Jerusalem Delivered, managed to create a timeless masterpiece. Unfortunately, Tasso did not have an easy life. Strongly criticized for his great work, for years he was pursued by precarious health, accompanied by depressive periods due to debts incurred, the impossibility to work as he wanted, and also the numerous criticisms he faced. For all these reasons, Tasso was a true wanderer, staying at various times both in Naples and in Rome. On April 1, 1595, he entered the convent of Sant'Onofrio, aware that death was near. At only 51 years old, his health conditions were so precarious that he could no longer even write. Withdrawing from the world, he decided to die in serenity and, at the eleventh hour of April 25, one of the three bells of the monastery tolled in mourning, announcing to all of Rome the sadly anticipated death of the great poet and writer. And it was precisely this bell, later called the Bell of Tasso, that unwittingly became a key player in one of the toughest historical periods for the Eternal City. In 1849, during the war that shook Rome and saw, on one side, the French army (in alliance with the pope Pius IX who, in forced exile, wanted to return to the city), while on the other side was the army of the newborn Roman Republic, led by Garibaldi. It was Garibaldi himself who saved this small but important bell. In the final stages of the war, it became necessary to gather as many resources as possible, especially bronze, to strengthen the armaments of the army of the Roman Republic. Particularly to make cannons, a raid was conducted to collect all available resources, and it was decided to start, especially, from the Gianicolo. Upon seeing the soldiers, whose intention was to melt all the bells of the monastic complex, including Tasso's, the superiors of the convent literally begged to at least leave this historical bell alone. No one wanted to listen until, shortly before the seizure, none other than Garibaldi himself arrived at the complex. In this case too, the superiors made passionate pleas to save the Bell of Tasso. Incredibly, perhaps moved by compassion, Garibaldi himself decided that nothing should be taken from there, including the bell! Maybe he was struck by the strength and determination of the religious, who knows.

We will never know the real reason behind the salvation of this bell. It is impressive to think, however, that a simple artifact like this, in addition to its venerable age (even though there are older or more particular ones in Rome, as you can read here), may have been saved thanks to its connection with Tasso. Surely in a historic city like Rome, even this tradition can help understand how unique and fascinating the Eternal City is, as well as being rich in romantic stories, if we want. The fact remains that a piece of history and of Rome, and of all Italian literature, is still visible today at Sant'Onofrio, along with the tomb and the cell that housed Tasso, a symbol of our culture.