Here, at the elegant tables of Caffè Greco, sat the likes of Adam Mickiewicz, Stefan Żeromski, Henryk Sienkiewicz, Władysław Reymont, and Cyprian Norwid. The Spanish Steps are a must-see on any tour of the Eternal City. Just a short walk away, you’ll find a perfect spot to enjoy an espresso while discovering Polish cultural touches left behind by our poets and Nobel laureates.

Nestled near Piazza di Spagna, at 86 Via Condotti, lies the historic Caffè Greco, a legendary café serving patrons since 1760. This iconic venue was a favorite haunt not just for Roman society but for the global artistic community. Among its most devoted patrons, however, were Germans and Poles. For the latter, it was more than just a café—it was a cultural hub where they could read Polish newspapers, sip wine, and gather as part of the Polish Circle.

If you ask one of the waiters, they’ll lead you to the small “Omnibus” room, a cozy space where Polish visitors often gather. On the left wall hangs an intriguing list of “notable Poles who frequented Caffè Greco,” accompanied by their portraits. The names include literary and artistic giants such as Kraszewski, Żeromski, Mickiewicz, Reymont, Parandowski, Słowacki, Count Krasiński, Matejko, Brodzki, Norwid, Aleksander Gierymski, Sienkiewicz, Rygier, Weloński, Siemiradzki, Madeyski, Przerwa-Tetmajer, Okuń, and Stankiewicz.

But the list feels incomplete until you notice, on the opposite wall, a framed photograph of Czesław Miłosz alongside his poem “Caffè Greco,” translated into Italian. It’s a poignant reminder of the café’s lasting connection to Polish culture, a bridge between past and present, where the whispers of great minds still seem to linger.

So, as you sip your espresso in this timeless spot, take a moment to reflect on its storied history. For Polish visitors, it’s more than just a café—it’s a piece of home in the heart of Rome.

Family News Service

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