Via del Babuino and Via Margutta - English

Via Margutta

Via del Babuino and Via Margutta

Minutes from the crowded Corso, Via del Babuino and Via Margutta offer a different, quieter Rome.

The parallel streets of Via del Babuino and Via Margutta make a pleasant detour between Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Spagna.

Laid out in 1525 and originally called Via Clementina, Via del Babuino takes it’s the name from a statue of Silenus, Dionysius’s tutor, that was so ugly Romans nicknamed it Babuino, or “baboon”; by 1581 the street wore the name as well.

The statue can be seen in front of the church of St. Anastasio (1) halfway down on the right. Just north of  it, at no. 153, is the Anglican church of All Saints (2), built in 1882, seemingly airlifted straight from London’s Mayfair.

Just above All Saints, at no. 19, is the Italian Touring Club (3), a sprawling paradise of a store for serius travelers.

Turing south again, continue to Via dei Greci and Lion Bookshop (4), no. 33-36, whose caffè, children’s nook, and axellent selection of books in English make it a welcome stop.

Retrace your steps to Via del Babuino, turn right to reach Via d’Alibert, and left ubtil you hit Via Margutta.

Turn left onto this charming street that owes its fame to the artists who can no longer afford to live here. If it looks familiar, it might be because Gregory Peck lived here in  Roman Holiday, in one of the tiny aparments tucked at the top the sylvan courtyard of no. 51 (5). Continue up Margutta, taking time to explore the street’s many stylish shops, including Lelli (6) at no. 5, which sells (and ships) exquisite Italian fabrics.