A walk in Rome’s Testaccio neighborhood, at the foot of the Aventine hill in the opposite direction from the Centro, presents yet another vision of the city.  It’s named after a small hill, Monte Testaccio, made in Roman times out of piled up amphorae.  This area, certainly not pretty but still authentic, was for a long time the home to the main slaughterhouse, now closed and repurposed as a branch of the Macro modern art museum.  With cobblestones underfoot, surrounded by old animal stalls and meat hooks, one views avant guard art installations.  The neighborhood was traditionally working class and today, of course, attracts its share of hipsters, artists, intellectuals, politicians and expats.  At night what seem to be holes in the wall turn out to be trendy clubs heaving with people.  Testaccio is also a food destination (especially for carnivores…), full of restaurants both long-standing and newer – many built into the Monte’s grottos.  Those who are looking for gourmet delicacies or special ingredients head to the crammed Volpetti alimentari on Via Marmorata.  And, of course, the Testaccio market, once held in a local piazza and now in a covered area near the slaughterhouse, is considered one of the best in Rome.