It’s easy to miss the ancient district of Monti, hidden in a dip between two traffic lined roads above the Roman Forum. You find your way into the neighbourhood by dropping down a flight of stone steps from via Cavour, or cutting away from the noise and glare of via Nazionale into the esoterically named Via dei Serpenti (street of snakes). Curious about finding out more? Read on for the full Monti guide Rome.
Monti guide Rome
Monti, with its dense, uneven streets that rise steeply away from the broken plains of the Forum on its south side is one of the city’s oldest villages. Populated since ancient times, its lowest lanes, the Suburra, were home to slums and brothels in the Roman era, while more stately residences rose up the Vicus patricius, which is today the famous Via Urbana, populated with artists and artisans.
Via Panisperna is another key street here with a proud history, associated as it is with Enrico Fermi and his team who made key discoveries in the field of nuclear physics in the 1930s at the former science institute, becoming known as the “ragazzi di Via Panisperna”, the boys of Via Panisperna, immortalised in film.
Tourists and locals flock to one of the bars here, Ai Tre Scalini, which has been serving locals for nearly 20 years. Other highlights of Via Panisperna includes its impressive vintage stores.
Any lover of vintage should start the hunt in Monti: there are lots of great stores here, plus, the cult of the hipster is alive and well and rocking some inspiring looks in the streets around Piazza della Madonna dei Monti. Why buy vintage? Even if you’re not the type to go top-to-toe in sixties, seventies or eighties garb, gently-loved accessories add quality and class to any look. They really don’t make bags like they used to: and acquiring second-hand jewellery is buying into history, to finish an outfit with a truly unique touch.
For the full vintage Monti guide Rome, check out the link below.
