Bet you didn't know this existed in Rome!
🏛️The Coppedè Quarter (Quartiere Coppedè) was built between 1916 and 1927, designed by Florentine architect Gino Coppedè. He envisioned it as a "city within a city" for wealthy Romans, diplomats, and bankers. The result is a stunning space where every house tells its own unique story.
What to look out for: 3 main highlights
🏰1. The Arch of the Embassies (Palazzi degli Ambasciatori) — This is the main entrance to the neighborhood from Via Tagliamento. The arch connects two buildings and immediately sets the vibe for the entire area: massive lions, a mask of Minerva, and a wrought-iron chandelier under the vault. This is exactly where you realize that what lies ahead isn't your "typical Rome."
⛲️🐸2. The Fountain of the Frogs (Fontana delle Rane) in Piazza Mincio. This is the beating heart of the quarter. The Baroque-style fountain, featuring frogs and shells, is a nod to Bernini's work, but Coppedè added his own signature touch: the composition feels like a mashup of different eras. According to a local urban legend, in the summer of 1965, the Beatles jumped into this fountain fully clothed after a gig at the Piper Club. There’s no hard proof, but the story fits the vibe of the place perfectly.
3. 🕷️🕸️The Spider Palace (Palazzo del Ragno) and 🛖🧚♀️The House of the Fairies (Villini delle Fate).
The Spider Palace is easy to spot thanks to the mosaic above the entrance: a spider in a golden web. Here, the spider serves as a symbol of infinity (with its 8 legs and 8 eyes). The facade is decked out with lions, griffins, and horses — looking like something straight out of an Assyrian-Babylonian bestiary.
✨The House of the Fairies is made up of three asymmetrical buildings with turrets, arches, and frescoes. There's a sundial hidden on one of the facades that most people completely miss. The intricate details pay homage to Florence, Venice, and Rome: if you look closely at the balconies, you can spot Romulus and Remus with the she-wolf, winged lions, and other iconic symbols.
Save this for your next trip! 👍⚡️