For many, a big factor in constructing their notions and expectations of Rome is the classic 1950s Hollywood romance, “Roman Holiday”. Starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck as a European princess and an American journalist who shows her around Rome before the two ultimately fall in love, it is the movie that launched Hepburn's career, won her an Oscar and made millions fall for the city.
If you, too are a fan of the movie and have always wanted to recreate your own Roman Holiday, just find a holiday rental in Rome and check out these locations that were featured in the film.
One of the first sights on your list should be the Spanish Steps, the beautiful 18th century Baroque steps between the Piazza di Spagna (at the base) and Piazza Trinità dei Monti. These 135 steps were built by French diplomat Étienne Gueffier’s, linking the Bourbon Spanish Embass, and the Trinità dei Monti church and was designed by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi.
If you, too are a fan of the movie and have always wanted to recreate your own Roman Holiday, just find a holiday rental in Rome and check out these locations that were featured in the film.
One of the first sights on your list should be the Spanish Steps, the beautiful 18th century Baroque steps between the Piazza di Spagna (at the base) and Piazza Trinità dei Monti. These 135 steps were built by French diplomat Étienne Gueffier’s, linking the Bourbon Spanish Embass, and the Trinità dei Monti church and was designed by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi.
Iconic and an easy visit, this features in the movie when Peck runs into the princess once more, sitting on the steps, eating an ice-cream. Why not grab a gelato yourself and recreate the scene?
An iconic scene from the movie sees the princess teased when Peck's character acts as though his hand has been bitten off by the “Mouth of Truth”. Dating to around the first century AD, the Bocca della Verità, or Mouth of Truth, located in the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, is a very tall stone disc with a humanoid face carved into its surface.
The original purpose is of the large medallion is uncertain but theories of all sorts of uses have flown around for centuries: everything from a ceremonial well cover, to a piece of fountain decoration, to a manhole cover.
An iconic scene from the movie sees the princess teased when Peck's character acts as though his hand has been bitten off by the “Mouth of Truth”. Dating to around the first century AD, the Bocca della Verità, or Mouth of Truth, located in the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, is a very tall stone disc with a humanoid face carved into its surface.
The original purpose is of the large medallion is uncertain but theories of all sorts of uses have flown around for centuries: everything from a ceremonial well cover, to a piece of fountain decoration, to a manhole cover.
Supposedly, it will bite off the hands of liars and visitors now line up to test it out and take a commemorative photo. This is another location from the film that can easily be added to your own Roman Holiday.
As the film was made all across the city, there are plenty of other things and sights featured to be seen, so be sure to read on to the next post for more of the must-see spots that will help complete your Roman Holiday!
As the film was made all across the city, there are plenty of other things and sights featured to be seen, so be sure to read on to the next post for more of the must-see spots that will help complete your Roman Holiday!