Uncover the hidden history of Rome’s most powerful and fascinating women—queens, courtesans, and rulers who shaped the Eternal City in ways history tried to forget.
History remembers Rome as a city of emperors and popes, but behind the scenes, powerful women shaped its destiny in ways that were just as bold, brilliant, and scandalous. From ambitious empresses and fearless queens to seductive courtesans and ruthless powerbrokers, their influence can still be felt in the streets of the Eternal City—if you know where to look. On this walking tour, we’ll explore the lives of the women who ruled from the shadows and the spotlight, leaving behind legacies of ambition, artistry, and intrigue.
We begin at Piazza del Popolo, where a runaway queen arrived in Rome to reinvent herself, before walking in the footsteps of a woman who nearly ruled the empire and another who ruled the Vatican from behind closed doors. We’ll uncover stories of scandal, survival, and sheer determination, from the courtesan who outwitted popes and princes to the artist who refused to be silenced in a man’s world. As we make our way through Rome’s historic heart, we’ll visit hidden corners, grand palaces, and iconic landmarks, bringing these forgotten women back to life.
Though Rome has always been officially ruled by men, its history is full of women who defied expectations and seized power in their own way. Even today, change continues—only in the last decade has Rome had its first female mayor and Italy its first female prime minister. Join us to discover the untold stories of Rome’s queens and courtesans—because history is never just written by men.
Church of “Santa Maria Del Popolo” (Piazza del Popolo)
10:30am
