Art Nouveau in Rome: the Prati district

Situated on the western bank of the Tiber, Prati is an elegant Art Nouveau neighborhood that develops around Via Cola di Rienzo and its luxury boutiques. In the evening, the streets are very busy thanks to the open-air wine bars, elegant cocktail bars and gourmet restaurants .

The neighborhood over time
Prati is the twenty-second and most recent district of Rome, indicated with R.XXII and is part of the I Municipio together with the Borgo, Della Vittoria and Trionfale districts.

In Roman times the territory of today's Prati district consisted of vineyards and reed beds that were part of the properties of Domitia, wife of Domitian.

At least until 1883, in place of most of the neighborhood, there was a vast expanse of cultivated fields, natural meadows, pastures and marshes, while the rest of the territory appeared as a completely deserted area. After 1883, the first building and urbanization interventions took place, partly already imagined under the papal government. Thus, at the end of the nineteenth century, the road structure of Prati was consolidated and a good part of the houses had been built.

On August 20, 1921, the Prati district was officially established, the last in chronological order of the districts of Rome, born as a district that would house the administrative structures of the Kingdom of Italy and a residential area for state officials. Via Cola di Rienzo became its main street because it crossed the entire district, connecting Piazza della Libertà to Piazza Risorgimento. The greatest success of the urban planning projects was represented by the inauguration of the Margherita, Umberto and Cavour bridges. The new residential area was finally accessible from various points of the center.

The construction of Prati was mostly completed in the first half of the 20th century, although some more modern buildings were built later, at the expense of pre-existing villas.

Sociality and tranquility: two sides of the same coin
Prati is known for its large, regular avenues, elegant “umbertine” buildings, Art Nouveau villas and general architectural beauty that gives it a Parisian and modern charm.

It is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious areas of Rome, central and very chic. Its streets are animated by commercial services and host important structures for the city, which every day attract tourists but above all "locals". It is said that it is the best place if you want to meet the real inhabitants of the capital.

Despite the great hustle and bustle that we encounter along the main streets, there is also space for relaxation and peace, thanks to its beautiful parks and its large green areas that offer a regenerating break from the chaos of the city. If we then enter the more residential part of the neighborhood, we are welcomed by a pleasant tranquility and this, without a doubt, is one of the strong points of the neighborhood.

Don't miss it
Being close to the historic center of the capital, there are several bus lines that connect the neighborhood with the most important areas of the city, in addition to the Lepanto stop on the A metro line that crosses the center allowing you to reach Piazza di Spagna in two stops and Termini in four.

In addition to hosting the significant Vatican area, Prati is full of important buildings and places such as the Teatro Adriano , the Palace of Justice, the Arma dei Carabinieri with the annexed Historical Museum of the Arma, Piazza Cavour with its monument and its well-kept garden, Piazza della Libertà and Piazza Risorgimento. In the district there are also the Museum of the Souls in Purgatory and Profondo Rosso, a museum created by Dario Argento on the theme of horror.

Definitely not to be missed are shopping streets such as Cola di Rienzo, one of the most renowned in the city, places to enjoy nouvelle cuisine, the iconic ice cream parlors of the neighbourhood (Fatamorgana, Gracchi and Al Settimo Gelo) and the many trendy clubs that inhabit Prati.