Rome Sights

Piazza del Popolo

#7 of 963 things to do in Rome

#17 of 6227 things to do in Italy

2 reviews | Write a review

  • Address
    • Tridente nr Piazza Del Popolo
  • Transport
    • Flaminio

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Lonely Planet review for Piazza del Popolo

For centuries the sight of public executions, this elegant neoclassical piazza is a superb people-watching spot. It was originally laid out in 1538 to provide a grandiose entrance to the city – at the time, and for centuries before, it was the main northern gateway into the city. Since then it has been extensively altered, most recently by Giuseppe Valadier in 1823. Guarding its southern entrance are Carlo Rainaldi’s twin 17th-century baroque churches, Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Chiesa di Santa Maria in Montesanto, while over on the northern flank is the Porta del Popolo, created by Bernini in 1655. In the centre, the 36m-high Egyptian obelisk was moved here from the Circo Massimo in the mid-16th century. To the east are the Pincio Hill Gardens.

 

Traveller reviews for Piazza del Popolo (2)

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    Rome's town planning

    melyuan recommends this,

    It's hard to think of Rome as being a 'planned' city, but this Piazza is a major, and deliberate entry point into the city. Get up on high to see the way the streets leading from the Piazza lead into the city's heart.

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    BEAUTIFUL spot!

    thattravelingcouple recommends this,

    Piazza Del Popolo was absolutely breathtaking, definitely one of the most beautiful piazzas we saw in Rome! We were there at dusk and walked around the lively square, enjoying the buzz of the people and the music playing in the streets, it was awesome - and SO "Rome"!

    We climbed the stairs at the far end of the piazza (in the opposite direction of the restaurants and shops), you'll see them next to a brick building, it's a relatively narrow staircase so don't miss it! Up those stairs, and a few others after that we found an amazing spot overlooking the Roman rooftops, the Piazza and the incredible sunset.

    There was a cute gelato cart up there so we grabbed an ice cream each and sat on a ledge and watched the sunset over the rooftops of these ornate Roman buildings - it was simply surreal!

    I'd head up there about 5ish to catch the full experience and then wander back down to the Piazza Del Popolo and stroll through the vibrant streets, fun restaurants and down to the beautiful Spanish Stairs!

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