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Piazza Navona
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · IT

Piazza Navona

Getting around: In central Rome, a short walk from the Pantheon, fully pedestrianized.
Hours: Open at all times as a public square.

Piazza Navona is one of Rome's grandest Baroque squares, built over the ruins of the ancient Stadium of Domitian, whose oval shape still defines the square's elongated form today. Its centerpiece is Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers, personifying the Nile, Ganges, Danube, and Río de la Plata, commissioned by Pope Innocent X in the mid-17th century.

The square is flanked by the Baroque church of Sant'Agnese in Agone and lined with cafes, street artists, and performers, making it one of the liveliest public spaces in central Rome at almost any hour.

It's free to visit and easily combined with the nearby Pantheon in a single walking loop through this part of the historic center.

Piazza Navona FAQs

Is there an entry fee for the piazza?

No, it's a free public square.

What is the main fountain?

Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers, a 17th-century Baroque masterpiece personifying four major rivers of the continents then known.

Why is the square oval-shaped?

It follows the footprint of the ancient Stadium of Domitian, which once occupied the same site.

Is it a good place to eat?

There are cafes on the square, though prices reflect the prime location; better value is usually a short walk away.

Is it near the Pantheon?

Yes, a short 5-10 minute walk connects the two.

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