From Piazza di Spagna to Piazza di Pietra

Piazza di Pietra

From Piazza di Spagna to Piazza di Pietra

This walk heads from east to west across Rome’s center, from its most glittery piazza to one of its quietest.

After a look around the piazza, at least one gelato, and a stop at the Keats/Shelley Museum (1), climb to the top of the steps for a spectacular view across Rome, a visit to the Church of the Trinità dei  Monti (2), and a brief detour left up the Via della Trinità dei Montito the Villa Medici (3), whose widemouthed fountain has a curious spout – a relic of Christina, Queen of Sweden’s, lucky cannonball shot from the ramparts of Castel S. Angelo. 

Retrace your route and cross to the far side of the steps to follow Rampa Mignanelli downhill to Piazza Mignanelli. You may the stop for a coffee stepping into the cool dark of the Caffè Leonardo (4), then follow Via dei due Macelli out of the piazza to Via del Tritone. Turn right to Via della Stamperia, left to the Fontana di Trevi (5), surrounded day and night by wishful tourists and, happily for the bargain minded, dozens of inexpensive shops of all kinds. Follow Via delle Muratte west out of the piazza and across the Corso to the pedestrian passageway of Via di Pietra, which empties into the beautiful Piazza di Pietra (6), named for the Temple of Hadrian, whose 2,000 years old stone columns dominate the piazza. Be sure to peek over the guardrail to appreciate how “tall” Rome has grown in the millennia since then - one of the more graphic examples of the many leyers of the city.

When in Piazza di Pietra don't forget to seat for a coffe at La Caffettiera and to taste its Neapolitan specialties.