Piazza di Spagna

Welcome to the pearl of Rome. Here you breath the atmosphere of fashion and business in an area with its origins and the remains of Imperial Rome.

Guide 1
As a starting point for this guide we suggest Via di Ripetta, that leads you to Piazza del Popolo. Three baroque churches face onto this square. In the church of Santa Maria del Popolo which is along the side of the Porta del Popolo you will find the "Conversion of St. Paul" and the "Crucifiction of St. Peter" by Caravaggio (1601 – 1602) and the Chigi chapel designed by Raffaello, which are a must. The twin churches divide the trident that consists of Via del Babuino, Via del Corso and Via di Ripetta. Via del Corso takes you up to Piazza Venezia with various shops, while Via del Babuino which goes to the Spanish Steps has elegant antique shops and exclusive boutiques. The parallel Via Margutta is instead the dominion of art, this is an enchanting street with terraced gardens. The Spanish Steps with Bernini's Barcaccia fountain (1627 –1629) and the Trinità dei Monti staircase are in front of you. Via dei Condotti and the streets that intersect it are well worth a wander.

Guide 2
The second itinerary is just as interesting and starts at the Trinità dei Monti, goes along Via Sistina up to Piazza Barberini with Bernini's Fontana del Tritone. The area is the most regal with offices and banks. Across the square going up Via Quattro Fontane (why four? You will find out when you get to the top.) and turning right you walk along the side of the Palazzo del Quirinale. Don't miss the churches of the two rival architects of baroque Rome (S.Andrea al Quirinale by Bernini and S.Carlo alle Quattro fontane by Francesco Borromini) The Piazza del Quirinale once the home of the papal see, faces onto a panoramic terrace. Going down Via della Dataria and turning right you will arrive at the Trevi Fountain (1732 – 51). From here you can get to Piazza Colonna ( going along Via delle Muratte) and see Palazzo Chigi home of the italian government. At this point you are close to the Pantheon that is surrounded by small streets full of life.

Guide 3
A third itinerary is suggested in order to visit another Rome. From Piazza Barberini go up Via Barberini, which ascends in an ample curve, and you will get to Via Veneto that has maintained the elegance and bars that made it famous. Via Veneto ends at Porta Pinciana (one of the roman gateways that delined the city) on the other side is the Villa Borghese park. Not far on the right you will find the Villa Borghese museum which has such masterpieces as the "Paolina" by Canova, the "Davide" by Bernini, "l'amor sacro e l'amor profano" by Titian and many more. Villa Borghese is a big park with a small lake, a zoo, museums and paths where it is possible to travel by bike. Entering from Porta Pinciano you will come out at the Pincio which over looks Piazza del Popolo.