Via dei Coronari

Via dei Coronari is one of the most fascinating and historic streets in Rome, located in the Ponte district. With its cobblestone pavement and Renaissance buildings on both sides, the street represents a journey through time that takes visitors through centuries of Roman history. The name “Coronari” comes from the sellers of crowns and rosaries who lived on the street in the Middle Ages, as the route was frequented by pilgrims heading towards St. Peter’s Basilica. The history of Via dei Coronari dates back to ancient Rome, when the street was part of an important consular road. During the Renaissance, it became one of the main commercial centers in Rome, with numerous shops selling religious items to pilgrims. This period was particularly prosperous for the street, also thanks to its strategic location between Castel Sant’Angelo and Piazza Navona. Architecturally, Via dei Coronari is a gem. The street is lined with noble palaces and bourgeois houses from the 15th and 16th centuries, many of which have been carefully restored. Among the most notable is Palazzo Lancellotti, built in the 16th century for the Lancellotti family, one of the most influential families in Rome. The palace is a magnificent example of Renaissance architecture and today houses one of the city’s most prestigious art galleries. Another significant building is the Casa di Fiammetta, named after Fiammetta Michaelis, the famous lover of banker Agostino Chigi. The house, built in the 15th century, is one of the best-preserved examples of Renaissance housing in Rome. Today, walking along Via dei Coronari, you can admire the facades decorated with coats of arms and friezes, which tell the story of the families that lived there. In addition to its historical and architectural importance, Via dei Coronari is known for its antique shops and art galleries. The street is a paradise for art and antique lovers, with windows displaying vintage objects, antique furniture, paintings, and sculptures. This connection with art and culture makes Via dei Coronari a unique place, where past and present harmoniously blend. An interesting anecdote concerns the Fountain of Piazza San Simeone, located at the intersection with Via dei Coronari. The fountain was built in the 16th century and takes its name from the church of San Simeone, which was nearby. According to legend, the fountain was donated to the city by a merchant who had made a fortune selling crowns and rosaries to pilgrims. This detail adds an additional layer of charm to the street’s history. A distinctive feature of Via dei Coronari is the presence of numerous artisan workshops, continuing the centuries-old tradition of manual craftsmanship. Here you can find restoration workshops, goldsmiths, and tailors, where artisans create and restore objects with the same skill as their ancestors. This continuity of artisanal traditions helps keep the historical soul of the street alive. The location of Via dei Coronari, just a few steps from some of Rome’s main points of interest, such as Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and the Vatican, makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the city. The street is also well connected to the rest of the city, with numerous bus stops nearby.