Did you that Johann Wolfgang von Goethe lived 2 years in Rome between 1786 and 1788? The German poet wrote a book about his experiences during that time; the book is called “Italienische Reise” (Italian Journey). After a visit to the Pantheon and St Peters he writes “The Pantheon, so great within and without, has overwhelmed me with admiration. St Peter’s has made me realize that Art, like Nature, can abolish all standards of measurement.”

The apartment where Goethe used to live on Via del Corso, in the Spanish Steps area, is today a lesser known museum in Rome dedicated to his Italian journey. La Casa di Goethe is well worth a visit – it contains Goethe’s sketches, precious first editions of Goethe’s books and Andy Warhol’s Goethe portrait (1982).

Casa di Goethe
Via del Corso, 18,
00186 Rome (map location)

Daily from 10.00-18.00. Admission until 17.30. Closed on Mondays.

A statue of the poet can be found in the Villa Borghese. It was given to the city by the German emperor William II to symbolise the deep bonds between Rome and Germany.

Recommended Rome Tour: Rome Angels & Demons Half-Day Tour

Holiday Velvet specializes in Rome vacation rentals and Spanish Steps apartments.