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The Hotel Majestic is the first hotel that was built on the via Veneto. It was
inaugurated in 1889.
Previous to the construction of the via Veneto, this neighbourhood was known
as the Villa Ludovisi. The building where the hotel was to be created is part
of the first belvedere of the new street cut through the Cappucini friars’ garden.
The view on Piazza Barberini was achieved by carving the height overlooked by
the conventual church of Saint Isidoro and by the Villa Boncompagni. Thus, the
designer Gaetano Koch, known as the prince of architects of those times, was forced
to give the building that unique “piano-like” layout which characterises its plan.
The architectural design and the modern features of the Hotel Majestic reveal
its intent to stand out, from the start, as the leader in this town’s accommodation
of that time.
The hotels fame and fortune reached its peak during the Twenties, when high-society
members used to choose this hotel for their stay in Rome. At The Majestic, royal
prince & princess and show biz stars could find luxurious details together
with the comforts of progress in addition to the thrill of being in a town of
ancient civilisation.
Real antique objects decorated rooms and suites, while lounges showed the richest
among tapestries and furniture. The hotel could also be rightfully proud of its
main halls. Artist Domenico Bruschi from Perugia frescoed the largest, located
on the 1st floor, and named after musician Giuseppe Verdi, in the year 1900. Allegorical
scenes depict the glory of the ancient Rome and that of the Italian royal family,
La Casa Savoia.
In this hotel and in alternative to common hotel cuisine of those days, the Chefs
who revealed their preference for local cookery and wines played a remarkable
role. All those local specialities were however presented with the most refined
display, on fine linen, china, crystals and tableware.
After the Sixties, the hotel became the scenery of Fellini’s “Dolce Vita” for
moviegoers all over the world.
In 1990, after an accurate restoration and technical upgrades, the hotel regained
all of its past splendour. It is at that time that began the contemporary history
of the Hotel Majestic Roma. |
