The former Roman stadium has become one of the most beautiful squares in Rome. Palaces, churches, fountains, benches and an enchanting atmosphere make you fall in love with this stunning square.
Piazza Navona
In Rome you can find many squares - large and very small. Piazza Navona is a rather large oblong space surrounded by ancient Baroque buildings with a length of 270 meters and a width of about 55 meters. The facades of two churches overlook Piazza Navona: St. Agnes and St. Mary. Here you can see three beautiful fountains: Four Rivers, Moor, Neptune. Most of the buildings belong to the Baroque era.
The origin of the name of the square is unknown to historians. No famous character named Navon existed. Many associate the name with the word "agonis" - "competition" (Greek). Until the 4th century, the square served as a stadium. It really hosted sports.
The ruins of the stadium of Domitian
The ruins of the stadium of Domitian, photo Lalupa
The stadium was built in 46 BC It was created by order of Guy Julius Caesar. At first it was a temporary small building - it was called the stadium of Alexander. Later, the stadium of Alexander was improved, decorated with numerous statues. In 85, at the behest of Domitian, the building was reconstructed. Spectators were arranged for 15 thousand people. The remaining area housed trading shops, workshops, entertainment venues and even a brothel.
Basilica of Saint Agnes
Sant Agnese in Agone (Chiesa di Sant'Agnese in Agone)
In 1652, on the site of the brothel was erected The Basilica of Saint Agnes (Italian: Chiesa di Sant'Agnese in Agone - Sant Agnese in Agone; Latin: Sanctae Agnetis in Agone). Inside the church, today, magnificent decoration in the Baroque style with marble bas-reliefs has been preserved. The temple was rebuilt after World War II.
Church of St. Mary
Santa Maria del Sacro Cuore (Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore), photo Natyss
Church of St. Mary - Santa Maria del Sacro Cuore (Italian: Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore or San Giacomo degli Spagnoli) was built in 1480 - under Sixtus IV. Its facade is decorated with a magnificent colonnade. The building stands in the dense surroundings of the houses, so it loses a little in its entertainment. The temple has preserved frescoes by Raphael. In 1656, the church of Mary was restored in the Baroque style.
Former Market Square
Former Market Square
Part of the stadium, where there were places for the lower classes, was built up with houses. Since the 15th century, Piazza Navona has served as an ordinary market square. Carnivals and riders' competitions took place here.
Pamphili Palace
Palazzo Pamphilj and Palazzo Braschi
Under Pope Innocent X, the Palazzo Pamphilj Palace was erected on the square. Today it houses the Brazilian embassy.
Brasky Palace
In the palace of Braschi (Palazzo Braschi) is the Museum of Rome (Museo di Roma), which tells about the medieval and modern life of the city.
Fountains
Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi)
Details
By Piazza Navona conducted the Aqueduct of the Virgin. The presence of a water supply system made it possible to arrange fountains. Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini in 1649 created the legendary Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi), symbolizing the four continents.
Moor Fountain
By that time, the fountains of Moor and Neptune had already been built. They looked pretty simple, and Bernini decided to remake them too. The Fountain of the Moors (Fontana del Moro) was decorated with a figure of the Moor fighting with a dolphin. In the XIX century, a large sculptural group was added to the construction.
Neptune Fountain
The sculptures of the Neptune Fountain (Fontana del Nettuno), which was originally a simple bowl, were created at the end of the 19th century. On this bowl you can see the statue of the God of the seas, who is struggling with the octopus.
Today, Piazza Navona is full of tourists. People are attracted here not only by magnificent fountains and temples, but also by shops. Piazza Navona is a fashionable place for shopping. In the area of the square there are many popular boutiques of young Italian designers. The area is used only for Christmas markets - at other times, market trade is not here.
How to get there
The nearest metro stations on line A are Barberini and Ottaviano, but they are far from the square. It is better to catch a bus and go to the Corso Rinascimento stop.
Bus No. 492 is traveling from Piazza Barberini.
From Metro Line In Colosseo you can take bus 87.
From Termini A line subway station, take bus 70.
There are several more routes passing by Piazza Navona: 30, 70, 81, 87, 130F, 628, C3, No. 6, No. 7 - the Senato or Corso Rinascimento stop.
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