Piazza del Popolo Rome
Popolo square
Piazza del Popolo Rome is one of the most famous Piazza’s in Rome. The origin of the name is uncertain and no one knows for sure why it’s called like this. “Popolo” means people, so the literal translation would be “people’s square. Historically though, “popolo” derives from the poplars (Latin:populus) after which the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo, in the northeast corner of the piazza, takes its name.
For many years Piazza del Popolo were traveler’s first view of Rome upon arrival. Traveler’s had to walk through the “Porta Flaminia” (Flaminia gate) of ancient Rome, and now called the “Porta del Popolo”. This was the starting point of the “Via Flaminia”, a famous road and the most important route if you wanted to travel to the north of Italy those days. Also, for centuries, Piazza del Popolo was a place for public executions, fairs, carnivals, games and competitions!
Three main important streets go off Piazza del Popolo (called Trident); Via del Corso, Via del Babuino and Via di Ripetta.
On Via del Corso you’ll mostly find the main non expensive shopping stores. If you follow Via di Ripetta you’ll bump right into the “Mausoleo di Augustino” and “l'Ara Pacis”. Via del Babuino offers some more of the exclusive shops like Channel, Moschino and some famous Italian designer stores!
The two twin Churches, Santa Maria in Montesanto (1675) and Santa Maria dei Miracoli (1678), where built by Alessandro VII. Sadly they had finished with construction only after the Pope had died. Another church off of Piazza del Popolo is Santa Maria del Popolo.
An Egyptian obelisk of Ramesses II from Heliopolis stands in the center of the Piazza. The obelisk, known as the “obelisco Flaminio” or the “Popolo Obelisk”, is the second oldest and one of the tallest obelisks in Rome.
Many beautiful and elaborated fountains are found in Piazza del Popolo, like the Fontana di Nettuno and Fontana dell’Obelisco.
An artistic treasure house, built on the burial site of Emperor Nero, holds several major art collections, including two magnificent paintings done by Caravaggio!
Today’s layout of Piazza del Popolo was designed in neoclassical style by the architect Giuseppe Valadier. He demolished the Piazza to form two semicircles, replacing the original trapezoidal square centered on the Via Flaminia. He also built a road which leads up to the balustraded overlook from the Pincio (the Pincian Hill of ancient Rome). From the Pincio you have access to the Villa Borghese gardens and you have the best overlook on Piazza del Popolo!
-
- The fountain shows Neptune god of the seas
-
- An Egyptian obelisk of Ramesses II
-
- Santa Maria dei Miracoli church facing Piazza del Popolo in Rome
-
- Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli churches
-
- “Porta del Popolo” is a gate of the Aurelian wall
-
- Fountain Rome between the Tiber and Anio
-
- Obelisk of Ramses II
-
- View up to the Pincio
-
- Porta del Popolo is a gate of the Aurelian Walls in Rome
-
- Leonine dell’Obelisco fountain
-
- Street leading from Piazza del Popolo to the Pincio
-
- Santa Maria dei Miracoli church
Have a look at the Pincio when you climb up from Piazza del Popolo
-
- The best view
-
- Looking down from Pincio Hill to Piazza del Popolo
-
- Tourist taking pictures of Piazza del Popolo from the top
-
- Big square on Pincio hill
-
- Snack bar on top of Pincio hill right when you reach the top when walking up he stairs from Piazza del Popolo
-
- Souvenir stand on Pincio hill – Piazza del Popolo
-
- Segway rentals on Pincio hill right when you reach the top of the stairs from Piazza del Popolo
Once you arrived at the Pincio you could easily hop over to Villa Borghese Park and also visit the Borghese Gallery - Piazzale Museo Borghese, 5 - 00197 Rome. You'll be able to admire the Cardinal Scipione’s 17th-century collection!
What You can expect to see when visiting Piazza del Popolo in Rome:
In these days Piazza del Popolo is a place where many exhibitions are held. Behind the walls of Piazza del Popolo, to your right when you're standing in front of the twin churches, you can find a scooter (starting at euro 50,00) and bike rental (3.00 euro/hour). In front of the twin churches to your left when facing them, you'll find a taxi stand. In the afternoon, you can find a Michael Jackson imitator, political encounters or speeches. I took a picture of two fascinating artists when I passed that day! Maybe you can figure it out…I sure couldn’t!
-
- Rent a Vespa
-
- Bike rentals near Piazza del Popolo
-
- Rent a scooter/bike place at Piazza del Popolo
-
- Artists from all over the world exhibiting on Piazza del Popolo
-
- Taxi stand next to the twin churches
-
- Many artists are on Piazza del Popolo
