Rome in pictures to let you visit the eternal city from wherever you are.
Since the times we are living make it impossible to visit Rome, I thought I could share with you a walk of the city through photographs: Rome in pictures.
This is an itinerary to walk from Piazza della Trinità dei Monti, taking the stairs down to Piazza del Popolo and zigzagging through the alleys of Rome, admiring, daydreaming, and taking pictures!
Our virtual walk of Rome in pictures begins in Piazza della Trinità dei Monti. Take your time to admire Piazza di Spagna, the Spanish steps, and the beautiful terraces property of hotels, restaurants, and a few lucky ones.
Next, walk north towards the Pincio. Take it slowly, you don’t want to miss the panoramic scenes of roofs and monuments: it’s breathtaking.
From the Pincio take the stairs down to Piazza del Popolo to take via Via del Babuino, and then via Margutta, a charming little street, less chaotic than Via Del Corso. It is full of very high-end boutiques, but also enchanting antique shops and art galleries.
Before the street takes you to Piazza di Spagna, divert to Via Mario de’ Fiori. There is a pricey but delightful cookware shop worth a visit.
Continue on Via Mario de’ Fiori until you cross Via della Mercede, then turn right.
Zigzagging through the streets, you’ll come to Galleria Sciarra, an 1888 building in Liberty style. The paintings inside the central porch are a celebration of women: they illustrate the models of female virtues. Nose up: you will spot the prudish, the sober, the strong, the humble, the patient, the good-hearted, the lady, the faithful, the loving, and the merciful. It’s beautiful, little known, and fascinating.
Now head to Piazza della Minerva, but first…
There’s a beautiful antique bookshop, the Libreria Cesaretti: a concentration of decades of culture, information, and dedication.
More zigzagging through the streets, take in all the beauty, the sun, the heritage…
Now that you’re in Piazza Minerva seek for the obelisk with a tiny elephant at the base. The elephant was sculptured by Bernini. Look at its bottom. Where is it pointing – with the tail on a side showing something else? To the monastery in the piazza: a rude salute sent by the artist to the Dominicans. Father Domenico Paglia, envious because his project had been rejected and the work assigned to Bernini, had interfered and influenced the papacy commissioner, ruining Bernini’s original project.
This was his quite artistic revenge.
Walk a few steps and stop for a coffee at the famous Cafè St. Eustachio: locals say they make the best coffee in Rome.
A few other steps, and you’ll be facing the Pantheon, now church, and once a temple dedicated to all the gods in Olympus.
Legend says although the dome has an oculus (eye), an opening 9 meters large, rain doesn’t enter the building. The truth is the floor has twenty-two holes, and it is convex, so no puddles form. Also, the dome has a chimney effect: rising air currents that shatter every drop!
It’s lunchtime: there’s a spectacular restaurant nearby. They make Roman cuisine with Puglia ingredients: “puntarelle” salad with stracciatella cheese, carbonara, delicious fish plates, and gorgeous wines.
Enjoy Rome in pictures!
Claudia