Piazza del Popolo and the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo

Situated at one end of the Via del Corso (the other end being Piazza Venezia), Piazza del Popolo is one of Rome’s great squares and a pleasure to discover. This fine ensemble includes fountains, churches and an obelisk to adorn its centre. The name Piazza del Popolo, often translated as People’s Square, may rather refer to a poplar that grew on Nero’s mausoleum…

Getting there: Flaminio metro station or by bus lines (61, 119, 160…)

Address: Piazza del Popolo

Opening hours: church of Santa Maria del Popolo, Monday to Saturday from 8:30 to 9:45, from 10:30 to 12:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00; Sunday from 16:30 to 18:00.

Ticket prices: free entry.

Laid out at the request of Popes Pius VI and Pius VII at the end of the 18th century, this square was adorned with two monumental fountains at either end and a gate cut through the Aurelian Walls.

The obelisk at the centre dates from the time of Ramesses II and was brought from Egypt by the emperor Augustus to adorn the Circus Maximus.

It was moved one last time to the centre of the square in the 16th century by Pope Sixtus V, who used obelisks to guide pilgrims towards St Peter’s.

The fountain and the statues at its base were added when the square was laid out.

Beside the Porta del Popolo stands the church of Santa Maria del Popolo, remarkable for the quality of the works it contains.

Built at the request of Pope Sixtus IV at the end of the 15th century on the site of a chapel, this Renaissance church houses a fine collection of works of art, including in particular two paintings by Caravaggio, Renaissance frescoes by Pinturicchio and statues by Bernini.

These works adorn the various chapels of the church. The most remarkable are the Cerasi Chapel containing the works by Caravaggio, the Chigi Chapel with Bernini’s sculptures, the Basso della Rovere Chapel with its Renaissance frescoes, and the Chigi Chapel for its mosaics made from drawings by Raphael.

Leave the square by the stairs to reach the Pincio hill. From the top of the hill, laid out as a very pleasant garden, you will have a superb view over Piazza del Popolo as far as the Vatican. Not to be missed!