Historic Italian café, established in 1760, has served as a gathering spot for artists like Goethe, Liszt, and Schopenhauer, it being the city's oldest bar.
Antico Caffè Greco, Established in 1760 on Via dei Condotti in Rome, is not only the city's oldest café but also a significant cultural landmark[1][5]. This historic café has been a favourite haunt for many renowned writers, poets, and artists, including Stendhal, Goethe, Byron, Nietzsche, and Casanova[5].
The café's interior is a testament to its rich history, with Renaissance-style oil paintings adorning the walls, creating an ambiance that evokes Old Europe[1]. Caffè Greco is a living museum, reflecting centuries of artistic influence and intellectual dialogue, bridging the past and present.
Caffè Greco's significance lies especially in its role as a cultural salon, where ideas and artistic movements were discussed and shaped by some of Europe’s foremost cultural figures[1][5]. This has cemented its reputation not just as a coffeehouse but as a landmark of Rome’s artistic and literary history.
The café is home to over 300 works of art, making it the world's largest private gallery open to the public[2]. Notable figures such as Stendhal, Keats, Byron, Thorvaldsen, Gogol, Wagner, Freud, Orson Welles, Pasolini, and Sartre have visited Caffè Greco[3].
In the "red room" and the "omnibus" room, Liszt, Gogol, and Casanova once gathered for lively discussions on art, music, and philosophy[4]. Caffè Greco, like the Deux Magots or Café de Flore in Paris, became one of the most iconic literary cafés of its time[5].
The Gruppo dei Romanisti, a circle of intellectuals passionate about Rome's history, still holds its monthly meetings at Caffè Greco[6]. Today, visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee at the counter for 2.50 € or at one of the tables for 7 €, while soaking in the café's unique atmosphere[7].
In summary:
| Aspect | Details | |---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Founded | 1760 | | Location | Via dei Condotti, Rome | | Notable Patrons | Stendhal, Goethe, Byron, Nietzsche, Casanova, Mark Twain | | Cultural Role | Intellectual and artistic meeting place, cultural salon | | Ambiance | Renaissance-style paintings, Old Europe vibe | | Significance | Oldest bar in Rome with strong literary and artistic connections | | Art Collection | Over 300 works of art, making it the world's largest private gallery open to the public |
Thus, Antico Caffè Greco is much more than a café; it is a symbol of Rome’s enduring artistic and literary legacy[1][5][3].
[1] Antico Caffè Greco [2] The Art of Caffè Greco [3] Notable Patrons of Caffè Greco [4] Famous Rooms in Caffè Greco [5] Caffè Greco, a Living Museum [6] Gruppo dei Romanisti [7] Prices at Caffè Greco
- During its in-flights, Antico Caffè Greco has been a fashion-and-beauty hotspot for various notable artists and poets, like Casanova, who graced its spaces with their presence.
- Food-and-drink connoisseurs, both past and present, can revel in the unique atmosphere at Caffè Greco, where they can sip a cup of coffee while surrounded by centuries of artistic influence.
- For travelers seeking a home-and-garden inspired setting amidst Rome's artistic and literary history, Antico Caffè Greco offers an unparalleled opportunity to delve into the diverse lifestyle of its patrons, past and present.
