The Piazza Farnese in Rome is home
to the French Embassy and scenes of great jubilation
whenever France win anything at sport. The embassy is
housed within the impressive walls of the Palazzo Farnese
which was the first piece of renaissance architecture
ever to be built in Rome.
Notice the perfectly symmetrical
facade
designed by Michelangelo who was particularly proud
of his first piece of work in Rome which was heavily
influenced by his orphanage in Florence which he designed
a few years earlier.
As recently as 2000 the building was
completely cleaned up in preparation
for the Vatican's
2000 jubilee celebrations. The square is empty apart
from two 17 century fountains, one on either side of
the Piazza.
The marble used to make these fountains
dates back to Roman times and was taken from the marble
taken from the baths of Caracalla. The fountains are
decorated with Lilies the emblem of the old noble Roman
family Farnese. Nearby in the adjacent square to Piazza
Farnese you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the bustling
street market in Campo dei Fiori - go early though as
the market finishes at 2 pm after which there is a big
clean up operation to prepare the square for the evening's
festivities and night life.
Campo di Fiori is the adjacent piazza
to Piazza Farnese and is the best place in Rome to go
out for good nightlife - The Vineria , Drunken Ship
and Sloppy Sams are 3 excellent bars and all conveniently
located in the same Piazza.
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