During the 17th century, in the borough of Trastevere, along a cobble stone street, nowadays called via Garibaldi, was situated the Pontifical State custom house in charge of collecting wheat duties. At that time, a customs officer decided to also improvise a small refreshment station to provide the numerous peasants passing by with bread and wine. This is how the events have shaped the origin for the destiny and the name of “Antica Pesa”. The name was coined at the end of the 19th century, as the original function of the custom house definitely left the stage in favor of the “osteria”, where the old, and perhaps hateful, grinning customs officer was replaced by the attentions of a kinder host.