Piazza Navona

Overview

Piazza Navona is the most elegant, theatrical, and romantic square in Rome. Defined by its massive sweeping shape, towering Baroque fountains, and bustling café culture, it represents the perfection of 17th-century Roman urban design.

Highlights

• Fountain of the Four Rivers: Bernini's theatrical, awe-inspiring masterpiece in the center, featuring massive muscular river gods supporting a towering, precarious Egyptian obelisk upon eroded rock.
• Sant'Agnese in Agone: The stunning, curved church designed by Borromini facing the fountain, acting as a massive, theatrical backdrop to the square.
• The Shape: Notice the unique, elongated, oval shape of the massive piazza, distinct from every other square in Rome.

History

The shape exists because the piazza was built onto the footprint of the ancient Stadium of Domitian (1st century AD). For centuries, the ruins hosted a massive market, but in the 17th century, Pope Innocent X (Pamphilj) transformed the entire space into his own massive, gilded private courtyard, commissioning the greatest architects of the era to design the fountains and church.

Visitor Tips

• Atmosphere: It is dominated by street artists, musicians, and massive crowds. The restaurants lining the square are overpriced tourist traps—go one street over to eat.
• Underground: You can actually descend below street level at the northern end of the piazza to see the massive brick ruins of the original Roman stadium.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes.