Via del Babuino

Via del Babuino is a street in the historic centre of Rome (Italy), located in the rione Campo Marzio.

In 1525, works commissioned by Pope Clement VII gave the street a new aspect and a new name: Via Clementina, in honor of its creator.

In this occasion a statue of Silenus, an ancient classical deity related to springs and fountains, was also placed on the street.

The statues was compared to a monkey, and was thus nicknamed Babuino (Romanesco for "Baboon"); this name soon came to indicate the whole street.

A plate remembers the twinning ratified on October 16, 2002 between Via del Babuino and Madison Avenue in New York City.