Piazza del Popolo, or Peoples' Square

Piazza del Popolo is one of my favorite squares in Rome. I first visited it in 2018 on my first trip to Rome. I was especially excited to visit the Chigi Chapel inside the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo because it was featured in the movie "Angels and Demons," which I love!

The Piazza del Popolo was used for public executions for centuries, but those ended in 1826. It is located very close to the Spanish Steps and relatively close to the Trevi Fountain. One of the tallest, and one of the oldest, obelisks in Rome stands in the center of Piazza del Popolo - the Flaminio Obelisk. It was brought to Rome in 1 BC from Egypt, and originally stood in the Circus Maximus. It was moved to Piazza del Popolo in 1589. In 1828 the Fountain of the Four Lions was added to the center of the square at the base of the obelisk. There are also fountains on either end of the square -- the Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune) on the west, and the Fontana di Roma on the east. There are also two sarcophagus fountains on either side of the Basilica that were once sarcophaguses and were repurposed as fountains.

One unique feature of the Piazza del Popolo that I really enjoy is the twin churches - the Santa Maria dei Miracoli and the Santa Maria en Montesanto. They were built in 1679 and 1681. They are not completely identical, but obviously twin church which were built by the same people -- originally Rainaldi, but finished by Bernini and Carlo Fontana.

When we visited the square in 2025 there were street performers in the square and large animals greeting visitors. We ate outside at a restaurant on the square called Caffe Trombetta and enjoyed watching all of the people and listening to the music. The fountains on either side of the square were under construction when we visited, and covered almost completely up so that we couldn't admire them.

The closest metro stop to the Piazza del Popolo is the Flaminio metro stop.