Bramante Cloister

I have come to realize that I do not work particular well in my room in the morning, it is necessary for me have a destination in the morning to ensure I'm out of bed at a productive hour, just rolling out of bed and sitting at my desk does not do it. In light of that I set out looking for places to work that would be comfortable and have free internet access. In a google search for free wifi in Rome I came across an Italian girl's blog that said she liked to work in the Bramante cloister, attached to Santa Maria della Pace. She described it as "paradiso di wifi", wifi paradise. I was intrigued.

I have been in the cloister a time or two for the exhibitions they run there occasionally (most recently a great show on Caesar that run early in the spring). I don't know how I managed to miss the bookshop/cafeteria there, but I did. Set on the second level of the small square cloister they have a row of higher tables along one, perfect for a quick coffee standing up (pictured below), and along two other sides lower table with three chairs each.

Donato Bramante was from a small town Urbino and spent the early years of his career in Milan. Driven from Milan in 1499 by the invading French army he made his way to Rome. There is talents were quickly recognized by Cardinal della Rovere, who would later became Pope Julius II, a powerful friend to have. So powerful in fact that in 1503 Bramante was appointed lead architect for the new St. Peter's. However, before that, he made his mark in a few hidden corners of Rome. Certainly a student of Vitruvius, Bramante used harmonic proportions to give his buildings an elegant simplicity. The lower row of pillars have engaged Ionic columns set on simple plinths. The arches in the lower arcade lead the eye up to the spaces above, with columns that rest directly above the ones below, but are now of the Corinthian order, a natural progression. In the second level dividing the space a slender Corinthian columns. The solid pillars and appear to continue through two levels ground the whole structure while the slim columns in the second level give a sense of weightlessness to the upper level.

While the tables on the second level do offer a quiet spot to work, unfortunately the internet access is very slow, so not the best place if you need internet speed, but it is pretty deserted in the morning if you're looking for a spot to enjoy the paper or a book. An espresso is 1.50 (same price if you sit), fruit juices run 3 euros, salads and sandwiches start at 8 euros and they also have cocktails for 9 euros, beer and wine start at 3.50 a glass and go up from there.