Amazing Vintage Photographs of Rome From the Late 19th Century

The city of Rome originated as a village of the Latini in the 8th century BC. It was initially ruled by kings, but the Roman Republic was established in 509 BC. During the 5th century BC, Rome gained regional dominance in Latium, and eventually the entire Italian peninsula by the 3rd century BC. The population of the city at this point is estimated at about 300,000 people.

With the Punic Wars, Rome gained dominance over the Mediterranean, displacing Hellenistic Greece as the dominant regional power for the next five centuries. The Roman Empire was established under Octavian in 27 BC, after Julius Caesar’s conquest of Gaul, followed by a period of civil war. The city of Rome now surpassed a population of one million, likely the first city in history to reach this size (compared to world population of about 200–300 million at the time).

We found an amazing collection of old photos depicting the streets of the “Eternal City” Rome, from the late 19th Century.

Via del Corso, Palazzetto Sciarra and the Arch of Carbognano before their demolition to make space for via Minghetti, c. 1886.

Vicolo del Mortaro before the opening of via del Tritone, with Oratorio dell’Angelo Custode on the left, 1888-1900.

G. Primoli, View of piazza Venezia towards via IV Novembre, c. 1890.

Piazza Colonna, in the background Palazzo Piombino, c. 1887.

The Carnival floats parade on via del Corso, near piazza Colonna; on the right, Palazzo dei Magazzini Bocconi, 1887.

G. Primoli, Quirinale, crowds during the German royal family's visit, c. 1900.

The “great palace” from via Cernaia's side, end of the 19th century.

The Acqua Felice in Piazza San Bernardo, c. 1890.

Umberto I tunnel under construction, c. 1900.

Piazza Barberini, end of the 19th century.

Breach of Porta Pia, September 21, 1870.

Trevi Fountain, c. 1870.

Umberto I tunnel, c. 1900s.

Trevi Fountain, in the background the church of SS. Vincent and Anastasius, c. 1890.

Facade of the old station Termini almost completed, c. 1873.

Via XX Settembre at the church of S. Carlino, end of the 19th century.

Via del Corso with Warehouses Bocconi on the right, c. 1890.

Via Nazionale with the Quirinale Hotel on the left, 1900.

(Photos via Museo di Roma in Trastevere)