Piazzas In Rome

Piazza del Campidoglio

After he arrived in Rome, Pope Paul III decided to reshape the Capitoline Hill into a monumental civic piazza; Michelangelo designed the project and the result is one of the most significant contributions made in the history of urban planning. It's importance as a sacred site has died down due to its medieval transformation into the seat of the secular government and headquarters for the Roman guilds. It was in bad shape when Michelangelo took charge of reorganizing it into a new dynamic center of Roman politics. Michelangelo's original design is preserved in engravings from the 1560s by Ètienne Dupèrac. The project began in 1938 and after many interruptions and slow progress was finally completed in the 17th Century.

Piazza Venezia

This famous square houses the enormous "Altare della Patria". The monumental building is built completely with marble decorated with bronze statues and bas reliefs. Altare della Patria is located in the middle of the imposing building, surmounted with the statue of Rome. the grave of the unknown soldier Milite Ignoto was placed at its foot in 1921, in memory of the Italian soldiers who died during the first world war. To the west of the piazza is the Renaissance Palazzo Venezia, which was partially built with materials quarried from the Colosseo. It was used as Mussolini's official residence and he made some of his famous speeches from the balcony. Major exhibitions are now held here.

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is a huge and beautiful piazza, laid out on the ruins of Domitian's stadium. Within the piazza you can find the masterpieces of Bernini like the Fountain of the Four Rivers and the Fountain of the Moor, Calderari's Fountain of Neptune and Borromini's Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone.

Piazza Navona has been for long used as a place for meeting and processions. During daytime life seems to be revolving around the open-air cafes, and people bustling around the square. The atmosphere is cosmopolitan and lively blending history, art, and love for life. Painters and artists sell their works right in the square and you can also have your caricature or painting done. At night the atmosphere becomes imaginative and magical, the Piazza strikes visitors for its harmony and colors, combined with its elegance and charm, people are mesmerized and enjoy themselves more than daytime.

Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo was designed at the beginning of the ninth century by Valadier. It is considered to be a great example of urban planning in the city. In the middle of the square, a huge obelisk, the second largest in Rome is located. It was brought by the Emperor Augustus, and here erected by Fontana during the time of Sisto V.
Close by is the church of St Maria del Popolo. The church was built in the 11th century and was completely restored during the Renaissance. Inside, you can find many masterpieces by Pinturicchio and Caravaggio. It houses the Chigi Chapel designed by Raphael in the Renaissance. Also on the square are twin Churches of St Mary in Montesanto and St Mary of Miracles. Although externally they look very similar, their interiors present many striking differences and are definitely worth a visit.

Piazza di Spagna & Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti

Characteristic to this piazza is the big flight of steps of Trinità dei Monti, built in the 18th century. At the foot of the stairs lies the elegant Fountain of Barcaccia by Pietro Bernini. On the top of the flight of steps you can see an Egyptian obelisk, behind which stands the Church of Santa Trinità dei Monti built in 1495. The flight of stairs has become the theatre of fashion parades in Rome. Atop the flight of steps is the panoramic terrace of Pincio, from which you can enjoy one of the most suggestive views on the city. The area around Piazza di Spagna and the elegant Via Condotti has a number of boutiques by Armani, Versace, Valentino and is famous all over the world.

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