Piazza del Popolo - Piazza del Popolo information and pictures



Piazza del Popolo is an oval shaped square near close to Piazza di Spagna and is remarkable because of the twin churches that stand on the either side if the Porta del Popolo. Santa Maria di Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli churches were designed by Carlo Rainaldi and commissioned by pope Alexander VII in 1658. They were built in the Neo classical style.

The obelisk at the center of the square commemorates the conquest of Egypt by Augustus in 10 BC. The Egyptian obelisk was moved from its original place at Circus Maximus by Pope Sixtus V in 1589.

Porta del Popolo was built in the 16th century by Pope Pius IV Medici. The porta resembles a triumphal arch and was designed by the architect Nanni di Bigio. Porta del Popolo was the entrance to Rome from Via Flaminia - the road leading to the Adriatic sea. Via Flaminia was built in 220 BC.

Santa Maria del Popolo is a Renaissance church commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV in 1472. It is an architectural and artistic treasure. Many famous Italian families have chapels in the church. The Chigi Chapel was designed by Raphael and on both sides of the altar are sculptures by Lorenzetto and Bernini. In the 19-th century Giuseppe Valadier transformed the façade of Santa Maria del Popolo in NeoClassical style to integrate it with the other buildings on the piazza.

How to get to Piazza del Popolo: By Metro line A to Spagna station.

For great accomodation you can visit Rome Hotels.

Piazza del Popolo Rome
Piazza del Popolo, Rome

Piazza del Popolo Obelisk Rome
Piazza del Popolo, Obelisk, Rome




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brittany says:
im a huge fan of art and sculptures in rome but i find it funny how everythin in rome always seems to have to be somethin holy ye out of nowwhere u have a huge egyptian "pagan" obelisk right in the middle of it all