Via del Corso

You’re now on the famous Via del Corso, linking Piazza del Popolo to Piazza Venezia. It’s popular for its six-kilometer stretch of shops, and follows the route of the Via Flaminia, one of the most important Roman thoroughfares of Antiquity. This is where the famous Roman carnival was held back in the day. This spectacular festival, inspired by the Saturnalia, a pagan festival of ancient Rome, was one of the most popular, joyous and colorful events in Europe from the 10th to the 19th century. We’re talking 8 days of sumptuous festivities, richly decorated floats, masquerade parades, confetti battles and other popular traditions. The famous Michel de Montaigne attended the festival in 1581, and wrote all about it in his travel diary. Fast forward two centuries and Goethe would offer his own account. The famous German playwright stayed at a house at number 18 on Via del Corso, now converted into a museum. This street is a haven for shoppers, home to nearly every major Italian luxury brand and international retailer. But of course, this is still Rome, so you’ll also see a few churches and basilicas along the way!