Via del Corso

Overview

Slicing directly and perfectly straight through the chaotic heart of the historical center, Via del Corso is undeniably Rome's premier, massively bustling high-street shopping artery. It flawlessly connects the sweeping Piazza Venezia directly to the grand Piazza del Popolo in a massive 1.5-kilometre straight line.

Highlights

• The Shopping: The massively long street is entirely packed with global fast-fashion flagships (Zara, H&M), massive cosmetic stores, and massive Italian department stores (Rinascente).
• Galleria Alberto Sordi: A stunningly beautiful, highly elegant early 20th-century covered shopping arcade featuring a breathtaking stained-glass roof and beautiful mosaic floors located roughly halfway down the street.
• The Churches: Despite the heavy commercialism, the street is dotted with quietly spectacular baroque churches, notably San Marcello al Corso and the stunning twin churches at Piazza del Popolo.

History

The street perfectly follows the exact ancient Roman route of the Via Flaminia. In the 15th century, the deeply scandalous Borgia Pope (Alexander VI) significantly widened it specifically to host the wildly violent, massive, riderless Barbary horse races during the Roman Carnival (the word corso literally means 'course' or 'race'). The incredibly dangerous races ran aggressively down the entire length of the street until they were heavily banned in 1882 following a massive fatal accident.

Visitor Tips

• The Crowds: The central section of the massive street is heavily pedestrianized and becomes overwhelmingly, wildly packed with massive crowds of teenagers and tourists on Saturday afternoons.