Piazza Navona and other Rome, Italy Things to Do Tips

The Piazza Navona is a marvel of light and sculpture. It's the longest Piazza in Rome. The piazza marks the area for the races in the stadium.
It features many fine old buildings, a beautiful church and three stunning fountains.

Piazza Navona is an extremely lively place with open air cafes around it. During the summer there are numerous artists who draw or paint members of the public for a fee. The place is crowded each day and there are often buskers and sometimes mimes to entertain.

No visit to Rome is complete without a visit to this Piazza.

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This amazing fountain is situated right in the center of Piazza Navona and is its most spectacular fountain of the three.

I was created by Bernini in 1651. It features a central rocky structure that supports an obelisk that was an ancient Roman imitation of the Egyptian form.

Around this structure are four giant statues by Bernini's pupils following his designs representing the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges, and the Rio della Plata, each representing one of the four quarters of the world.

These statues have quite lifelike positions and have such movement to them that they seem to be gesticulating.

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Address: Piazza Navona

The Fontana di Trevi or Trevi Fountain is the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome. This impressive monument dominates the small Trevi square located in the Quirinale district.

The fountain is at the ending part of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. It brings water all the way from the Salone Springs and supplies the fountains in the historic center of Rome with water.

The central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. Each sea horse is guided by a Triton. One of the horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea.

On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance, the statue on the right represents Salubrity. Above the sculptures are bas-reliefs, one of them shows Agrippa, the girl after whom the aqueduct was named.

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Directions: On Trevi Square, in the Quirinale District.

The water at the bottom of the Trevi fountain represents the sea. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain.

The fountain's bottom is full of coins. I have done so and returned to Rome. Second time I did it again so I am looking forward to return !

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Address: Trevi Quarter, in Quirinale district

The Pantheon has more than 1800 years old and stills stands as a reminder of the Roman Empire!

The building's dome, more than 43 meters high, is most impressive.

Originally a temple for all pagan gods, the temple was converted into a church in 609. The Pantheon contains the tombs of Rafael and of several Italian Kings. Its interior design contrast with the temple's structural design, but the marble floor still features the original Roman design.

The Pantheon borders the Piazza della Rotonda, a rectangular square with a central fountain. It is situated in the historic center of Rome, not far from the Piazza Navone.

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Address: Piazza della Rotonda
Directions: Near the Piazza Navona.

This is a lovely small Piazza where the Pantheon is situated. It has a central fountain and is always full of people, with many cafes and small open air restaurants.

It's very lively and colourful and at night you can see and hear people playing music there, specially classical music.

The hotel where I stayed on my second time in Rome, the Albergo del Senato, is situated here and it had great views of the Piazza and the Pantheon from its balconies.

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Directions: Near Piazza Navone

Today, in Rome, the Coliseum is one of its most famous landmarks and tourist attractions. Although it survives only as a ruin, it still rates as one of the finest examples of Roman architecture and engineering.

With eighty entrances, the Coliseum could hold upwards of 50,000 spectators. Public events such as gladiator fights, mock naval battles and wild animal hunts were held at the Coliseum. During the staged fights as many as 10,000 people were killed. Fighters were slaves, prisoners or volunteers. Spectators saw persecuted Christians killed by lions.

It's the postcard of Rome and though you will have to wait in a long line to get the tickets and enter, you will feel brought back in time to the Roman times once you're in!

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Address: Piazza del Colosseo

The Forum Romanum is located next to the Coliseum. It was the political and economical centre of Rome during the Republic.

Today, the forum can look like a disorderly collection of ruins to the uninitiated, but with some imagination you can see the Roman empire come back to life at this site. Remains of many buildings from different periods are visible; the forum was littered with temples, basilicas and triumphal arches.

The area was the center of activity in Rome. Here, triumphal processions took place, elections were held and the Senate assembled.

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Directions: Area along Via dei Fori Imperiali

Three triumphal arches were built on the forum. They were used by emperors to commemorate their victories.

The first one, constructed by Augustus, does not exist anymore. The Arch of Titus, built in AD 81 AD commemorates the victory in the Jewish War. It is located at the Via Sacra on the eastern side of the forum.

At the other end of the forum, near the capitoline hill is the Arch of Septimius Severus. It was built in AD 203 to commemorate the victory over the Parthians.

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Directions: Area along Via dei Fori Imperiali

The Trinità dei Monti is a beautiful French church located on a hill overlooking the small piazza della Trinità dei Monti. From this square, you have an nice view over Rome.

The gothic church with a renaissance facade has two bell-towers. Inside, several paintings decorate the different chapels. Among them are two works by Daniele da Volterra, a pupil of Michelangelo.

Its location on top of the Spanish Steps and the rosy color make the Trinità dei Monti a well-known landmark in Rome.

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Address: Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps)