Piazza Socrate gets a Makeover. Too bad.

Piazza Socrate has been remodeled. Unfortunately

One of Rome's lesser known piazzas, Socrate juts out on the south flank of Monte Mario, at the confluence of via Fedro and via Cornelio Nipote. It has a commanding view of Vatican City. 

Dianne, enjoying the view, 2018

It's always been a scruffy, inelegant place.

Piazza Socrate, as it appeared 6 years ago

But its elevation, and its location in proximity to St. Peter's, made it a place to stop and look. It was also, so we heard and (likely) observed--a hangout for gay men. The large tree at the edge of the piazza, at the edge of a steep embankment, was a meeting place (below). 

St. Peter's, far right. 2018

That tree is now essentially inaccessible, as is the promontory, now situated behind a substantial fence. All that remains of the piazza--a small piece of isolated green space surrounded by something resembling a traffic circle--is both unappealing and highly public. 

The new fence

No one would ever meet in that space. One can imagine a car now and then pulling over to check out the view. But that's about it.

The traffic circle

With its sharp drop-off near the tree, the pizza's old configuration was not the safest, and likely that's why the city spent thousands to reconfigure it. And maybe the neighbors complained about gay men. As we said at the top. Too bad.

Bill