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.
