The Piazza Farnese in Rome is home
to the French Embassy and scenes of great jubiliation
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 symetrical
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 preperation
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 Lillies 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.
Did you know?
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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