

Via dei Condotti, also known as Via Condotti, is often referred to as Italy’s Rodeo Drive is a busy and elegant street in the heart of Rome. It is the home of Italy’s most famous fashion houses, including Versace, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana.[1][2] Their flagship boutiques in Rome are located here, showcasing the finest examples of Italian craftsmanship, style, and elegance. In ancient Roman times, it was one of the roads that crossed the Via Flaminia, allowing people who had crossed the Tiber River to reach the Pincio Hill. The street begins at the foot of the Spanish Steps and takes its name from the conduits (condotti) that once carried water to the Baths of Agrippa.[3] Situated in the Tridente district, Via Condotti connects Via del Corso with Piazza di Spagna, and is regarded as one of the most expensive streets in Europe, where luxury shopping blends seamlessly with the city’s timeless history and culture.

Caffè Greco (or Antico Caffè Greco), perhaps the most famous café in Rome was established at Via dei Condotti 86 in 1760, and attracted figures such as Stendhal, Goethe, Byron, Liszt and Keats to have coffee there.[4] Guglielmo Marconi, inventor of radio, lived at Via dei Condotti 11, until his death in 1937.[2]
Being near the Spanish steps, the street is visited by large numbers of tourists. In May 1986, fashion designer Valentino filed suit to close a McDonald's shortly after it opened near the Spanish steps, complaining of "noise and disgusting odours" below his six-story palazzo in the vicinity of Via Condotti.[5] But to the dismay of some Romans, McDonald's overcame the obstacles and is successful.[6]
Via Condotti is a center of fashion shopping in Rome. Dior, Gucci, Valentino, Hermès, Armani, Jimmy Choo, Rolex, Tudor, Patek Philippe, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Celine, Van Cleef & Arpels, Dolce & Gabbana, Max Mara, Alberta Ferretti, Trussardi, Buccellati, Bulgari, Damiani, Tod's, Zegna, Cartier, Montblanc, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton have stores on Via Condotti.[7][8] Others, such as Laura Biagiotti, have their offices there.[9]
Monuments and sights of interest
[edit]
Lining the stylish street and near the Piazza di Spagna and Largo Goldoni are several structures of touristic, historical or monumental interest.
- Santissima Trinità a Via Condotti (18th century)
- Palazzo degli Ansellini (19th century)
- Palazzo Della Porta Negroni Caffarelli (19th century)
- Palazzo Avogadri Neri (17th century)
- Palazzo di Malta (18th century)[10]
- Palazzo Megalotti (18th century)
- Antico Caffè Greco (18th century)
- Palazzo Maruscelli Lepri (17th century)
Transportation
[edit]Via dei Condotti is a pedestrian thoroughfare. Spagna station of the Rome Metro is nearby; the station opened in 1980.
References
[edit]- ^ Redazione (2025-04-14). "GUCCI PRESIDIA IL MAXI URBAN BILLBOARD DI PIAZZA DI SPAGNA | VIA CONDOTTI". Media Key (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-11-10.
- ^ a b "Lepecsételte a csendőrség a legrégebbi római kávéházat". kultura.hu (in Hungarian). 2025-10-09. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
- ^ "Via dei Condotti: What to Know about Rome's Luxury Shopping Avenue". RomeCabs Blog Italy - Italy Private Excursions, Rome Tours, Civitavecchia Transfers. 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
- ^ Darwin Porter; Danforth Prince (December 2008). Frommer's Rome (Antico Caffè Greco). Frommers.com. ISBN 978-0-470-28782-8.
- ^ "Italy: Haute Couture, with Catsup". Time. Time. May 12, 1986. Archived from the original on April 8, 2008. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
- ^ "McDonald's In Italy". LifeInItaly.com. November 11, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
- ^ "Shopping". Italy Travel Guide. 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
- ^ "Via Condotti, Rome, Italy". GreenwichMeanTime.com. December 2, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
- ^ "Biagiotti: the Leonardo Prize? The 'Oscar' for Italian Products". Italtrade.com. May 19, 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
- ^ Palazzo Malta