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Square · Roma, Lazio
Piazza Navona
Elongated square in the shape of the ancient stadium of Domiciano, with Bernini's Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi and Borromini's church of Sant'Agnese in Agone.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona has the long, rounded shape of the stadium that Emperor Domiciano built in the 1st century AD for athletic competitions. Houses were built over the stands, and remains of the stadium can be seen beneath the north side of the square.
In the center is the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, completed in 1651. Four giants represent the Nile, Ganges, Danube and the Río de la Plata, one from each continent known at the time, beneath an obelisk. At the ends of the square are the Fontana del Moro and the Fontana del Nettuno.
In front of Bernini's fountain is the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, with a façade by Francesco Borromini, Bernini's rival. The Palazzo Pamphilj, belonging to the family of Pope Innocent X, who commissioned the square's renovation, occupies one side.
Today the square is a meeting point, with painters, street performers and cafés with outdoor tables. In December it usually hosts a Christmas market.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
20 to 40 minutes in the square; longer if you enter the church or sit in a café.
Best time
Early in the morning for photos with the empty square, or at night with the fountains lit and street performers.
How to get there
On foot, about 5 minutes from the Pantheon and 10 from the Castel Sant'Angelo. Buses running along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II stop a few meters away.
Tip
The cafés in the square charge more for a table with a view. The surrounding streets, such as Via del Governo Vecchio, have simpler options for eating.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Piazza Navona
What to see in Piazza Navona?
The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi by Bernini, the Fontana del Moro, the Fontana del Nettuno, and the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, with a façade by Borromini.
Why is Piazza Navona so long?
Because it follows the layout of the Stadium of Domitian from the 1st century AD. Houses were built over the old stands.
Is Piazza Navona near the Pantheon?
Yes, they are about a 5-minute walk apart. You can combine both with the Fontana di Trevi on the same walk.