In Italian: Piazza Navona
At the heart of Rome’s historic center, Piazza Navona is one of the city’s most vibrant and enchanting spots, filled with painters, restaurants, cafés, and gelaterias, and above all, its Baroque monuments and fountains. The central one is a monumental masterpiece by Bernini, crowned with a grand obelisk.
The visit to Piazza Navona ranks number 5 in our Top 30 Things to See in Rome.
Overview and History: From Domitian’s Stadium to a Baroque Icon
Stretching 240 meters long, Piazza Navona retains the shape of the ancient Stadium of Domitian, remnants of which lie beneath street level. It has since become an iconic expression of the lavish Baroque period, with its fountains, churches, and monuments.
Piazza Navona with the Fountain of the Moor
At the center, the monumental Fountain of the Four Rivers (1648–1651) is a work by Bernini. Its statues represent the Nile, Ganges, Danube, and Rio de la Plata. Atop a sculpted rock stands the striking obelisk, originally from the Circus of Maxentius on the Appian Way. Built in Egypt, it was likely commissioned by Domitian, as suggested by its hieroglyphs, and once adorned the Temple of Isis near the Pantheon.
The other two beautiful Baroque fountains, the Fountain of the Moor and the Fountain of Neptune, dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, were wholly or partially designed by Giacomo della Porta.
Facing the central fountain is the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, with its stunning Baroque façade by Borromini, another master of the era who left his mark on Rome.
Adjacent to Sant’Agnese, the prestigious Pamphilj Palace now houses the Brazilian Embassy.
-
- Piazza Navona
-
- Piazza Navona and obelisk
-
- Fountain of the Four Rivers
-
- Christmas on Piazza Navona
-
- Piazza Navona
-
- Fountain of Neptune
-
- Fountain of the Four Rivers
-
- Stadium of Domitian
-
- Fountain of the Moor
-
- Fontana del Moro
-
- Gange river, Fountain of the Four Rivers
-
- Nil river, Fountain of the Four Rivers
A selection of hotels, rooms, and apartments near Piazza Navona, sorted by price or distance:
- Good hotels and accommodations sorted BY PRICE within 600 meters of Navona
- Good hotels and accommodations sorted BY DISTANCE from Navona
Ideas for tours, discoveries, and activities including Piazza Navona and other Rome landmarks, or cooking classes, etc. Note that most of these activities are offered in English (please verify).
Resources for Further Exploration
- Piazza Navona on Rome-Roma, photos, history, and architecture
- Piazza Navona on Wikipedia and Turismo Roma
Piazza Navona on the Map
If you see this after your page is loaded completely, leafletJS files are missing.
FAQ and Visiting Tips
How to Get to Piazza Navona?
Piazza Navona is in the heart of Rome. Buses stop nearby on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Corso Rinascimento, or Piazza di Largo Argentina.
What to See Near Piazza Navona?
This is the core of Rome, with countless landmarks, including major ones like the Pantheon to the east, Campo dei Fiori, and Piazza Farnese to the south across the Corso, the Church of Sant’Andrea della Valle, Saint Louis of the French, and more.
