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Rome This Week: Free Parking Trap, De Niro Screening, and a Fresh Facade

In short
If you are in Rome on Monday July 13, Robert De Niro will introduce a free screening of Bertolucci's Novecento in Piazza San Cosimato at 21:15. Be aware that in the Prati neighborhood free white-line parking spots can be repainted blue without warning, and drivers get fined. Also, the restored facades of Palazzo Farnese are fully visible for the first time in five years.
Curated by Joan Sanz Updated:
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Watch De Niro Introduce a Film Masterpiece in Trastevere for Free

Hollywood is coming to Rome's Trastevere district on Monday July 13. Robert De Niro will fly in to present a restored print of Bernardo Bertolucci's Novecento, exactly 50 years after its release. The screening is part of the Il Cinema in Piazza festival and happens in Piazza San Cosimato starting at 21:15. It is free to attend. Get there early. The piazza fills up fast with locals and visitors. This is a rare chance to see a great actor introduce a film he starred in. Read the full details from Wanted in Rome.

The Parking Spot That Cost People Money Overnight

Rome has a new trap for drivers. On the night of July 5, ATAC (the city transport company) repainted white free parking lines to blue paid parking lines in via Catullo, in the Prati neighborhood. Drivers who parked legally on white lines woke up to find their cars on blue lines. Then they got fined. One local dentist got a ticket for 41 EUR. ATAC admitted "excessive zeal" but the fines still stand. My advice: if you park overnight on white lines anywhere in Rome, check the paint color again in the morning. Snap a photo of the lines before you leave the car. The city does not give warnings before repainting. Read the full story from Wanted in Rome.

Palazzo Farnese: Finally Unwrapped After Five Years

Scaffolding has dropped from the last section of Palazzo Farnese. The French Embassy and the École française de Rome completed a five year restoration of the building's facades and roofs. The result is clean, sharp, and Renaissance-correct. The palazzo sits right on Piazza Farnese, a short walk from Campo de' Fiori. You can now see the original travertine windows and the restored coat of arms. The building is not open to the public for general visits, but you can admire it from the piazza. Go at sunset for the best light on the stone. Find out more from Wanted in Rome.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a ticket for the De Niro screening in Trastevere?
No, the screening is free and open to the public. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to get a good spot in Piazza San Cosimato.
Can I visit inside Palazzo Farnese now that the scaffolding is gone?
No. The building houses the French Embassy and the École française de Rome. It is not open for general tourism. You can only admire the facades from the outside.
What should I do if I get a parking fine from the overnight repainting in Prati?
You can contest it by showing evidence that the lines were white when you parked. Take photos of the parking spot and your ticket stub. However, ATAC has admitted the mistake but has not cancelled the fines automatically.

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