Rome piazzas & fountains
A number of beautiful piazzas and fountains can be found throughout Rome. These piazzas are gathering places for both locals and tourists. Symbolizing the city's rich history, the fountains serve as a reminder of its former splendor.
Below is a list of the most popular piazzas and fountains in Rome.
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Piazza del Popolo
Piazza del Popolo serves as a primary entrance to the city at the northern gate of the ancient city. In the early 19th century, architect Giuseppe Valadier created the neoclassical square design.
An ancient Egyptian obelisk stands at the center of the piazza. It was initially from Heliopolis and brought to Rome by Augustus in 10 BC. It is known as the Flaminian Obelisk and stands 24 meters high (or 36 meters, including the base and cross on top). Pope Sixtus V moved the monument from the Circus Maximus to the Piazza del Popolo in the 16th century.
At the southern end of the piazza, you will find the nearly identical-looking churches of Santa Maria in Montesanto (to the left when facing the piazza from the Via del Corso) and Santa Maria dei Miracoli (to the right). It is commonly referred to as the "twin" churches, although there are subtle differences between them.
Located on the eastern side of Piazza del Popolo, the Pincian Hill offers panoramic views of the square and much of Rome from its terrace.
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona represents the best Baroque Roman architecture and art in Rome's historic center. This space was initially used as the Domitian Stadium for athletic contests around the 1st century AD. As a result of this past, it has an elongated shape. Over the centuries, the stadium has fallen out of use, and buildings have been constructed around its perimeter. In the 17th century, it evolved into the city square (piazza) we know today.
The piazza features three magnificent fountains, the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1651, the Fontana del Moro designed by Giacomo della Porta and later, Bernini added the statue of the Moor and the Fontana del Nettuno designed by Della Porta.
Many artists, such as Bernini, lived near Piazza Navona during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Today, the piazza is often filled with street performers, painters, and street artists.
Piazza Navona is a lively place both during the day and at night. Restaurants, gelaterias, and cafes surround the area. The combination of its historical importance, architectural beauty, and modern-day vibrancy makes it a must-visit for anyone traveling to Rome.
Piazza della Rotonda
One of Rome's most iconic squares, the Piazza della Rotonda is home to the Pantheon, one of the most well preserved and influential buildings from ancient Rome. It was initially built by Marcus Agrippa in 27 BC but was rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in 126 AD after fires damaged it.
The Fontana del Pantheon stands in the center of the piazza, a fountain with an obelisk commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII in 1575 and designed by Giacomo Della Porta.
The piazza is surrounded by a combination of medieval and Renaissance buildings, creating a picturesque setting. Many of the buildings around Pantheon Square have been converted into hotels, cafés, and restaurants where visitors can sit and enjoy the magnificent façade of the temple.
Trevi fountain
The Trevi Fountain dates back to ancient Roman times. The site marks the terminus of one of the ancient Roman aqueducts (the Aqua Virgo), which was constructed in 19 BC and provided water to the thermal baths in the city.
Even though the site of the fountain has been significant for millennia, the current grand baroque design we associate with the Trevi Fountain was commissioned in the 18th century. It was designed by architect Nicola Salvi in 1732 and completed by Giuseppe Pannini in 1762. The fountain is approximately 26.3 meters (86 feet) high and 49.15 meters (161.3 feet) wide.
There is a statue representing Oceanus, the titan god of the sea in ancient Greek religion, riding a shell-shaped chariot drawn by two sea horses, one calm and one wild, symbolizing the changing moods of the sea. Tritons guide the two sea horses. Various other sculptures adorn the fountain, each representing something different, such as abundance or health.
A famous tradition associated with the Trevi Fountain is known as the coin toss. It is said that if you throw a coin into the fountain with your right hand, you will return to Rome. The second coin promises a new romance, and the third guarantees marriage. Every week, thousands of euros in coins are collected and donated to Caritas, a Catholic charity, which uses the funds to provide services to needy families in Rome.
Campo de Fiori
In the heart of the city's historical center, the Campo de Fiori is a bustling marketplace by day and a lively nightlife hub at night. Historically, this area has had a rich history since it was an undeveloped area where the Theater of Pompey was in ancient times.
The square is strategically located, making it easy for visitors to walk to other famous sites in Rome. The Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and the Roman Forum are all within walking distance.
Giordano Bruno's statue is one of the most iconic landmarks in Campo de Fiori. Bruno was a philosopher and astronomer who was tried for heresy by the Roman Catholic Church due to his pantheistic beliefs and belief in an infinite universe. In 1600, he was burned at the stake in the square. Symbolizing resistance to religious persecution, the statue faces the Vatican.
Campo de Fiori is one of Rome's oldest markets and has been held continuously since 1869. Various goods are available, including fresh produce, spices, flowers, and other items.
Piazza Venezia
Piazza Venezia is located at the foot of Capitoline Hill and is a major traffic intersection in the heart of the historic city. This area has several busy streets, including Via del Corso, Via Cesare Battisti, and Via di San Marco.
One of Rome's most prominent and controversial buildings, the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument (Altare della Patria), dominates the piazza. It was built to honor Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy. Often referred to as "Il Vittoriano," the structure is easily recognizable for its grand staircases, colossal Corinthian columns, and a towering statue of Victor Emmanuel.
Capitoline Hill, just behind Piazza Venezia, was redesigned by Michelangelo during the Renaissance. His designs included the Piazza del Campidoglio and the "Cordonata" stairway leading up the hill.
Piazza di Spagna
Piazza di Spagna, or "Spanish Square," is one of Rome's most renowned squares and a popular tourist destination. This square is named after the Palazzo di Spagna, which houses the Embassy of Spain in the Holy See.
Spanish Steps is the most iconic feature of the square. Located between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and the Piazza Trinità dei Monti at the top, the 135-step staircase climbs a steep slope. It's a popular spot for tourists and locals, whether for sitting, people-watching, or photographing.
The Fountain of the Old Boat can be found at the foot of the Spanish Steps. This Baroque-style fountain was designed by Pietro Bernini and his son, the more famous Gian Lorenzo Bernini; the fountain represents a sinking ship, which, according to legend, landed at the spot following a flood of the River Tiber.
On the right corner of the steps is the house where the Romantic poet John Keats lived and died in 1821. The museum today displays memorabilia, manuscripts, and other items related to his life and the life of his friend, Percy Bysshe Shelley.
A French church, Trinità dei Monti, dominates the top of the steps and is called Sanctissima Trinità dei Monti. You should check it out for its architecture and its views.