The Via della Vetrina is a narrow street in the Ponte district in the historical centre of Rome. The street connects the Via dei Coronari to the Via di Monte Giordano. At the point where it meets the latter, it continues as Vicolo delle Vacche (“Cow Alley”) The most striking building in the street is the Palazzo Tanari.
Via della Vetrina
The original name of the alley was Vicolo della Pallacorda del Fico. This name probably derived from a nearby theatre in the Vicolo del Fico. The theatre had probably been transformed from an arena for pallacorda (a precursor to tennis).
The name Via della Vetrina (again, probably) owes its name to a tavern that used to be the first one in the area to have an actual display window facing the street.
Palazzo Tanari
The Palazzo Tanari is located at n.19-21, halfway down the Via della Vetrina. Its facade follows the curve of the street. It is named after a family from Treviso, whose members included cardinals and important local functionaries. The building dates back to the 17th century. It is one of the taller buildings in the street and is topped by a small attic. The bossage on the right side of the facade makes it seem likely that this was a pre-existing part of the structure. In the 19th century, Luigi Rossini, an architect from Ravenna who was also famous for his etchings, owned the building, as indicated on a plaque gracing the facade.
House of Petrus Paulus Ennius
The building at number 16 is even older. Dating back to the 16th-century, it has the name of the then owner inscribed above the portal. It is flankes by two small shop doors surmounted by blind windows.
Sources
- Via della Vetrina on Roma Segreta.
- Photos are my own.