Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo is one of the most iconic and fascinating places in Rome, located at the northern entrance of the historic center. The square, whose name means “people’s square,” has a rich and complex history dating back to antiquity. Originally, the area housed a grove of poplar trees, from which it is thought to derive its name, although some sources suggest that the name may come from “populus,” in reference to the proximity to Nero’s tomb. In the Middle Ages, the square began to take shape as a public space, but it was only during the Renaissance that it began to develop significantly. The construction of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo in 1099, commissioned by Pope Paschal II, was one of the catalysts for the square’s development. The church, located next to the Porta del Popolo, was built on the site where, according to legend, the tomb of the Domizia family stood, which housed Nero’s remains. Over the centuries, the basilica was renovated and embellished, especially in the 15th century, when Pope Sixtus IV commissioned Baccio Pontelli and Andrea Bregno to give it a Renaissance appearance. The current layout of the square is the work of the neoclassical architect Giuseppe Valadier, who in 1816 was tasked with redesigning the area. Valadier transformed Piazza del Popolo from a trapezoidal square to an elliptical square, adding architectural elements that gave the place a new monumentality. In the center of the square, Valadier placed the Flaminio Obelisk, an Egyptian monument 24 meters high brought to Rome by Emperor Augustus and originally located in the Circus Maximus. The obelisk, erected in 1589 at the behest of Pope Sixtus V, dominates the square and represents one of the oldest and most imposing obelisks in Rome. Around the obelisk, Valadier placed four marble lions, from whose mouths water flows into large basins, creating a suggestive and harmonious visual effect. Two almost twin fountains, located on the sides of the square, were also created by Valadier. The Fountain of Neptune, located on the western side, and the Fountain of the Goddess Roma, on the eastern side, add further beauty and symmetry to the place. Another distinctive feature of Piazza del Popolo is the “twin churches,” Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto, located at the beginning of Rome’s “Trident,” formed by Via del Corso, Via del Babuino, and Via di Ripetta. The churches, built between the 17th and 18th centuries at the behest of Pope Alexander VII, were initially designed by Carlo Rainaldi and completed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Carlo Fontana. Although not perfectly identical due to the different sizes of the lots on which they stand, the two churches create a unique scenographic effect, symbol of Roman Baroque. The Porta del Popolo, located on the northern side of the square, is another important landmark. Originally known as Porta Flaminia, the gate is one of the main entrances to the city. The inner facade, renovated by Bernini in 1655 commissioned by Pope Alexander VII, welcomes visitors with a monumental inscription and elegant decoration. The outer facade was instead renovated in 1562 by Nanni di Baccio Bigio, commissioned by Pope Pius IV. In the 19th century, the square was further embellished with the construction of the Pincio terraces, also designed by Valadier. These terraces, accessible via a series of ramps and staircases, offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Rome and are one of the most beloved viewpoints for Romans and tourists.