The Via Vittorio Veneto in Rome was originally just called the Via Veneto, but after World War I the name was changed to “Vittorio Veneto” in honor of a battle having taken place at a village of that name. In reality everybody still calls the street Via Veneto, though.
A brief history of the Via Vittorio Veneto in Rome
The Via Veneto became famous in the 1950’s and 60’s because of its cafes and luxury hotels, which attracted the rich and famous, the would-be’s and the paparazzi. Federico Fellini‘s movie La Dolce Vita made the entire world aware of the street.
The street was constructed between 1886 and 1889. It meanders uphill from the Piazza Barberini to the Porta Pinciana, across one of the entrances to the Villa Borghese park. There are numerous interesting buildings along its sidewalks, the most conspicuous one of which is the Palazzo Margherita, which houses the United States Embassy.
Other palazzi of a certain grandeur are the Palazzo Coppedé (also known as Palazzo Parlante) and the Palazzo Excelsior (which has been turned into a hotel). The Palazzo Hotel Majestic, the Palazzo Hotel Balestra, the Palazzo Hotel Flora and the Palazzo Hotel Palace are other examples of buildings changed into luxury hotels.
Among all this wealth stands the Chiesa di Santa Maria Immacolata a Via Veneto, otherwise known as the Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini. When asking directions you had better ask for the church with the bones, though, thanks to its crypt, which uses the skeletons of 4000 cappuccin monks to make a point about life and death.
Nowadays, the Via Veneto makes a slightly sad impression. Many of the luxury stores have closed and restaurants have touts outside trying to talk you into entering.
What to see in the Via Veneto
Palazzo Parlante (Via Veneto, 7)
The building on n7 owes its Palazzo Parlante (“Speaking Palace”) nickname to the many inscriptions on its facade. The building dates back to 1927 and its architect was Gino Coppedé, as stated on one of these inscriptions. This year is also indicated in a different manner, on another one of its inscriptions, ROMANIS QUINTO AB RENOVATIS FASCIBUS ANNO URBIS AD ORNATUM EST AEDIFICATA DOMUS (“The house was built as an ornament to the city in the fifth year of the fascist era in Rome”). An inscription above the first floor windows claims that “Rome is slow because it is Eternal” (ROMA LENIA QUIA AETERNA). Other decorations include cherubs, masks and monsters. The terrain used to belong to the church next-door.
Santa Maria della Concezione Church
The Santa Maria della Concezione Church is found on the right side when walking up the Via Veneto from the Piazza Barberini. It is often called Chiesa dei Capuccini, since it is run by Capuchin monks. The church was built in 1624.
Capuchin Crypt
The biggest attraction of the church used to be its Capuchin Crypt. This has now been made part of a small museum dedicated to the Capuchin Order. In the crypt the skeletons of a number of monks can be seen. Its walls are decorated with the bones of another 4000 monks.
Palazzo Piacentini
The Palazzo Piacentini (photo at the top), originally called Palazzo delle Corporazioni, was inaugurated in 1932. It is currently the seat of the Ministero delle Imprese e del Made in Italy. It is named after one of the two architects (Marcello Piacentini and Giuseppe Vaccaro) who designed it.
Palazzo Margherita
The Palazzo Margherita is the seat of the American Embassy in Rome. The building is named for Queen Margherita of Savoy, who took up residence there after king Umberto I was murdered by the anarchist Gaetano Bresci in 1900.
Public transport
The nearest metro stop to the Via Veneto is Barberini (line A). The closest bus stop is Veneto-Barberini (lines 53, 61, 62, 63, 80, 83, 85, 150F, 160, 492, C3, CINE, N1, N4, N5, N12, N25).
Via Veneto – Rome
Sources
- Touring Club Italiano – Rome.
- Via Vittorio Veneto page on Roma Segreta website.
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