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Piazza Navona is one of the most famous and beautiful of the many other Roman squares.
It is build like such in 16-th century.
Before that on its place has stayed the stadium of Domitian,built by emperor Domitian in 86 AD.
It used to hold up to 30 thousand spectators. Also it is known that it had larger arena than the Colosseum.
The stadium was used for festivals and sporting events. It is known also as Circus Agonalis.
In the 15-th century the stadium was paved over to form the Navona square.
Even today there are still visible some remnants of Domitian’s stadium.

There 3 magnificent fountains at the square and also the baroque style church of S. Agnese.
One of the fountain is made by the great architect and sculptor Bernini between 1648 and 1651.
It is called the Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi) and is in the center of the square. It is like huge rock coming out of the water.

Another fountain is Fontana del Nettuno. It is created by Giacomo Della Porta around 1576.
It is situated on the north side of the square, exactly opposite of the third fountain: Fontana del Moro which is on the south side.

Today Piazza Navona is a beautiful popular place where people go out for a walk or to visit some of the best restaurants and coffee places and enjoy the view created so many years ago by some of the best artists.

For any one in Rome, visitor or resident, Piazza Navona always will have an enchanting atmosphere, and if you wish to know all about it then a tour is in order. The Navona Piazza follows the plan of an ancient roman circus which used to be called the Stadium of Domitian, then was later used as a market place and nowadays is the pride of the Baroque Rome.

This walking tour starts indeed in Piazza Navona, where both Bernini and Borromini have left grand masterpieces of architecture : Mainly the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi by Bernini placed in the middle of the square, and across the church Sant’Agnese in Agone by Borromini. The square is near the Spanish Steps and Via Veneto, close by Rome B&B De Cappuccini and the Rome American Embassy.

You will start off with the visit of the Dome of Santa Ivo alla Sapienza, which was realised by Borromini then you will stroll towards the Saint Louis of the French where Caravaggio has famous canvases.

The tour ends in The Pantheon, one of Rome’s major architecture prowess of the ancient times, located in the historical centre of Rome, in easy reach from your Yes Hotel Rome. It was originally built as a temple in 27 BC and had adjoining baths and gardens. The Pantheon then became a christian church as from the 7th century still running nowadays. 2 kings of Italy are buried : Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I.

The tour is daily and lasts about 3 hours and you can book your Piazza Navona Rome tour here.

When ? Between 1 december 2006 and 6 january 2007, all day long until late at night.

What ? This year again in Piazza Navona in Rome is taking place the traditional Christmas market. The star of this event is no doubt the “Befana�, the witch children adore so much ! The Befana is represented in many ways and looks.
The square fills up with stalls that propose food specialities, other that have the Christmas socks with a wide choice of chocolates and sweets for all tastes. You will also find artisans that have on show and sale the traditional Christmas decorations and mangers to put under your tree.
An old Austrian roundabout with its horses play music and go round and round for the fun of the younger and older crowds.
And in the middle of Piazza Navona is a huge manger, different every year.

The atmosphere is light and festive, and people of all ages will just love it. And if you have a sweet tooth you cannot miss this event.
Apart from this event you will be able to admire the beautiful fountains designed by Bernini who also has numerous works exposed in the Galleria Borghese ; the most impressive fountain in Piazza Navona is certainly the Fontana dei Fiumi.

Where ? Piazza Navona is in the centre of Rome, not far from the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps and for those who prefer a guided tour you can book here. It is in easy reach of our accommodation and hotel My Hotel Rome.

How to get there ? From our hotel My Hotel, walk to Termini station, where an exceptional exhibition of Caravaggio is taking place and take bus 70. A 15 min trip, and you get off in Corso Rinascimento : Piazza Navona is just behind.