Bulgari and Rome: A Notebook

A "cool" guide to Rome, with an emotional tour of the city's key historical sites and monuments revisited through the inspiration behind Bvlgari's jewelry.

Since 1884, the majestic beauty of the Eternal City and its rich archaeological, artistic, and cultural heritage have represented an inexhaustible source of inspiration for Bvlgari. Yesterday as today, Rome's monuments and artistic details are gracefully evoked in the brand's jewelry creations. For example, the design of the iconic B-zero1 ring was inspired by the Colosseum, the ultimate symbol of the city, and likewise the recurrent octagonal geometries watch dial refers to the coffered ceiling of the Basilica of Maxentius.

This handy, pocket-sized volume takes us on an unprecedented historical, artistic, and emotional tour of the city. In addition to an actual guide to the monuments, the narration is enriched by short stories by some of the best-known Roman authors from the world of contemporary Italian literature, inspired by the most iconic locations in the city.

The book is further enhanced by contributions from figures linked to the city by birth or by adoption, including renowned names from fashion, cinema, sport, and music.

The Bvlgari jewelry and the places in Rome that inspired it are photographed in stunning images with artistic direction by Jan Králícek.

Jan Králícek studied cultural anthropology and media at Charles University in Prague. He is now creative director of Vogue Czechoslovakia and fashion editor-at-large for VoguePortugal and GQ Portugal. Costantino D'Orazio is an art historian and curator. He was resident curator at MACRO (Contemporary Art Museum of Rome) from 2014-2019, and is curator of public art projects in Villa Borghese Park, Rome. He collaborates with LUISS University and Link Campus and is the author of a number of books dedicated to Rome and italian art.