Rome is full of wonderful piazzas and one of the main squares – even though it is actually an oval! – is Piazza del Popolo.

Located at one end of the Via del Corso where it meets Via del Babuino (literally “Baboon Street”), Piazza del Popolo is named after the church of Santa Maria del Popolo – and it literally means People’s Square.

There are actually two churches at the entrance to the piazza – Santa Maria in Montesanto forms a twin to Santa Maria del Miracoli. They were built in the same style between 1662 and 1679.

In the centre of the piazza is an Egyptian pylon – more Roman war booty – dedicated to the pharaoh Sety I . It originates from Heliopolis and was moved from the Circus Maximus to the centre of the square in 1589 on the orders of Pope Sixtus V.

At the northern side of the piazza is the Porta Flaminia, leading to Via Flaminia, one of Rome’s major arterial roads which eventually leads to the Adriatic coast, stretching from the Gulf of Venice to Puglia.  Pope Pius IV ordered the building of the Port Flaminia in 1562, so that pilgrims entering the Eternal City would feel the majesty of Rome. The architect commissioned to build the huge entrance was Nanni di Baccio Bigio.

The Porta Flaminia is now called the Porta Popolo and the current layout of the piazza was designed from 1811 onwards under the architect Giuseppe Valadier.

It is a vast space full of architectural splendour and statuary, such as Neptune’s Fountain and a graceful figure of Ceres.

You can read more about this statue and the festival of  Ieiunium Ceres in my blog dedicated to the festival.

Piazza del Popolo is a lively, vibrant piazza which also borders the Borghese Park. There are plenty of cafes and bars to enjoy lunch at –  plus if you approach the piazza from Via del Corso, you can also visit Goethe’s House, which is at the top of the Corso. It is usually a quiet and cool retreat from the heat of Via del Corso – you can read more about Goethe’s House in my blog.

After lunch in Piazza del Popolo, a stroll in Borghese Park under the shade of the trees is a perfect way to spend the afternoon in the heat of Rome. There are cafes in the park, plus the opportunity to cycle, skateboard or visit the Borghese Museum (pre-booking necessary). Or just find a bench and enjoy some peace and quiet in a lovely natural setting, away from the hurly burly of tourist Rome.

Buon viaggio!