Piazza Navona
1 / 4
Piazza Navona - by Owen Daly on Google
Description
Piazza Navona is a public square in the centre of the Old City featuring several (mostly) baroque monuments such as the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, the Pamphili Palace, the Obelisk of Domitian, and the Fountain of Neptune. It was initially established in the 16th century as the city market in the space where the Stadium of Domitian was built in the 1st century - hence the shape that allowed for athletics competitions and horse racing. It was massively "upgraded" in terms of art and architecture during the pontificate of Innocent X (1644-1655). Trivia: the rivers represented by the Quattro Fiumi fountain are the Danube for Europe, the Ganges for Asia, the Nile for Africa and the Rio della Plata for America.
Access & Transport
The square is a few minutes' walk from many other attractions and the closest tram stop is Arenula/Cairoli (8), 600m away. There are also several buses stops only a couple of mins away: "Rinascimento" and "Senato" on Corso del Rinascimiento, and "C.So Vittorio Emanuele/Navona" on Corso Vittorio Emanuelle II.
Instructions & Recommendations
This is one of the best places in the city to sit and have a break although it can get very crowded so visiting early morning can be a good idea. In the evenings, there is also a lively atmosphere and great lighting. We suggest combining a visit there with the Pantheon.
Environmental & Social
Environmentally, there is no data at the neighbourhood level, but it is mostly concrete with few green spaces. Preserves the city's cultural and architectural heritages, but it is clearly over-commercialized, like most of the Old Rome.
Conclusion
Piazza Navona is popular for a reason: there are few other squares with such a concentration of artistic elements, be it sculptures or architecture. Fortunately, there is some consistency in terms of style, which makes for a very striking ensemble.
Key positive
Visually very impressive
Centrally located with many other sights / points of interest nearby
Key negative
Very busy / crowded
Expensive F&B on the piazza itself
Suitability
No restrictions
About this Rating
TYPE
Onsite
RESEARCHED IN
April 2023
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 20m
est. visit time:0h 45m
Sunrise / early morningOk
MorningOk
Lunch timeOk
AfternoonOk
Sunset / eveningOk
Night – bef. midnightOk
Night – aft. midnightNo