Piazza Navona is a long, elegant square in the heart of Rome’s historic centre, framed by warm-coloured palazzi, cafés and the twin bell towers of Sant’Agnese in Agone. Its distinctive shape follows the outline of the Stadium of Domitian, built around AD 85 for athletic contests. The curve of the ancient arena is still visible in the buildings that surround the square.
The piazza became a showcase of Baroque Rome under Pope Innocent X in the seventeenth century. At its centre stands Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, whose figures represent the Nile, Ganges, Danube and Río de la Plata. Across the square, Francesco Borromini helped design the undulating facade of Sant’Agnese in Agone; the Fontana del Moro and Fontana del Nettuno mark the piazza’s southern and northern ends.
Come early in the morning to see the fountains before the busiest crowds, or visit in the evening when street performers and diners bring the square to life. Piazza Navona is easy to explore on foot alongside the nearby Pantheon and Campo de’ Fiori. Restaurants directly on the square can be expensive, so consider looking a street or two away for a meal, and keep an eye on your belongings when it’s crowded.