Rome- Monti Vintage Heaven

entrance to Mercatomonti 

When you move house, you clear out the old stuff, right?  

Unfortunately I made the mistake of  getting rid of a  half dozen handbags by stylist Roberta da Camerino  back in the  70s and now these handbags  sell for   400 euro each on ebay.

Another mistake was to rottamare my  32 yr. old  FIAT 500 (Roma D9 license plate) just before  the laws were changed, allowing them on the road as  Auto d’epoca or  vintage cars. 

So this time, I decided  to study up before releasing  a houseful  of inherited vintage clothing, furs and antiques. 

The first stop for vintage in Rome is  Monti, the area of Rome written about by  colleague Elizabeth Minchilli . 

 Mercato Monti, located in a hotel conference hall, on Via Leonina (Metro stop Cavour)  runs every weekend   (except in full summer) and hosts  about 30 sellers  with tables and  racks of quality artisans’ work, vintage clothing and objects.

Francesca's   design jewellery

Most of the sellers are Roman while others hail  from Naples and  Aquila. Tall willowy  Lisa from  Amsterdam specializes in long, floral dresses while  Francesca  creates unique jewelery and heart themed objects of art.

Vintagedalisa  is   on Facebook 

Melissa drives up from Naples each weekend with a cache of vintage clothing for men and women. Luxury brand shoes and bags  run  from  80  to 100 euro with sconti and bargaining being  part of the fun. 

Melissa's  vintage shoes 

My Rome based friends have suggested   other vintage places  in Rome, so next week  I’ll check on Borghetto Flaminio. 

80s jacket from Rome boutique 

Astrakhan  fur  coat 

 Another source to study  is "Lo Scopriocccasioni"  or  "Designer Bargains in Italy" guidebooks that have listed addresses for spending less for fashion in Italy since 1992.  

never worn Church loafers size  37 

Meanwhile my collection of 80s  boutique fashion is beginning to dwindle, thanks to fashion conscious friends who want to own a piece of the 1980s.  Feel free to share with friends who love vintage. More   photos of vintage fashion are available.  

Living within ancient walls : Borromini Monastery in Trastevere

 Donna Camilla Savelli Hotel    Rome City Centre, Trastevere, Rome

Designed by Baroque architect Borromini, the Donna Camilla Savelli is a former monastery in Rome's popular Trastevere area. It offers a garden, elegant and sober rooms, and free Wi-Fi in the lobby.

This is the website description of  a 4 star hotel located at the foot of  the Janiculum hill in Rome’s Trastevere area . 

For many lucky American students studying in Rome during the 1980s   it was  home  during their semester  study  abroad program.  

Borromini designed the facade of the monastery 

The female students were “cloistered” on the first floor while the men were relegated to the second floor corridor. There were communal bathrooms back then and the  ancient heating system was seldom  lukewarm. To survive the chill, the students bundled up with thick sweaters or  sat in the sunshine of the courtyard garden where roses bloomed  even in December.

The  atmosphere at the convent was often similar to  a Fellini film set : Gina, the  grumpy portinaia,  elderly nuns gliding  silently along white and black marble hallways,  meals served in the frescoed  refectory, cavernous kitchens hung with bright copper pots  and  sitting rooms furnished  with antiques including  Pope Pius IX’s  armchair.

copper pots in the  convent kitchen 

marble fountain
near the refectory 

The sisters of the religious order were grateful for the money which arrived from America and used it to  repair  parts of the roof. 

the convent today - an expensive  4 star hotel

Here are some  of the original  letters with the price list  for bed and breakfast....a far cry from what today's clients pay to stay in the luxurious modern rooms of the former monastery. 

   

How times have changed!  Notice that IVA tax  was only 9 or 10%. 

What could you buy for the equivalent of   26 or 28,000 lire today? (approximately  14-16 euro) 

 

The convent  was founded  by Donna Camilla  Savelli (related to the Ruspoli-Marescotti family)  and  has had an interesting history culminating in its new use as a luxury hotel. 

During World War II many  Roman Jewish families found refuge here and the sisters distributed  bread  and food to the local population from the monastery kitchens.   

Please  leave a comment about your living experiences in Rome  as a student . 

What  were your  accomodations like ? 

Check out articles on Study Abroad today in Viterbo area  and  books  about the area  on my website ..