6. This place, that was sacred to the artists of the early 20th century, maintains a stunning interior with
gilts, ornamental lamps, ceiling paintings, mixed with contemporary furnishings.
8. Located in a privileged position under the arcades of the Procuratie Nuove in Piazza San Marco, at
the CaffĂš Florian you can still feel the Venetian tradition, while as well being the meeting point
of several worlds.
15. At present, with a more eclectic frequency, the âCentral Kaffeehausâ is still a place
that attracts philosophers, thinkers and writers. Historically, it is said that here was
where Trotsky had planned the Russian Revolution.
22. The tile panel sits above
another one, artistically
carved in wood.
The taps in the bathroom
were cast in the form of
swan wings in flight position
and the faucet waterspout
coincides with the beak of
the bird in its outside.
The restoration of the
complex added a new touch
of class to this place,
maintaining the aura of the
past and unforgettable
atmosphere. There are not
many places like the
Imperial in Prague.
31. In its Art Nouveau style in the symmetry of the curved wooden frames, in the large mirrors interspersed
with metal worked chandeliers that delimit the walls with a clever optical play of amplitude, retains its
entire former splendor and invites to revive the fascinating Belle Ăpoque.
.
33. Founded in 1894, the Confeitaria Colombo holds still today its original style: art nouveau
of l9l3. There are 4 floors with 3 spacious lounges decorated with eight Belgian beveled mirrors,
measuring 3 x 6 m and weighing 1 œ tons each, all framed in rosewood.
34. Its balconies are in Italian marble and the furniture of all rooms exquisite. Five cupboards
house early 20th Century china and crystal goblets with gold embroidery.
35. Culminating it all, on the last floor
the ceiling is a skylight in colorful
mosaics bathing the restaurant with
natural light.
Among its distinguished visitors,
detach King Albert of Belgium in
l920, and Queen Elizabeth of
England in l968.
Besides Olavo Bilac, were also
regulars at Colombo: Jose do
Patrocinio, Oscar Lopez, Luis
Murat, Placido Jr., Pedro Rabelo,
Manoel Carlos, Father Severiano
and Lima Barreto.
From the round of presidents of the
Republic stand out Getulio Vargas
and Juscelino Kubitschek.
39. The Gambrinusâ interior decoration was entrusted to the best painters of the Neapolitan school,
and today still you can admire its frescoes, as well as floral friezes announcing the Art Nouveau.
42. The Tortoni was obligatory reference for anyone in the twentieth century Argentine culture. Jorge Luis
Borges and Carlos Gardel, the big names that Argentina gave the world, were regulars. It was said that
Borges and his companions were poor and spent little, but gave notoriety to the home.
45. In one of the streets of greater luxury and most famous of Rome - Via dei Condotti â since 250 years
thereâs the CaffĂš Greco, that has served coffee to many of the historical figures of Europe, and
remains a refuge for todayâs intellectuals and politicians, in a traditional and striking atmosphere.
46. Under decoration based on mirrors, romantic paintings, golden, wood, marble and epoch
furnishings that deliver a unique charm to each of the small rooms that make up its interior, became
regular visitors to the CaffĂš Greco, Stendhal, Goethe, Byron Liszt, Keats, Ibsen, Hans Christian
Andersen, among many others.
48. Images: All drawn from the Net with credits to their respective authors.
Music: Die Fledermaus (âThe Bat") - an operetta composed by Johann Strauss
â (edited).
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Seiji Ozawa
Creation, research, compilation and formatting:
Delza Dias Ferreira
new e-mail delzadfer@gmail.com
English version: Flavio Musa de Freitas GuimarĂŁes
www.culturesandart.com SĂŁo Paulo, IX - 2011