The Corso: Rome's Ancient Race and Modern Grandeur

The Story of Italy: Rome, Renaissance, and the Birth of Modern Europe — Fexingo History · Jun 3, 2026 · 12m · transcript

In 1466, Pope Paul II banned horse racing through Rome's streets — but the corso, the wild race of riderless horses, continued for centuries. This episode tells the story of the Via del Corso, the ancient Via Lata that connected the Capitoline to the Porta del Popolo. We explore how the corso evolved from a brutal Roman spectacle into a Renaissance carnival, how Michelangelo designed the piazza where it ended, and how the street became the spine of papal Rome. We also look at the transformation of the corso into the elegant promenade of the 19th century, lined with palaces, churches, and…