Close your eyes and imagine Rome without the chaos of the city center, without the crowds of tourists, without the maddening traffic. Open them: you’re in the Prati neighborhood, an oasis of elegance and tranquility in the heart of the Eternal City. Here, where our B&B Ad Maiora stands, the streets are wide and tree-lined, the buildings tell stories of discreet nobility, and the atmosphere envelops you with the grace of a Rome few truly know.
Prati isn’t just a neighborhood: it’s a way of experiencing Rome. It’s the place where true Romans choose to live when they want to combine the convenience of modern life with the charm of ancient history. It’s the corner of the capital where every stroll becomes an architectural lesson, every coffee a break of authentic Roman style.
Between history and architecture: when Prati became the neighborhood of kings
The golden age of Umbertino
Stroll along Via Ottaviano or Via Cola di Rienzo and you’ll find yourself catapulted into the Italian Belle Époque. These magnificent Umbertine-style buildings, built between 1870 and 1900, were born from the dream of a modern Rome, the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. The architects of the time wanted to create a neighborhood that could rival the boulevards of Paris and the elegant streets of Vienna.
Each building tells a story: facades decorated with gargoyles, wrought-iron balconies resembling embroidery, internal courtyards that open like secret treasure chests. The arched windows, the elaborate cornices, the travertine details: every element was designed to amaze, to convey timeless elegance.
The Art Nouveau Villas: Small Hidden Gems
Wander down the quieter streets—Via Germanico, Via Properzio, Via Tacito—and you’ll discover the Art Nouveau villas that captivated artists and intellectuals. These small buildings, often hidden behind wrought-iron gates and secret gardens, represent the pinnacle of early twentieth-century Italian taste. The floral decorations that run along the facades, the stained-glass windows, the bow windows that jut out like small verandas: every detail whispers stories of an era when beauty was considered as essential as air.
Via Cola di Rienzo: Where Rome Shops Like a Queen
The Living Room of Roman Shopping
Via Cola di Rienzo is more than just a shopping street: it’s the beating heart of Roman elegance. Here, among historic boutiques and international brands, you’ll experience a unique atmosphere. You won’t find the hustle and bustle of Via del Corso or the tourist rush of Via Condotti, but rather an authentic shopping experience, where shopkeepers welcome you with smiles and the expertise of those who love their craft.
The shop windows follow one another like paintings in a gallery: quality clothing, artisanal leather goods, bookstores where you can lose yourself in the books, perfumeries that house rare fragrances. Each shop has its own story, many have been run by the same families for generations.
Historic cafés: Where time slows down
Stop at Caffè Palombini, an institution since 1919, and watch Rome pass by. Lawyers, doctors, artists from the nearby Auditorium, and elegant mothers stop here after shopping at the Mercato Trionfale. Cappuccino is served with that Roman courtesy that is never servile, never excessive, but genuinely warm.
The Mercato Trionfale: the vibrant heart of the neighborhood
A journey through authentic flavors
The Nuovo Mercato Trionfale is much more than a market: it’s a sensory experience that will take you to the true heart of Roman life. Stepping inside means immersing yourself in a kaleidoscope of colors, aromas, and voices that tell the story of authentic Rome.
Here you’ll find Signora Maria, who has been selling the best fish in Rome for forty years; Giuliano’s stall where the tomatoes still taste of earth and sun; and Franco’s butcher shop where the meat is selected as if it were for the family. Each stall is a little world, each vendor a guardian of centuries-old gastronomic traditions.
Underground Parking: A Service Worthy of a European Capital
Don’t miss the detail that makes this market unique: underground parking. Where in other cities you’d have traffic and parking problems, here you can easily arrive by car, park, do your shopping, and return home stress-free. It’s this kind of service that makes Prati a neighborhood where life is good, not just a place to visit.
Neighborhood Life: Where Romans Really Live
The Daily Rituals of Roman Life
Rise early and watch the neighborhood come to life. At 7:00 in the morning, the cafes fill with the aroma of freshly baked croissants and the steam from the coffee machines. Romans in Prati have their own rituals: the trusted newsagent, the bar where the barista knows everyone’s tastes, the pharmacy where you get advice like from a family friend.
Secret Gardens and Green Spaces
Behind the elegant facades lie courtyards and gardens that are small oases of peace. Villa Borghese is just a stone’s throw away, but even here in the neighborhood you’ll find unexpected green spaces: the small park in Piazza Mazzini, the communal gardens glimpsed through the open gates, the trees shading the streets, creating natural tunnels of cool air.
A perfect itinerary: Prati in half a day
Starting from Ad Maiora B&B
Morning (9:00-12:00):
Breakfast at Caffè Palombini (5 minutes from the B&B): cappuccino and croissant to start like a Roman
Walk along Via Ottaviano: admire the Umbertine buildings and the atmosphere of the neighborhood as it awakens
Shopping on Via Cola di Rienzo: explore boutiques and historic bookstores
Mercato Trionfale: immerse yourself in the flavors and aromas of tradition
Afternoon (3:00-6:00 PM):
Via Properzio and the Art Nouveau villas: discover hidden architectural gems
Aperitivo at Il Sorpasso: the neighborhood’s trendiest bar overlooking Via Properzio
Walk towards the Vatican: cross the neighborhood to Viale Vaticano to admire the Leonine Walls at sunset
Why Romans choose Prati
Quality of life
Living in Prati means Waking up in a Rome on a human scale. Traffic flows smoothly, public transportation is efficient, and services are quality. This is the Rome that works, where you can enjoy the beauty of the city without experiencing its stress.
The strategic location
From the Prati neighborhood, you can reach everything: the Vatican on foot, the historic center by metro, and the Castelli Romani area by car without traffic jams. It’s the perfect spot for those who want Rome on their doorstep but also the ability to escape when needed.
Matteo and Luciana’s advice
“After years of welcoming guests from all over the world, we’ve learned that those who stay in Prati experience a different Rome. It’s not the Rome of crowded museums or chaotic streets. It’s the real Rome, where you can have breakfast in the same café frequented by Fellini, buy bread from the bakery that’s been feeding the neighborhood for three generations, and enjoy an aperitif while gazing at buildings that are works of art. Our guests often tell us, ‘We didn’t know this Rome existed.’ Well, we’re lucky enough to live here every day.”
Prati isn’t just where you stay: it’s the Rome you’ll carry in your heart!
