How often does a visitor to Rome drift towards some landmark and wonder who created it? Why? What was their story? This fascinating book provides the answers. At once a history and a guide, it divides Rome into the districts dominated by the fabulously rich families of the Popes: the Colonna, della Rovere, Farnese, Borghese, Barberini and others.

In each case we learn their story - powerful, bloody and vivid - with all the scandals and intrigues as well as their relationships with artists like Bernini and Michelangelo.

As we stroll through Rome''s history - either literally or in the imagination - we discover it afreshFamous sites like the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and St Peter''s take on new significance as we watch the city rise from cramped medieval streets to become a glorious panorama of piazzas and palaces, fountains, towers and domes.

Format Häftad Omfång 432 sidor Språk Engelska Förlag Vintage Publishing Utgivningsdatum 2006-05-04 ISBN 9781844134090