Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona captivates with Bernini's Fountain of Four Rivers and a lively atmosphere. It's perfect for people-watching and soaking in Roman vibrancy. While the beauty is undeniable, the tourist traps and overpriced cafes slightly detract. A must-see, but be mindful of your spending. Still, a fantastic experience!

Very close walking distance to the Pantheon and a top attraction in Rome. Beautiful Large foundation with a large Obelisk in the middle. A place to relax, enjoy the atmosphere and people watching. A must visit.

Piazza Navona is the perfect spot to unwind after a long day of exploring Rome! This stunning Renaissance-era square is surrounded by beautiful buildings, features breathtaking fountains, and offers a wide range of restaurants and pubs. Despite the crowds, the piazza's spacious design makes it easy to find a spot to relax. You'll also find talented street artists sketching portraits and live music adding to the lively atmosphere. A truly special place to soak up the Roman charm and unwind.

Very large square not far from the Pantheon. Beautiful art and architecture is all around. Quickly became one of my favorite places to relax, grab some lunch and take in the sites. Lots of food options all around. Great for people watching.

Another beautiful piazza in Rome worth visiting. Church and fountains to see along with people watching. Many tourist shops and restaurants as well.

This is a really cool place to go and have dinner relax hang out. Listen to music. It’s very fun. Take your pic of any restaurant in the area. They’re all good. Have a drink, relax, romantic.

A cozy and very atmospheric square. A quiet spot for a short break or a walk — like a little corner of peace in the heart of the city. Beautiful architecture all around, neat buildings, and a pleasant vibe. Highly recommend visiting if you want to experience a less touristy side of Rome.

A lovely place to visit and see the fountains to take photos. Many restaurants and places to eat or stop for coffee. It was lively without being too crowded. There were two churches to go in to look around and light candles..both beautiful inside.

I recently spent a weekend at Piazza Navona in Rome, and it was nothing short of magical. Stepping into this iconic square, you're immediately surrounded by centuries of history and art. The piazza itself, built on the site of the ancient Stadium of Domitian, holds onto its original shape, reminding you of its past while immersing you in the vibrant life of the city today. The beauty of this place is unparalleled. The three stunning fountains, including Bernini's masterpiece, the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, with its towering obelisk, create a serene atmosphere. The energy is lively yet calm, as street performers, artists, and small cafés add to the charm. Sitting at one of the outdoor cafés and simply people-watching was a highlight of my trip. The real crown jewel of Piazza Navona is the breathtaking Sant'Agnese in Agone. This beautiful baroque cathedral, named after Saint Agnes, was designed by some of Italy's greatest architects, including Borromini. Stepping inside, I was awestruck by its grand dome and intricate details that make it a work of art in itself. Piazza Navona gets a Yelp 5 star and is a must-see if you're in Rome. Whether you're there to marvel at the history, enjoy a relaxing afternoon, or admire the stunning Sant'Agnese in Agone, it's an experience that stays with you long after you leave.

Piazza Navona is a public open space in Rome, which was built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian. The ancient Romans went there to watch the agones, and hence it was known as Circus Agonalis. There's current renovation going on, all three fountains have been covered.

Today was my first night in Rome & we had dinner in the area. Saw on Maps that Piazza Navona was only a block away and figured why not do a quick little sight seeing before heading back to the hotel. Unfortunately, I did not get to see Piazza Navona in all of its glory. I figured they were doing restoration but wasn't sure until I looked it up online. Piazza Navona, and Rome as a city in general, is going through a "monumental facelift" for Roman Catholic's Holy Year, 2025. Kind of a bummer I was not able to actually see the fountains here but Sant'Agnese in Agone still looked magnificent.

Oh, how I just LOVED roaming around Rome both during the day and at night, when visiting for the 1st time (09/29/2023-10/4/2023) from Austin, Texas (United States). With so many historic sculptures, landmarks, piazzas (public square), basilicas, and many other significant sights all around the city of Rome, it really is like an outdoor museum. Exploring Rome at night is something I highly recommend everyone to do because not only will you most likely avoid the crowds and heat (if visiting in the warmer months) but seeing the sculptures and monuments all lit up at night, really is something special! My hubby and I got to experience Piazza Navona at night (on 10/03/2023, around 1am) while on a walking tour (Nocturnal Walking Tour through Airbnb experiences- Eliphas was a great tour guide!). We literally had it all to ourselves. We really enjoyed learning the history of Piazza Navona. There are 3 famous fountains located in Piazza Navona - Fountain of the Four Rivers (built by Bernini between 1647 and 1651(my favorite!) and also the Fountain of Neptune. (I can't remember the 3rd one-sorry!) See the pics and videos included in this review of the famous and stunning Fountain of the Four Rivers. Hope this info helps! Till next time, Rebecca visiting from Austin, TX

Piazza Navona is a beautiful open space in Rome - the Piazza is built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian which dates back to the first century AD. It is also home to the embassy of Brazil and the Fiumi Fountain. The square is quite pretty, it's a nice place to sit back for a little while if you can avoid peak times to get a seat on the benches and avoid the crowds. There are a couple of businesses within the piazza, but they are mostly tourist traps so I would say avoid spending your money here, as you're going to be paying a premium when the quality isn't that good. It's a fairly nice place to visit while in Rome, to admire the architecture and vibes, and the central location within walking distance of most of the city's other attractions (It's right around the corner from the Pantheon) makes it somewhere that you'll be passing along anyway.

This was on our list of 'if we have time and it is convenient' places on our Rome itinerary. We ended up stopping by briefly on our walk from the Pantheon to Castel Sant'Angelo, as it is on the way. Basically this is a large rectangular plaza with a huge Bernini fountain in the center. A large domed church is situated in the center of one of the long axes. We visited between 3:30 and 4 p.m. in November, so the lighting in the plaza was not optimal - the sun had sunk low enough so that the large buildings flanking the piazza were casting shadows. If I returned here, i'd probably try to come around midday for better lighting. The fountain offers opportunities for good photos. The plaza was populated but not super-crowded when we went. Most of the people congregated around the fountain. There appeared to be a lot of shops around the perimeter but we didn't really linger to check them out. I would not plan an itinerary around seeing this spot, but if you're close by it is definitely worth at least a short visit.

One of the biggest and famous plaza in Rome. During the brief time I spent at Piazza Navona in Rome, I was impressed by its architectural beauty and lively atmosphere. The imposing buildings, artistic fountains, and bustling street life created an authentic experience of Rome's vibrant culture. I hope to have the opportunity to return in the future to further explore this area and discover all its fascinating aspects. The restaurants are pretty pricey (of course you have to pay the view) and offer sub par food quality. But all in all worth a visit. Fun Fact: Great history behind the square what used to be a race track!

Beautiful piazza with amazing fountains and architecture. Live this place for dinner! Multiple restaurants to chose from: they all have the same or very similar menus, this go by the vibe and prices.

The Piazza Navona is my favorite spot to meet up with friends while in Rome, to take a break from the much smaller and crowded piazzas and massive crowds at the historical landmarks nearby (Trevi Fountain, I'm talking to you!) This very large square is lined with restaurants, cafes and gelato shops with tables out front, perfect for people watching and enjoying the sunshine.. I've eaten here and had gelato from several cafes over the years. The food is not as expensive as one would expect from a well know tourist area and it was quite good. My last visit to Rome, we arrived at the Piazza Navona at 9:30 am while tourists were still at their hotels and the square was practically empty. It was the perfect opportunity to take in the beauty of the three distinct fountains and the sherbet colored buildings with window boxes of flowers and trailing bougainvillea. The peacefulness lasted about 30 minutes then the crowds started to arrive and the hustle and bustle took over. We came back later for dinner and by then dozens of street artists had set up their easels and were painting and offering up their art for sale. Most scenes are of the piazza itself or other famous landmarks of Rome or other parts of Italy. There were several in my group and each of us bought art. I selected a small 8x10 water color of Rome with the dome if St. Peter's Basilica in the backdrop. Another friend bought a large oil painting of a romantic street at night, ivy trailing off the golden buildings dappled by the light of street lamps. Another fell in love with a city scene and the umbrella pines that are everywhere in Rome. Most artists set a price and don't barter but somehow one of my persistent friends was able to get $20 euros deducted. Me? I paid full price and feel my piece of art is worth every euro and then some! My favorite fountain is the largest one, the Fontana Dei Quattro Fiumi, the Fountain of the Four Rivers sculpted by the incredibly talented Bernini. Every time I see it, I stand mesmerized by the enormity, detail and beauty. The fountain is topped by the Egyptian Obelisk of Domitian from the Circus of Maxentius which adds height and really makes this fountain stand out. At the end of the square is the Fontana del Moro, designed by Giancomo della Porta, and features 4 tritons sculpted in 1575. Bernini added the famous sculpture of a Moor wrestling a dolphin in 1673. The nearby Fountain of Neptune was also sculpted by Giancomo della Porta. As with much if Rome, the Piazza Navona takes in a different beauty at dusk and then dark when the fountains and buildings are illuminated. It's beautiful any time of the day and night and a must see while in Rome.

What can you say about the Italian Piazzas. They have fountains and churches. They also have plenty of areas to shop and eat. This Piazza does not disappoint.

Beautiful piazza. So nice to visit in the quiet hours of early morning when there were no crowds. The Fontana Dei Quattro Fiumi, also known as the Fountain of the Four Rivers, by Bernini is so beautiful. It is topped by the Egyptian Obelisk of Domitian from the Circus of Maxentius. The Fontana del Moro was designed by Giancomo della Porta who designed many of the fountains that provided clean water to Rome via the ancient Roman aqueducts. The fountain features four tritons sculpted in 1575. A hundred years later in 1673, Bernini added a sculpture of a Moor wrestling with a dolphin. The Fountain of Neptune was also sculpted by della Porta. Perfect way to start the day exploring Rome.

There are countless piazzas in Rome; many of them have works by great artists; some have nice restaurants; yet others have cute shops and boutiques. Piazza Navona has them all! The Fountain of Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi) by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (same guy who did the St Peter's square and boatloads of other great architectural works and sculptures) is a main attraction and iconic photo spot. This one alone is worth the trip! The plaza is huge and, like many other things in Rome, almost 2000 years old. It was built around 86 AD as a stadium for games and contests. Today there are many shops, from souvenir outlets to boutiques, as well as pop up stands like in carnivals and fairs. We came around Xmas and it was ver festive! Only a few minutes walk from the Pantheon so it's quite easy to hit both landmarks in a short period of time. And if you're a good Walker, you can go west, cross the famous Tiber River (Fiume Tevere) and visit the Vatican. Lots of people will be with you at the piazza, however. So be careful with your belongings- we were warned by a few locals about thefts. Also many beggars... and jugglers, singers, etc. good place to people watch.

Echoing what others have said - go on a weekday morning for an almost private experience of the piazza. You'll be able to take nearly unobstructed photographs. We also got to witness a group of young nuns praying. We aren't religious and don't speak much Italian but it was such a peaceful and beautiful site.

Beautiful piazza with delicious restaurants around and some cool shops! Make sure to check out Gran Cafe Marcel next to the museum. He offers very beautifully done tote bags that are better quality than the corny stands you see walking around! The museum also has a cool book store with unique finds. This is a great central place to visit, take pictures, and find unique souvenirs.

Cool water structure. Worth a stop. Sculptures are very detail and intricte. One of the sculptures you should see out of all of the ones in the city.

We make it a point to get to Piazza Navona on every trip to Rome. This is a great place for a passeggiata serale (evening walk), apertivi at one of the restaurants on the Piazza, or having a picnic lunch with some wine. There are three Bernini fountains in the Piazza, the most dramatic of which is Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) in the center in front of the Baroque church Sant'Agnese in Agone.

Bello posto. Di tutti nella città di Roma -- il più migliore. I love this place. I first saw it when I was a student in Architecture School. My dear friend Maureen took me to it early in the year and it was a bliss-filled revelation. Here was a public plaza (piazza) that integrated the best of all worlds: great urban design, a major church by Borromini, the fountain by his arch-rival Giancarlo Bernini, a continuous row of similarly scaled buildings that enclose this incomparable place. Anyone who goes to Rome ends up at Piazza Navona eventually. I can't imagine anyone not finding out about it. My advice: drink it in, and if possible at various times of the day. The transformation over the hours is magic. And maybe you can have something to eat at Tre Scalini (ristorante).

This public space in the last years of 15th century, significant example of Baroque Roman architecture & art during the pontificate of Innocent X, who reigned from 1644 until 1655, and whose family palace, the Palazzo Pamphili, faced the piazza. It features sculptures; in the center is the 1651 Fountain of the Four Rivers topped by the Obelisk of Domitian, brought in pieces from the Circus of Maxentius and the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone. The Fontana del Moro with a basin and four Tritons from 1575 with a Moor, wrestling with a dolphin and the 2574 Fountain of Neptune.

This ended up being one of my favorite spots we found in Rome! This is a gorgeous courtyard with multiple fountains and large sculptures. It is a larger open air area so on nice days it is a great spot to stop and relax. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes close by and sitting there eating was my favorite meal of our trip. There were street performers (artist painting, bubble blowers for the kids, and street vendors) and plenty of seating. This is also one of the lesser known tourist stops so it was not nearly as crowded as some of the other places. This was an amazing stop because it let us take a minute to take a breath and really take in the city!

Rick Steves' free audio tour of Piazza Navona is how I experienced the place. Interesting to learn about the fountains... They're pretty neat!

The fountain and the courtyard is surreal even with 1000 other people sharing the moment with you. When in Rome it's worth the visit. It's surrounded by equally beautiful buildings, several cafes, and street performers for your entertainment. It's a whole vibe.

In addition to the surround of beautiful buildings and numerous cafés, terraces, street performers and portrait artists, the piazza has three fountains. The Fountain of Four Rivers with the obelisk, and two smaller fountains, Fountain del Nettuno and Fontana del Moro.

Destination? No. Pics & praiseworthy? Yes. Discovering the busy and lively Piazza Navona was a cool interruption ... and photo opportunity ... while we walked through this part of Rome. Little did we know at the time, that the crowded open public plaza with Baroque Roman architecture was a popular tourist venue as well. We joined the masses taking selfies and photos around the many landmark features. In the center is the famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) by Gian Lorenzo Bernini placed in 1651. It is topped by the imposing Obelisk of Domitian named after Stadio di Domiziano (also known as the Circus Agonalis) which was the here in the 1st century. Two other fountains provided cool photo backgrounds. At the northern end sits the Fountain of Neptune created by Giacomo della Porta in 1574. Over 300 years later in 1878, Antonio Della Bitta added the statue of Neptune. At the other end is the Fontana del Moro with four Tritons sculpted by Giacomo della Porta one year later in 1575. Almost 100 years afterwards, in 1673, Gian Lorenzo Bernini added the statue of a man wrestling with a dolphin. Around Piazza Navona, you'll find other important galleries, history, restaurants, and coffee shops. Both times we visited, it was a lively active mix of tourists, couples, and families taking pics and hanging out. The vibe and photos make it 5 stars even though it isn't a real destination unto itself.

Well, out of all Piazza (okay, Piazza means Square in English), I liked this most and I am glad I visited this in the night. Perhaps one of the best known of Rome's public squares, the Piazza Navona dates back to the end of the 15th century. This large square is usually full of artists and street vendors and the surrounding buildings frame the open space perfectly. it fills with people sipping coffees while watching street performers and artists. Cafes abound, and there are many shops too. There are 3 famous fountains here. Fontana dies Quattro Fiumi, Fontana del Moro and Fontana del Nettuno. But the main attraction in Piazza Navona is the Fontana die Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) and it was designed by none other than Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Trevi Fountain & Pantheon is very close to this (google, yes), So plan your activities accordingly

This was our first "sight" we came upon during our visit to Rome. SCW and I were staying a few blocks away at an AirBnB and needed to get our Rome experience started. With a general idea where it was we wandered through the narrow streets with interesting shops and popped out into the Piazza Navona. Such a beautiful sight even on a overcast day. The detail Bernini put into his sculptures is simply incredible. Such a pleasure to be able to see the fountains and the Sant'Agnese church. The Piazza Navona is quite a beautiful space where one can enjoy the views, people watching or some food surrounding the square. I'm not going to post the history or everything here as you'll find that information easily. It was indeed a bit overrun with fellow tourists though we are here in the slower season. Watch out for the selfie sticks which are a staple it seems for tourists in Rome. Don't have one? You'll have the chance to purchase one there (we of course did not). SCW (Super Cute Wife) noted with amusement the people who simply took a picture or two without pause to take in the sight only to wander off to the next place. I'm not sure the point of that but was amusing to see. Truly a gem to behold that has survived the ages. I enjoyed Piazza Navona immensely. Go and enjoy!

We didn't get to see this piazza until late at night, after seeing much of the rest of the top 10 places to see while in Rome earlier in the day. It wasn't as well lighted as I would have thought, but maybe they weren't on just yet? It was still abuzz, despite it being dark. There were quite a few people gathered in and around the square. These are just natural "watering holes" for the locals and tourists. It must be pure magnetism to just want to be around fountains and water sources, right? I luckily saw this piazza in the past, so I knew what the detailing of the statues looked like. I could still quite a bit in the glint of the moon light too.

We were just walking around when we literally ran into this square. This is what I love about Rome. You never know when you'll stumble upon some amazing churches or buildings. We took some great pictures here. A lot of times you don't even have to go into churches or buildings to enjoy them. I was looking for a fabric store, and if you follow my reviews, you know I found lots of cool places in Italy because of this side activity. We found a gelato shop and just sat enjoying our ice cream and view! Lots shipping around here as well.

Another must stop in Rome to enjoy Roman Gothic architecture here. Beautiful fountain in the middle, I was told they used to host a battle game/fight from both side of the fountain. Plaza shape makes you feel like you are on a ship deck. Be sure to check inside as they are gorgeous too.

I was so happy to be back in Piazza Navona after 20 years it is one of the largest and most beautiful piazza squares in Rome with three impressive fountains, including Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of Four Rivers) with its large obelisk at the centre, Fontana del Moro and Fontana di Nettuno. The baroque church of Sant'Agnese in Agone provides an impressive backdrop.It is a a great place to hang out because surrounded by restaurants and street artists, painters and musicians who add a lively atmosphere to the scene.   This is a pleasant place to hang out, have a drink or meal from the many restaurants that line the piazza and people watch.   There is always something going on at the Piazza Navona day or night so it's one stop to make when in Rome!

Whereas the Trevi Fountain is inundated with tourists, Piazza Navona is relatively less crowded but still has impressive fountains. In the center of the plaza is the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini. On opposite ends are the Fontana del Moro with the four Tritons and the Fountain of Neptune. There are still plenty of street vendors here, but it's a nice respite from the more popular spots in Rome. During Christmas time, this is also the site of a Christmas market.

Fun, lively and a " MUST EXPERIENCE" when visiting Rome. I won't go into all the history about the square, the architecture, the buildings, restaurants and fountain. You must put forth the effort and look up the history yourself. However, I will express the absolute joy of the surroundings. Tons of people and fun. Lots of fantastic restaurants and cafes. I mean it. There are actually restaurants in the square that serve fresh food with impeccable care. Not just your touristy stuff. I always advise friends to visit Piazza Navona at night. The music, street artists, lights, and weather during the summer months are much more enjoyable. Just like any big city gathering place, be mindful of pick pockets and always be aware of your surroundings.

One of the best plazas in the city. 2 nice fountains on the ends, one spectacular monument of a fountain in the center. The detail and expressions on the faces, the level of meticulous work on the hands and animals is superior to most. Be sure to look up on wikipedia or other sites as to the special history of all three fountains and this origins, which come in different periods. The amount of symbolism in the center fountain is fascinating, as it describes what was a nation in the midst of colonialism and power. The church off of the square is also a must-see. What remains of the mosaics and frescos only opens the imagination to the level of artistic power this region held. This is one of the few fountains you can actually drink from. Look it up to make sure you are drinking from the right one!

My favorite Piazza in Rome! Lively Plaza surrounded by trattorias, shops and plenty of interesting architecture. The fountains are beautifully ornate and I greatly enjoyed the live music as I walked around. Great place for an evening stroll or a romantic dinner in Rome. I cannot wait to return to this beautiful Piazza, very enjoyable evening.

Take me back! If you are spending a few days in the Eternal City then try your best to find a place to stay in or near Piazza Navona. Centrally located to all that defines Rome, Piazza Navona is walking distance to Vatican City, the Trevi fountain, the Forum, Colosseum and Pantheon. The Piazza itself is inviting and romantic all around with its alfresco dining options and the Four Rivers Fountain as the main focal point, anytime is a great time to visit this spot.

This is a very busy area but plenty of shops and restaurants to choose from! For us, we wanted more "off the beaten path", but is very convenient from the metro stop! I recommend going early to get better pictures without tons of people in them.

This place is nice but it gets really really packed and I overrun with tourist. I was a tourist myself, but I don't like to be trapped in a tourist bubble walking around blocking others and just taking pictures. There are lots of shops and good restaurants nearby, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding somewhere decent to eat.

Too many piazzas that Rome and Italy, in general, is known for! I lost sight of what this one is specially notable for. Every piazza is pleasant to be admired and to lounge over chats and possibly pizza or a cone of gelato - this one of many piazzas to do so! Take some snaps and perusing through!

This is arguably the most famous Piazza in Rome. It was definitely on my list of places to check out before we flew out here. The largest piazza we visited during the trip, Piazza Navona has 3 striking and beautiful fountains, most notably the Fountain of the Four Rivers. Fountain of the Four Rivers is the largest fountain located in the center of the Piazza, near the Egyptian obelisk. And it is spectacular! There are also two other fountains. At the southern end is the Fontana del Moro and at the northern end is the Fountain of Neptune. Both are stunning Baroque style fountains that are a treat to behold! Also facing the Piazza is the Palazzo Pamphilj, which was built in 1640's! I would avoid eating here, as all the places we scoped out were quite pricey. We didn't eat at any of them, it just seems to be you are going to pay a premium for that view. We just walked a block over and had a fine lunch for roughly half the price! This was a great place to check out during our time in Rome and is certainly worth a look see! 4 stars.

If you take Rick Steves' audioguide through the "Heart of Rome", the Piazza Navona is one of the stops on his tour. When you visit Rome there's lots of piazzas but this is one of the more prominent ones. The piazza was first constructed in 80 CE, around the same time that the Colosseum. It was once used to host chariot races but its current form took shape in the 17th century. Three fountains now dot the piazza - a Moor wrestling with a dolphin, the Fountain of Neptune and in the center the Fountain of Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi) sculpted by Bernini. Topped by an obelisk the fountain contains sculptures of the four major rivers in the world as they were known in the 17th century. The rivers personified are the Danube in Europe, the Nile in Africa, the Ganges in Asia (Yangtze is actually the longest river) and the Plata in the Americas (Amazon is the longest river). Around the piazza there's vendors of questionable status selling their wares. There's also cafes and restaurants just outside the piazza but considering their location they may be overpriced. Even if you don't purchase anything I would still hang around here for 10-15 minutes to people-watch and soak up the beauty of just being in Rome in between your sightseeing.

A little square where you can sit and hang out. Lots of shops around, and you can people watch. There some interesting statues here. A man was playing a piano in the middle of the place during the time we were there.

We came to this Piazza as various guides mentioned that the Christmas Markets here were the best in Roma. I think the markets were indeed pretty decent, but what made this a spectacular Piazza was the lovely fountains designed by the sculptor Bernini and also the Sant'Agnese in Agone church! All around the Piazza, stand perfect examples of Baroque architecture, and so absolutely recommend coming and checking out this squre. Also, if you find yourself thinking this square looks familiar its because its been featured in Ron Howard's film adaptation of Angels & Demons as the Altar of Science for Water. Apart from the church and buildings, there are 3 fountains located in this Piazza and the middle one is my fave as it's called the"Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi" aka the 4 Rivers fountain, and one the rivers being represented is the Ganges! (the other 3 are the Nile, the Danube, and the Rio de la Plata). This is also sculpted by Bernini, BTW and then you have a fake Roman obelisk in the middle. The other two fountains are located towards the end of the square - one of them is called Fontana del Moro and the other which I found to be more beautiful is called Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune) Indeed a most beautiful square and absolutely well worth a visit! Yelp 290/ 2018

Piazza Navona is situated somewhere between two crucial bookmarks on my Yelp app - Frigidarium with its delightful gelati and Sant'Eustachio Il Caffè with its delicious cappuccino. It has another reference to Dan Brown's Angels and Demons book where the fourth Altar of Science representing "Water" can be found. It is one of my favorite piazzas in Italy because we got the chance to enjoy it in its full elegance without any restrictive fences in plain sight. The piazza stretches northward from Via di Pasquino with several businesses flanking both sides. The beautiful church of Sant'Agnese in Agone is located on the west side while the impressive Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) takes center stage. The four rivers being symbolized are the Ganges, Nile, Danube, and Rio de la Plata. Each statue depicting them is a river god. Legend has it that the fountain was designed by the great Italian architect / sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini to mock his rival, Francesco Borromini, who was commissioned to do the church. The Rio de la Plata statue had his arm raised to portray the collapse of the church. What made this myth very fascinating was the fact that the fountain was completed several years before the church was erected! Just like the other squares, an Egyptian obelisk was present on the scene. It was stacked in the middle of the fountain surrounded by the four river-god statues. Surely, every angle around the fountain was a photo spot. The northern end of the piazza was adorned by the Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune). To complete the troika, the Fontana del Moro (Moor Fountain) highlighted the southern side. And of course, let's not forget Rome's world-renowned cobblestones - surely adored by tourists and highly loathed by locals. What's easy on the eyes could be hard on the feet and wheels. This was a very lively piazza with plenty of street performers, artists, vendors, and people-watchers. I thought it would be nearly impossible to find an empty area around the Fountain of the Four Rivers because of its popularity but patience always prevails. Food and shops are within the vicinity and another landmark, the Pantheon, is roughly a ten-minute walk. If we ever make it back to Rome, this will clearly be a hot destination. I need to make sure I get some night photos here, too...

Among the many beautiful piazzas in Rome, this is an especially beautiful one with great fountains, sculptures, buildings, and restaurants/cafes to get a drink or snack. It feels so good to be here!

Meh. This is the most popular piazza in from, so expect it to be full of tourists and people trying to screw over tourists. Think Hollywood, but more aggressive. There are a few beautiful fountains, church, and overpriced touristy restaurants. Oh, and a few souvenir shops and plenty of people watching. There are a few peddlers, and two got into an argument over territory. It's was pretty bizarre. You will probably find yourself here one way or another, but if you don't, you're really not missing anything.

The stunning Piazza Navona is the best place is the visit when in Rome. The plaza is lined with trattorias, restaurants, bars, and the magnificent Renaissance Palazzo Braschi, which is the home of the Museo di Roma. Taking center stage is Bernini's Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. The beautifully carved figures represent the world's four great rivers. Pick one of the many cafes or bars and enjoy an early evening l'aperitivo. The classic Roman aperitivo is a spritz, made with white wine or Prosecco, Campari or Aperol, and soda water. Often light nibbles are included in the price of the drink. HOT TIP: Visit the square during the day, then revisit at night. Walking across Piazza Navona at night is so peaceful. One cannot help the sensation of humbleness. This is a large, quiet space in an otherwise busy and hectic city. It's also great that there are no cars, and it is pedestrian-only! Piazza Navona comes to life once the sun goes down, with street performers showcasing their talents as well as artists displaying their pieces. Plus, the lights on the fountains are just magical! The sculptures around the area are stunning and worth seeing. Around the area, there are so many eateries, chose from ice cream, pasta, bars, 5-star restaurants, and many more. There are no longer any street entertainers or artists, but there is still much excitement with many tourists around the areas. Truly a place to visit when in Rome. You must visit this place at least once.

Piazza Navona was an extremely pleasant surprise, and a nice "palette cleanser" between the "big boy attractions" in the immediate area. (Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, etc.) Working off of a walking map I had, I more or less stumbled upon Piazza Navona, while traipsing about, what I called, the "downtown area" of Rome. I had heard about Piazza Navona, but it wasn't on our list of "must see's," although I would suggest you put it on yours. First, if you like statues and fountains, Trevi Fountain is king, but that's just ONE statue. Piazza Navona has THREE of them shits, and literally 1/20th of the crowd. In a rare occurrence for this area, you won't even know what to do with all the space available to you! Piazza Navona is just a city block of rectangular open space, with three beautiful fountains spread out in the middle. While there, we were able to kind of "reset" and take a second to figure things out and plan our next move, while not worrying about being in anyones way or having to be hyper vigilant about crowds or pickpockets. And THEN, like when the Grinch realized the true meaning of Christmas, you start to realize that you're in a REALLY dope area! The statues/fountains are amazing, and I even started to look up Piazza Navona facts while I was there. (Did you know they used to flood the plaza and let people swim in the square?! How is that even POSSIBLE?!) There are even shops and restaurants outlining the plaza if you want to eat or buy a souvenir. Although, the only less than pleasant aspect of Piazza Navona WAS when we went to buy a towel at the touristy store, because THREE, (and I mean ALL THREE of them!) workers followed within literal INCHES of me, every single step I took in the store. I guess they were worried about me stealing, but it was insane how closely they were playing me. The Misses and I made a game of it and kept splitting up, and walking fast to other parts of the store just to mess with them. We laughed it off, but it WAS annoying. We wound up paying WAY too much for a "Rome" towel, but only because it was approximately one BILLION degrees, and we wanted something that we could dip in the fountain and keep wet to keep us cool. While you shouldn't go to Rome FOR Piazza Navona, I think you'd be a fool if you were in the area and didn't stop by. Seriously, it was WAY better than the Vatican. Ugh, that place.

Built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian in 1st century AD. The ancient Romans came here to watch the agones ("games"), and it was known as "Circus Agonalis" ("competition arena"). It is believed that over time the name changed to in avone to navone and eventually to navona. When the city market was transferred there from the Campidoglio, Piazza Navona was transformed into a highly significant example of Baroque Roman architecture and art during the pontificate of Innocent X, who reigned from 1644 until 1655. It features important sculptural and architectural creations: in the center stands the famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, topped by the Obelisk of Domitian, brought in pieces from the Circus of Maxentius; the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone by Francesco Borromini, Girolamo Rainaldi, Carlo Rainaldi and others. The piazza has hosted theatrical events and other ephemeral activities. From 1652 until 1866, when the festival was suppressed, it was flooded on every Saturday and Sunday in August in elaborate celebrations of the Pamphilj family. The pavement level was raised in the 19th century, and in 1869 the market was moved to the nearby Campo de' Fiori. A Christmas market is held in the piazza.

Both times I went to Rome, I have stayed close to my favorite place in the world. Piazza Novanna is close to food, shopping, and fun things to see. There are street merchants and fountains. I don't recommend eating within the Piazza because most of those places our tourist traps. Walk a couple of blocks outside to find the best food. You definitely don't want to miss this piazza. The entertainment value alone is worth it, and it's very beautiful.

Amazing plaza , in ancient times they used to fill the whole plaza with water and do boat fights or something like that if I remember what the guide said while we were there