100 Via Sistina

100 Via Sistina lies between Piazza Barberini and the Spanish Steps. During his first four-month stay in the Eternal City, around the turn of 1866, Grieg rented a room here. A poor district at the time, many artists, writers and composers lived in this area, which was known as the Strangers’ Quarter. Grieg arrived at 100 Via Sistina on the morning of 11 December 1865 and that same day, immediately overcome with enthusiasm, he set off on a long walk, during which he took in two famous Roman cafes, Caffè Greco and Caffè Roma, and also saw Raphael’s frescos and the Laocoön Group. In the evening, he walked along the Spanish Steps and climbed Monte Pincio. The next day, he borrowed an upright piano for his room and made the acquaintance of Niels Ravnkilde, a Danish composer who soon became his close friend, and also Henrik Ibsen.