G. Rocca Cafe at Pantheon: Meeting Irving, Rome

Joe and Ann meet at the Spanish Steps while Ann enjoys gelato, and they decide to spend a carefree holiday together, indulging in simple pleasures like sitting at sidewalk cafes, admiring shop windows, and strolling in the rain. To fulfill Ann’s wish of visiting a cafe, Joe takes her to G. Rocca Café, located next to the Pantheon, a historic Roman monument from the 2nd century AD.

At Rocca’s, Ann experiences a moment of newfound freedom—sipping her first glass of champagne for breakfast and smoking her first cigarette. It is also where she meets photographer Irving Radovich, Joe’s colleague, who stumbles upon them and has Joe masterfully pour champagne over his pants. The café setting adds a charming touch to Ann’s transformation, as she sports her new fashionable haircut and embraces a more adventurous spirit.

Although, in reality, there never was any Rocca Café there, its façade today remains intact. Specially installed for filming at the northwest corner of the Pantheon, this spot laid the foundation for the prosperity of all the nearby cafes which have been serving Prosecco for everyone ever since.

As for the actual location, it has been transformed into a trendy Italian fashion store, particularly known for its denim collection. Despite its transformation, the new establishment still carries the echoes of Ann and Joe’s time together, making it a nostalgic landmark for film lovers. Visitors can still peek inside the shop for a touch of the past, where the magic of their cinematic moment lingers.