After writing the post for the 10 things to do in Rome we realized that the famous Piazzas of the city need a special reference. This is the reason we prepared a post and a map with all the Piazzas that are “a must” to visit, photo-shoot, or just drink a coffee around. Wear your sports shoes and enjoy yourself!!
Piazza Di Spagna
One of the most iconic piazzas of Rome is the Piazza Di Spagna. In the center of the Piazza, you will find the Fontana Della Barcaccia while you will be impressed by the 136 steps monumental staircase funded by the French in order to connect the embassy of Bourbons with the church in the top Trinità dei Monti.
In the area and more specific on Via del Babuino str. you will find probably the most expensive shops in Rome. Luis Vitton, Dior, Hogan, Tiffany & Co, and, Versace Menichini Gioiellieri are some of them.
Directions to Piazza Di Spagna
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is built in the place where the Stadium of Domitian also known as Circus Agonalis. It is believed also that Navona is a paraphrase through centuries of from “in agone” (games in greek) to “in anone” to “navone”.
The piazza starred in many movies and Angels and Daemons of Dan Brown is one of them. Do not miss the experience to visit the underground museum of Piazza Navona.
Piazza del Popolo
You will recognize the Piazza del Popolo from the Egyptian obelisk of Sety I and Ramses II and the twin churches which are not actually identically the same but they differ in many details, offering variety within their symmetrical balance in baroque style.
The obelisk is also known as “Obelisco Flaminio” and was transferred to Rome on 10 B.C. after the order of Augustus. It is the second ancient obelisks in the world and one of the tallest in Rome.
Directions to Piazza del Popolo
Piazza San Pietro
It is probably one of the most known squares worldwide. It is located in front of St. Peter’s Basilica of the Vatican. It is decorated with 248 columns and 140 statues of saints in a way that they give the feeling of a hug to the 60.000 people that can be gathered. In the center, we will see one more Egyptian obelisk made from red granite with a height of 25.36 meters.
The first location of the obelisk was in Heliopolis around 2494 to 2345 B.C.. Augusts firstly transferred it to the Julian Forum of Alexandria and Kaligoulas transferred it to Rome. Having in mind that is weighs 322 tonnes we can understand that it is a miracle by itself.
The obelisk combined with the pavement which has the signs of zodiac work as a gigantic gigantic sundial’s gnomon.
Directions to St. Peter’s Square
Piazza della Rotonda
Piazza della Rotonda was not that popular always. During the 18th century was known as a place for selling every kind of bird in cages like parrots, nightingales, owls, and more. Some visitors in 1820 from England, during their visit, they repeatedly mentioned in their memoirs the level of the impure and the attendance of beggars in the Pantheon’s piazza.
Like most of the fountains in Rome, it was build as part of a plan to provide drinking water in the entire city. The obelisk that decorates the plaza was constructed by Pharaoh Ramses II for the Temple of Ra in Heliopolis. It was transferred to Rome during the ancient years and took its current place in 1711.
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