Arco dei Banchi

Overview

Tucked away in a unassuming alley near the Ponte Sant'Angelo, the Arco dei Banchi is a atmospheric, historic Renaissance archway dripping with the dark, chaotic banking history of Papal Rome.

Highlights

• The Archway: A stunningly deep, shadowed Renaissance arch piercing straight through a massive palace block, connecting Via del Banco di Santo Spirito to the narrow Via Paola.
• The Starry Ceiling: Look straight up when walking through—the curved stone vault is painted to resemble a massive, brilliant midnight blue sky studded with bright golden stars.
• The Flood Marker: the, terrifying highlight is the ancient marble plaque embedded in the wall marking the devastating flood of November 1530, showing how impossibly high the Tiber River crashed through the city.

History

The narrow street leading to the arch was, known as the 'Wall Street of the Renaissance' (the Canale di Ponte). It was dominated by powerful, cutthroat Florentine bankers (like the Chigi family) who set up tiny stalls (banchi) to exchange currencies for the massive floods of international pilgrims arriving for the Vatican jubilees.

Visitor Tips

• The Vibe: It is totally ignored by the massive tourist crowds blindly rushing strictly toward St. Peter's just across the river. It offers a brilliant, romantic 30-second detour.
• Duration: 5–10 minutes.