“You have discovered the scent of life…
so tell me, what does it taste like?"
Who is Guenda?
A home-style lounge run exclusively by women—Domiziana Terzoni and Paola Massaro—who have combined their professional skills to create something unique with a team focused on engaging female resources, the true soul of the hospitality industry. The Guenda project is founded on the belief in spreading the culture and pleasure of food, drink, entertainment, and relaxation in all its forms. A venue at the Circus Maximus that changes with the time of day, a place that seamlessly blends gastronomic traditions with modern social needs. It all revolves around one concept: because you're tired of the same old places.
Where is Guenda?
Guenda is a venue in a cave dating back to 46 BC, opening onto Via dei Cerchi in front of the Circus Maximus, the heart of a crossroads for tourists strolling through the wonders of Imperial Rome. It's a must-see between the Palatine and Aventine Hills for concerts, cultural events, multimedia activities, and archaeological visits to the Forum Boarium or the Colosseum Park. This area is a perfect example of this process: just consider the recent openings of luxury properties such as the Alda Fendi Foundation, Ad Hoc, Boscolo, and Marriott. Furthermore, the ongoing discovery and restoration of the original overlapping structures of the "shops" established in the 16th century was deemed an added value of strategic importance and treated accordingly.
What is Guenda like?
Guenda captures the uniqueness of Rome, offering a contrast between exposed, millennia-old stone ceilings and Corten iron panels, acetate mirrors, designer-treated partitions and floors, architectural lighting with 96 warm light fixtures, and a mix of designer and vintage furnishings. The venue seats 76 inside and 20 outside, arranged in the area facing the entrance as a lounge overlooking the Circus Maximus. The kitchen is always open from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. The Bernabei Group, a leading wholesaler of wines and spirits through Italy's most popular e-commerce site, embraced the project and recognized its potential, becoming a sponsor of their products and providing support in designing the venue and its offerings.
Why Guenda?
We didn't use English terms; there's too much of that in Rome. We wanted a short, catchy, evocative name, easy to remember and pronounce, that would convey a sense of elegance and exclusivity. So we chose Guenda for our venue at the Circus Maximus, nestled within the original walls of a cave dating back to 46 BC, because giving it an identity means telling a story. Short for the Celtic name Guendalina, meaning "white, shining," like you, we're a bit vain and always strive to be the center of attention. We decided to change the rules of the game by launching a virtuous trend and bringing food & beverage to the forefront of Rome.
