Via Margutta, The Most Romantic Street In The World

Published May 17, 2015
Updated February 5, 2018

In 1953, the film "Roman Holiday" catapulted Rome and one of its most beautiful streets to new levels of fame. See why.

Via Margutta

Source: Turismo Roma

In 1953, American filmmaker William Wyler made one of the most romantic films in history, Roman Holiday. The movie, shot entirely in Italy, tells the tale of an American reporter who falls in love with a princess who has grown tired of the constraints that her status places on her.

Following its release, Roman Holiday transformed Audrey Hepburn into Hollywood’s new darling, and snatched up three Oscars as well as a slew of other accolades. The film also had major impacts for Rome: the city became the must-visit destination for young couples in love.

Anyone looking to recreate the film’s magic has quite a few sites to visit. First are the Spanish Steps at the Piazza di Spagna; then La Bocca della Verita (The Mouth of Truth), where Gregory Peck’s character Joe pretends to lose his hand. But one absolutely cannot forget Via Margutta. This narrow, historically artistic area plays a prominent role in the movie and has transformed into one of the most-visited streets in the world.

If you don’t have the budget for your own Roman holiday, check out our gallery of the street below:

Via Margutta Day
Source: Flickr

Via Margutta Archway
The iconic archways featured in the movie are present today. Source: Rhome Trips

Via Margutta 51
Thanks to the film, Via Margutta 51 has become one of the most-visited addresses in the world. Source: Lucky Pro

Via Margutta Complex
The famed apartment complex as it looks today. Source: Untapped Cities

Via Margutta Artists
Even before the film catapulted the street into fame, many artists held the area in high esteem. Notable residents included filmmaker Federico Fellini, actress Giulietta Masina and painter Renato Guttuso. Source: Wikipedia

Fountain Street
Fontana della Arti, another notable landmark. Source: Internazionale Domus

Fountain Faces
The fountain features a bucket with paintbrushes to symbolize the neighborhood’s centuries-long artistic presence. Artists are known to have congregated here since the 17th century. Source: Pinterest

Paintings On Street
Ever since the street became a tourist attraction, Via Margutta lost most of its bohemian elements that made it appealing to artists—as well as its low rents. However, in recent times, art on Via Margutta has been making a comeback. Source: Il Tempo

Via Margutta More Paintings
Source: Trip Advisor

Via Margutta Fiorentini
Via Margutta is full of small stores and boutiques that sell arts and crafts. Enrico Fiorentini makes and sells marble plaques. Source: Print Mag

Statues Street

Painter On Street
Source: The Freak

Via Margutta Door
Luckily for fans of the film, most of the street is just as it was six decades ago. Source: Blogspot

Via Margutta Courtyard
The famous courtyard, for examples, remains relatively unchanged. Source: Lucky Pro

Stairs On Margutta
Here are the stairs that lead up to Joe's apartment in Roman Holiday. Source: Untapped Cities

Stairs Today
They remain the same. Source: Ciao Tutti

Via Margutta Couple
Source: Zingarate

Margutta Winter
It’s even romantic during winter. Source: Wikimedia

Via Margutta Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin walks through Via Margutta in Woody Allen’s To Rome with Love as a subtle homage to Roman Holiday. Source: Blogspot

Via Margutta Mouth Truth
Roman Holiday fans should also visit the nearby Bocca della Verita. Source: Zainoo

Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps also make for a must-see landmark Source: Wordpress

Via Margutta 100 Painters
If you visit during the summer, you might catch the annual “100 Painters of Via Margutta” exhibition meant to showcase new artists. Source: Meridian Anotizie

Via Margutta Exhibition
The exhibition features over 1,000 works of art covering a multitude of styles. Admission is free and everyone is encouraged to attend. Source: Wanted In Rome

Watch a tribute to "Roman Holiday" below:

author
All That's Interesting
author
A New York-based publisher established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science to share stories that illuminate our world.
editor
Savannah Cox
editor
Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.