Hi, I’m Gianluca.
I studied cultural anthropology, and I’ve always been fascinated by the different ways people live, move, and experience a place.
Rome is not only my city – it’s the environment I love observing, understanding, and sharing through these small stories.
Together with my wife Connie, we host travellers in our small hotel near the Vatican, where we enjoy meeting people from all over the world and exchanging perspectives – just as I do here in the blog.
If you ever feel like saying hello while exploring Rome, you’ll find us on our terrace as well, where every morning we serve breakfast with a view.
Gianluca
Nathaniel Hawthorne, the renowned American author, visited Rome during his Grand Tour of Europe in 1858. Deeply fascinated by the city’s historical and artistic treasures, Hawthorne used Rome as the backdrop for his novel “The Marble Faun” (1860), which explores themes of morality, innocence, and guilt. In this novel, Hawthorne captures the mysterious charm of Rome, with its ruins, art, and ancient landmarks serving as metaphors for deeper human struggles.
Hawthorne’s Roman Inspiration: The Marble Faun
Set in the heart of Rome, “The Marble Faun” reflects Hawthorne’s experiences of the city. Key Roman locations, such as the Capitoline Hill, Forum, Colosseum, and Villa Borghese, are woven into the narrative, with the Faun of Praxiteles at the Capitoline Museums playing a pivotal role in the plot. The novel’s characters, inspired by both myth and reality, grapple with the moral and spiritual dilemmas Hawthorne associated with Rome’s dual nature—simultaneously beautiful and decayed.
The Capitoline Hill and the Faun of Praxiteles
At the center of the novel is the famous Faun of Praxiteles, which Hawthorne saw in the Capitoline Museums. The faun becomes a symbol of the blending of pagan and Christian influences in Roman history. Visiting the Capitoline Hill today, you can see the same statue that inspired Hawthorne’s mystical narrative, making it a perfect stop for literature lovers.
Other Writers Influenced by Rome
Hawthorne was not alone in finding inspiration in Rome. Many writers, particularly during the 19th century, were drawn to the city’s romantic atmosphere:
- Henry James visited Rome frequently, and his novel “Daisy Miller” features scenes set in the city, exploring the interactions between Americans and European culture.
- Mark Twain wrote about his travels in Rome in “The Innocents Abroad”, often with a humorous and critical eye on the grandiosity of the city’s ancient ruins.
- George Eliot also wrote about Rome’s transformative effect in her novel “Romola”, set during the Italian Renaissance.
Exploring Hawthorne’s Rome from QuodLibet
For guests staying at QuodLibet Bed and Breakfast, the locations featured in “The Marble Faun” are easily accessible. A visit to the Capitoline Museums, a stroll through the Roman Forum, or an afternoon in the Villa Borghese Gardens will allow you to experience the very places that captivated Hawthorne and other great literary minds.
The Legacy of Hawthorne in Rome
Hawthorne’s exploration of Rome’s art, architecture, and history continues to resonate in the literary world. His connection to the city highlights how Rome has served as a muse for writers across centuries, bridging the gap between ancient history and modern storytelling.
