When
Wednesday 8 July
Suggested nearby
Hours
Always open
Focus
- Fountain of the Four Rivers (Bernini)
- Sant'Agnese in Agone
- Fountain of the Moor
The full story
While the Colosseum roars with tales of gladiatorial might and the Forum whispers secrets of ancient empires, Piazza Navona invites you to a different kind of Roman spectacle – one of Baroque splendor, vibrant street life, and the graceful dance between art and everyday existence. Step into this grand oval embrace, and you instantly become part of a living canvas, a theatrical stage where Bernini's genius meets the rhythm of Roman life. No longer a stadium, but a piazza, Piazza Navona breathes with an energy that is uniquely its own. It is a place to linger, to absorb, to simply be. You are not merely a spectator here; you are an essential brushstroke in its ever-evolving masterpiece. The piazza itself, a magnificent elongated oval, is an echo of its past. Once Domitian's Stadium, it retains the footprint of ancient games, where chariot races and athletic contests once thrilled Roman crowds. Today, instead of chariots, you'll find artists sketching caricatures, musicians serenading passersby, and vendors hawking their wares, all framed by the grand facades of palaces and churches. Your gaze will inevitably be drawn to the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, the Fountain of Four Rivers, a breathtaking centerpiece by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Here, four colossal river gods — representing the Nile, Danube, Ganges, and Plate — recline against a dramatic rock formation, supporting an ancient Egyptian obelisk. Look closely, and you’ll see the powerful musculature of the figures, the dynamic flow of their drapery, and the intricate details that bring each river god to life. Imagine the 17th-century Romans marveling at this very same spectacle, a testament to the Baroque era's love for grandeur, movement, and emotional intensity. Across from Bernini's masterpiece, you’ll discover the captivating Chiesa di Sant'Agnese in Agone, a brilliant work by his rival, Francesco Borromini. The concave facade of the church, with its elegant bell towers, seems to embrace the piazza, a graceful counterpoint to the fountain
Architectural details
- Architect
- Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi); Francesco Borromini (Sant'Agnese in Agone); Girolamo Rainaldi and Carlo Rainaldi (Palazzo Pamphili)
- Built
- 17th century (redevelopment of the ancient Stadium of Domitian)
- Style
- Baroque
- Materials
- Marble, travertine, stucco, fresco
- Dimensions
- Approximately 240 meters long and 130 meters wide (piazza itself)
- Restorations
- Numerous restorations over centuries, including significant work on the fountains and surrounding buildings to maintain their structural integrity and artistic detail.
Must-see highlights
- Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of Four Rivers): Bernini's masterpiece featuring colossal river gods and an Egyptian obelisk.
- Chiesa di Sant'Agnese in Agone: Borromini's elegant Baroque church with its distinctive concave facade.
- Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune): Located at the northern end, depicting Neptune battling an octopus.
- Fontana del Moro (Fountain of the Moor): At the southern end, featuring a Moor (African) wrestling a dolphin.
- Palazzo Pamphili: A grand Baroque palace overlooking the piazza, now housing the Brazilian Embassy.
- Street Artists and Performers: Witness the vibrant atmosphere created by painters, caricaturists, musicians, and street performers.
Historical context
Piazza Navona occupies the site of the ancient Stadium of Domitian, built in the 1st century AD. This stadium was primarily used for athletic contests and gladiator shows, and its elongated oval shape directly dictated the piazza's unique form. In the 15th century, it was paved over and became a public square, hosting markets and festivals. The 17th century marked its transformation into the Baroque masterpiece you see today, largely due to the patronage of Pope Innocent X Pamphili, whose family palace still dominates one side of the piazza. Its design became a showcase for the artistic rivalry between Bernini and Borromini, two giants of the Baroque era.The piazza's history as a site for public spectacles continued into more recent times. Until the mid-19th century, in the scorching heat of August, the piazza was often flooded by blocking the drains of its fountains, creating a shallow lake for boat rides and water games, providing a spectacular (and sometimes chaotic) form of entertainment for the Roman populace.
Viewing tips
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning (before 9 AM) or late evening (after 7 PM) to avoid crowds and experience a more tranquil atmosphere. Sunset offers beautiful photographic opportunities.
- Explore on Foot: The piazza is pedestrian-only and best explored by leisurely strolling around to appreciate the fountains, architecture, and street life.
- Look Up and Around: Don't just focus on the fountains. Take time to admire the grand palaces, intricate facades, and small details of the surrounding buildings.
- Photography: The best angles for the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi are generally from the eastern or western sides of the piazza, allowing you to capture the obelisk and river gods effectively. Experiment with different light conditions.
- Savor the Atmosphere with a Coffee or Gelato: Find a cafe with outdoor seating, order an espresso or a gelato, and simply watch the world go by. It's an essential Piazza Navona experience.
- Beware of Pickpockets: Given the large crowds, especially during peak season, be vigilant about your belongings and keep valuables secure.
Fun facts
- The 'Battle of the Fountains': Legend has it that Bernini's statue of the River Plate in the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi is shielding its eyes from Borromini's church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, due to their intense rivalry. This is a myth, as the fountain was completed before Borromini extensively redesigned the church's facade.
- Flooded Piazza: For centuries, until 1866, the drains of the fountains were regularly blocked in August, flooding the piazza to create the 'Lago di Piazza Navona' (Lake of Piazza Navona) for cooling off and mock naval battles.
- Olympic Connection: The Piazza Navona's elongated shape is directly inherited from the ancient Stadium of Domitian, which could hold around 30,000 spectators and was used for athletic contests similar to the Olympic Games.
- The 'Talking Statue': While not in Piazza Navona itself, one of Rome's 'talking statues,' Il Facchino, used to be located near the piazza. These statues were used by Romans to post anonymous satirical comments and criticisms.
- Bernini's Hidden Message: The dove atop the obelisk in the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi is the symbol of the Pamphili family, Pope Innocent X's family, explicitly linking the fountain to his patronage.
- Three Fountains, One Piazza: While the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi is the most famous, Piazza Navona actually boasts three magnificent fountains: Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, Fontana del Nettuno, and Fontana del Moro.