In 1953, American filmmaker William Wyler made one of the most romantic films in history, Roman Holiday. The movie, shot entirely in Italy, tells the tale of an American reporter who falls in love with a princess who has grown tired of the constraints that her status places on her.
Following its release, Roman Holiday transformed Audrey Hepburn into Hollywood’s new darling, and snatched up three Oscars as well as a slew of other accolades. The film also had major impacts for Rome: the city became the must-visit destination for young couples in love.
Anyone looking to recreate the film’s magic has quite a few sites to visit. First are the Spanish Steps at the Piazza di Spagna; then La Bocca della Verita (The Mouth of Truth), where Gregory Peck’s character Joe pretends to lose his hand. But one absolutely cannot forget Via Margutta. This narrow, historically artistic area plays a prominent role in the movie and has transformed into one of the most-visited streets in the world.
If you don’t have the budget for your own Roman holiday, check out our gallery of the street below:
Thanks to the film, Via Margutta 51 has become one of the most-visited addresses in the world. Source: Lucky Pro
The famed apartment complex as it looks today. Source: Untapped Cities
Even before the film catapulted the street into fame, many artists held the area in high esteem. Notable residents included filmmaker Federico Fellini, actress Giulietta Masina and painter Renato Guttuso. Source: Wikipedia
The fountain features a bucket with paintbrushes to symbolize the neighborhood’s centuries-long artistic presence. Artists are known to have congregated here since the 17th century. Source: Pinterest
Ever since the street became a tourist attraction, Via Margutta lost most of its bohemian elements that made it appealing to artists—as well as its low rents. However, in recent times, art on Via Margutta has been making a comeback. Source: Il Tempo
It’s even romantic during winter. Source: Wikimedia
Alec Baldwin walks through Via Margutta in Woody Allen’s To Rome with Love as a subtle homage to Roman Holiday. Source: Blogspot
Roman Holiday fans should also visit the nearby Bocca della Verita. Source: Zainoo
The Spanish Steps also make for a must-see landmark Source: Wordpress
If you visit during the summer, you might catch the annual “100 Painters of Via Margutta” exhibition meant to showcase new artists. Source: Meridian Anotizie
The exhibition features over 1,000 works of art covering a multitude of styles. Admission is free and everyone is encouraged to attend. Source: Wanted In Rome
Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.
Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.
