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Visit Rome following 8 XVIIIth century itineraries XVIIIth century Rome in the 10 Books of Giuseppe Vasi - Le Magnificenze di Roma Antica e Moderna The Grand View of Rome by G. Vasi The Environs of Rome: Frascati, Tivoli, Albano and other small towns near Rome A 1781 map of Rome by G. Vasi An 1852 map of Rome by P. Letarouilly Rome seen by a 1905 armchair traveller in the paintings by Alberto Pisa The 14 historical districts of Rome An abridged history of Rome How to spend a peaceful day in Rome Baroque sculptors and their works The coats of arms of the popes in the monuments of Rome Pages on a specific pope Pages complementing the itineraries and the views by Giuseppe Vasi Walks in the Roman countryside and in other towns of Latium following Ferdinand Gregorovius A Directory of links to the Churches of Rome A Directory of links to the Palaces and Villas of Rome A Directory of links to the Other Monuments of Rome A Directory of Baroque Architects with links to their works A Directory of links to Monuments of Ancient Rome A Directory of links to Monuments of Medieval Rome A Directory of links to Monuments of Renaissance A Directory of links to Monuments of the Late Renaissance A list of the most noteworthy Roman Families Directories of fountains, obelisks, museums, etc. Books and guides used for developing this web site An illustrated Glossary of Art Terms Venice and the Levant Roman recollections in Florence A list of Italian towns shown in this web site Venetian Fortresses in Greece Vienna seen by an Italian XVIIIth century traveller A list of foreign towns shown in this web site
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All images © by Roberto Piperno, owner of the domain. Write to romapip@quipo.it. Text edited by Rosamie Moore.

To the Italian visitors of my web site

ROME
in the footsteps of an XVIIIth century traveller

Traffic


"..the aggressive and fast driving in the city makes it one of the most dangerous places for the pedestrian." (Preface to Rome and environs - Blue Guide - 1978). The traffic of Rome used to leave a strong impression on many foreign travellers: the recent expansion of pedestrian areas has in part restored the pleasure of a walk through Rome. But how did the traffic fare in Rome in the XVIIIth century? the etchings by Giuseppe Vasi provide an answer to the question.

Plate 144
A narrow escape in Via dell'Umiltą

"Aggressive" driving was common also in the XVIIIth century. The image shows a coach coming down at some speed from the Quirinal hill, maybe carrying an important member of the papal court.

Plate 163
A road accident in Piazza S. Ignazio

Road accidents are known to attract a large TV audience: viewing somebody else's car damaged seems to please many people. Maybe this sentiment was known by Vasi who showed the sudden failure of the axle of an elegant coach.

Plate 13
Long distance coach leaving Rome from Porta S. Pancrazio

Romagna solatia, dolce paese,
cui regnarono Guidi and Malatesta,
cui tenne pure il Passator Cortese,
re della strada, re della foresta.

Giovanni Pascoli		Sunny Romagna, sweet country
which was ruled by Guidi e Malatesta
which was taken also by il Passator Cortese
king of the road, king of the forest.

Giovanni Pascoli

The poor security of Papal State roads was a recurring topic in the accounts of the foreigners who visited Rome. However some of the brigands were seen as a sort of Robin Hood and Stefano Pelloni who terrorized many towns in Romagna in the XIXth century was called il Passator Cortese (the Fair Ferryman) for his purported courtesy during the robberies. This explains why the long distance coaches leaving Rome were manned with several servants and had a man riding the first horse to immediately notice a possible threat.

Plate 37 and 85a
Luxury carriages promenading in Piazza alli Monti and in Ponte S. Angelo

A luxury carriage was no doubt a status symbol. Princess Altieri was known for going to mass at il Gesł in her carriage, although Palazzo Altieri was just opposite the church. The rich enjoyed showing off on their decorated carriages. President de Brosses who visited Rome in 1739 could not understand why the Romans liked so much to promenade inside Rome in a queue of carriages, in spite of the heat and the dust. Notwithstanding this comment he immediately hired with his three friends two coaches and was pretty proud of parading in Via del Corso (lettre XXXVII).

Plate 26
....and in Piazza Navona

In summer there was a variation to the usual promenade. Piazza Navona was flooded to obtain a sort of pool where the wheels of the carriages provided welcome showers.

various
Other contributors to the Roman traffic

The etchings by Vasi shows other contributors to the Roman traffic. Sedan-chairs in my mind are associated with secret meetings, although this sedan-chair near Spedale di S. Spirito was most likely carrying a sick person. While Via del Corso was reserved for the rich, the streets of more commercial quarters (the image is taken from the view of S. Apollonia in Trastevere) were busy with carriages loaded with food and other commodities. Very few gentlemen used to ride a horse to move around in Rome. The examples shown by Vasi often concern soldiers (see plate 172 Spedale di S. Giovanni in Laterano).


See also Leisure in XVIIIth century Rome and Trade in XVIIIth century Rome.