Undeniably the most elegant and cheerful of all Roman piazzas, it was built on the site of Stadium of Domitian in the 1st Century A.D. and still preserves its outline.

Used in ancient times for various athletic games and competitions, although it never witnessed the carnage offered in the Colosseum, today tourists often enjoy sitting for street artists who, on request,  in a few minutes either sketch a faithful portrait or draw a caricature of their models.

Over Christmas, the piazza is suddenly swamped by a bustling multi-coloured market, selling cribs, decorations and sweets. A treat for young children, it reaches its height of excitement on the night of 5th January, when the “Befana” (The Good Witch) flies about the country, delivering presents to “well-behaved “

children.

On entering the piazza, one is immediately taken aback by such elegance: the yellow, brownish ochre-coloured buildings, Bernini’s fountain and the celebrated Spanish Steps rising up towards the Church of Trinità dei Monti, all helping to create a refined, eighteenth century atmosphere.

It is therefore no coincidence

that high-fashion

brands, such as Gucci,

Bulgari and Valentino, all have show-piece shops just off the

piazza.Home to English poets John Keats and Percy

Bysshe Shelley, the world-famous piazza, located at the foot of the Pincio Hill, has always been

considered both a priceless cultural gem as well as popular tourist attraction.

“Il Babuino”, Via Ripetta and Via del Corso are the three main roads flowing into Piazza del PopoloThe square’s fame

spread worldwide over the years as a site for public executions, fairs, carnivals, games and competitions and as a symbol of Renaissance papal patronage.

The traveller is greeted on his arrival with Bernini’s inscription over the northern gate, Porta del Popolo, “Felice faustoque ingressini MDCLV” “For a happy and blessed entrance”; a message left for Queen Christina on her arrival in Rome following her conversion to Roman Catholicism. Today it welcomes the millions of  visitors who annually flock here to admire the piazza’s cultural and historical splendour.

The piazza’s charm is principally heightened by the twin Churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria di Montesanto, the obelisk Flaminio, which is the oldest and second tallest in Rome and the two Valadier fountains.

Standing at one end of this exquisite piazza, designed by Neoclassical Architect Giuseppe

Valadier between 1811 and 1822, and alongside the gate, is the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo.  Built on the burial site of Emperor Nero, it is an

artistic treasure house under whose roof may be found several major works, including two

magnificent paintings by Caravaggio.

The piazza is of course dominated by the overpowering“Altare della Patria” (Altar of the Fatherland) a

monumentto honour Victor Emanuel II, unified Italy’s first king,

whichis however also often unsympathetically referred to as

either the “wedding cake” or the “typewriter”.

Lying at its foot and guarded by two soldiers is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Incorporated in the massive pure white marble structure, which was built between 1885 and 1905, it serves to honour and remember

every soldier who lost his life during the First World War and who remains unidentified. It was precisely from Palazzo Venezia that Dictator Benito Mussolini gave his rabble-rousing speeches.

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