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Visit Rome following 8 XVIIIth century itineraries XVIIIth century Rome in the 10 Books of Giuseppe Vasi - Le Magnificenze di Roma Antica e Moderna The Grand View of Rome by G. Vasi The Environs of Rome: Frascati, Tivoli, Albano and other small towns near Rome A 1781 map of Rome by G. Vasi An 1852 map of Rome by P. Letarouilly Rome seen by a 1905 armchair traveller in the paintings by Alberto Pisa The 14 historical districts of Rome An abridged history of Rome How to spend a peaceful day in Rome Baroque sculptors and their works The coats of arms of the popes in the monuments of Rome Pages on a specific pope Pages complementing the itineraries and the views by Giuseppe Vasi Walks in the Roman countryside and in other towns of Latium following Ferdinand Gregorovius A Directory of links to the Churches of Rome A Directory of links to the Palaces and Villas of Rome A Directory of links to the Other Monuments of Rome A Directory of Baroque Architects with links to their works A Directory of links to Monuments of Ancient Rome A Directory of links to Monuments of Medieval Rome A Directory of links to Monuments of Renaissance A Directory of links to Monuments of the Late Renaissance A list of the most noteworthy Roman Families Directories of fountains, obelisks, museums, etc. Books and guides used for developing this web site An illustrated Glossary of Art Terms Venice and the Levant Roman recollections in Florence A list of Italian towns shown in this web site Venetian Fortresses in Greece Vienna seen by an Italian XVIIIth century traveller A list of foreign towns shown in this web site
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All images © by Roberto Piperno, owner of the domain. Write to romapip@quipo.it. Text edited by Rosamie Moore.
Page revised in December 2010.

Giuseppe Vasi

Sulle magnificenze di Roma Antica e Moderna


Book I - Le Porte e le Mura di Roma - 1747 (The Gates and the Walls of Rome)
Book II - Le Piazze principali con obelischi, colonne ed altri ornamenti - 1752 (The main Squares with obelisks, columns and other embellishments)
Book III - Le Basiliche e Chiese antiche - 1753 (The Basilicas and the Old Churches)
Book IV - I Palazzi e le vie pił celebri - 1754 (The Palaces and the most famous Streets)
Book V - I Ponti e gli edifici sul Tevere - 1754 (The Bridges and the buildings on the Tiber)
Book VI - Le Chiese parrocchiali - 1756 (The Parish Churches)
Book VII - I Conventi e case dei chierici regolari - 1756 (The Friaries)
Book VIII - I Monasterj e conservatori di donne - 1758 (The Nunneries)
Book IX - I Collegi, Spedali e luoghi pii - 1759 (Colleges, Hospitals and other pious buildings)
Book X - Le Ville e giardini pił rimarchevoli - 1761 (The most remarkable Villas and Gardens)


The two verses mean "I read on the face of the Founder of Rome how much greatness is inside (the city)"

The first Book is opened by an etching based on a sketch by Sebastiano Conca. Conca, a painter, was a very influential artist in XVIIIth century Rome. He was twice Principe dell'Accademia di S. Luca, a sort of chairman of the association of the Roman artists. In this role he could help young artists and Vasi in 1747 needed help to establish himself as a reputed etcher. The image shows Romulus, the founder of Rome, talking to the personification of the River Tiber and behind them an ideal view of the city founded by Romulus on the Palatine, the so-called Cittą Quadrata (Square City). This book includes also a simple Map of the Walls of Rome.

After having completed his ten books of etchings Vasi wrote a guide for visiting Rome in eight days and driven by the success of this guide he published in 1765 the Grand View of Rome. In 1781 he completed his work with a bird's eye Map of Rome.