Once a year (almost always in August) it was flooded with cold water, coming from the aqueducts nearby in order to bring refreshment to the people during the hottest days of … While this tradition has now stopped, the square is still a place for entertainment: street artists (and vendors) flock here and over, Christmas, the square still hosts the city’s most famous Christmas market. When this piazza was the stadium of Domitian, it was used a space for games, in Latin a ‘circus agonalis’ and places in the square would be referred as being ‘in agone’. The area around Piazza Navona and the Pantheon is probably one of the most trafficked areas of Rome. The area of the square corresponds to the former arena, which was then six meters lower. Through it, they wanted to celebrate their nobility, which had been overshadowed by the political and social rise of their rival families, the Farneses and Barberinis. The Piazza Navona in the 19th century It is said that the name Navona has its origins in the “inagonis”. Please note: this post contains affiliate links and, should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Very special summer parades began across the little lake. 2.1 The Church of Santa Maria del Sacro Cuore (Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore) 3 Baroque epoch. It was used for festivals, athletic competitions, and then turned into an open-air market. Half-day Tours. The 3 fountains were among the highlights of the Piazza Navona. As the city declined in the 3rd and 4 th centuries, the populace pulled back from the area, leaving it to deteriorate. If you look at the piazza from above or even just walk along its perimeter, you can still see its oval shape: the stadium/piazza has two long parallel sides and two shorter, semicircular ones that create the shape of a racing course. It was completely covered in white marble and could seated up to 30,000 people. The arena was used for different sporting events and also public gatherings. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign. fountain one of the most beautiful in Rome. Piazza Navona is built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, which was constructed in the 100s AD. The site was hence not only a sports venue but also a cultural center. Piazza Navona also hosts one of the most picturesque local markets in Rome, proud of 100 years of history. Fun fact! Pope Innocent even organised so-called ‘water games’ during the hot summer … The Piazza Navona in our time The Piazza Navona – view from the southern end . The obelisk, like all the others in Rome, was brought from Egypt. Piazza Navona is in Rome city center, in the neighborhood called Rione Parione. Date built: 1st century AD. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Rome – the city of visible history, where the past of a whole hemisphere seems moving in funeral procession with strange ancestral images and trophies gathered from afar.” – George Eliot, novelist. Its name, Navona, meaning ‘big ship’, refers to the flooding of the area and the mock naval battles once held there. Two other fountains … At the southern end is the Fontana del Moro. Construction was completed in 86AD. The piazza was originally commissioned to be built in 80 AD but wasn’t a piazza. Your email address will not be published. Olimpia’s idea was to recreate, in this historical plaza, the classical entertainment of staging naval battles. Piazza Navona is one of the Roman's most treasured piazzas; here, in centuries past, acrobats and jugglers performed and even today, it's still lively with painters and street performers that put on their shows for tourists and passersby, new spectators of that life that's always flowed though the piazza with movement and joy. It was even, for a short while, used to stage gladiatorial contests. However, the construction was later taken over by Bernini in which the fountain had 4 figures that represent the 4 continents. Piazza Navona is one of the easiest historical locations to visit in Rome with kids in tow. Its current aspect is a consequence of the patronage from one of the most well-known patrician families, the Pamphilis. In the 15th century, following the will of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Pamphilj, who became Pope with the name of Innocenzo X in 1664, the ancient stadium of Domitian was paved and Piazza Navona was created. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Piazza Navona, a large city square located in Rome, Italy, was built during the first century AD. Kids usually love to take a ride on the carousel, which is an authentic German piece from 1896, while grown-ups discover artisan products sold at the stalls. About Piazza Navona: Probably one of the most visited tourist areas in Rome, Piazza Navona was originally the site of the Stadium of Domitian – where festivals and sporting events took place, which is why it has a long oval shape. Piazza Navona. But it turned perfect for common people too. This is probably one of the most popular square of Rome, with its distinctive shape and the famous fountain made by Bernini. For me, the world's most beautiful square is Piazza Navona, in Rome. Today’s tale is about the church of S. Agnese in Agone, in Piazza Navona, a story that spans between the Ancient and the Baroque Rome. Even the obelisk of Piazza Navona was built much later. The first and most obvious is that it is simply stunning. The color of the pen is taken from the tan colored marble of a central fountain (Fountain of the Four Rivers) built in 1651 by Lorenzo Bernini. Along the two smaller sides of the square sit two more fountains, both by Dalla Porta. The base of the fountain is a basin from the centre of which travertine rocks rise to … … This is a shame as it sure must have been fun! Piazza Navona is an enviable location to call home in Rome. 2. @2019 - All Right Reserved. Piazza Navona was built on the foundations of a stadium constructed for Emperor Domitian in the 1st century C.E. The stadium was used mostly for the athletic purposes, contests of wit and physical fitness. The best time to visit is the early morning, before 10 am, and the night, when the lights make it grand yet intimate, imposing yet welcoming. The … But a strong contender must surely be the magnificent Piazza Navona. In 1936, when the houses built on the curved side of the Stadium were demolished, it was possible to uncover a portion of the cavea, where one of the main entrances was located. It was nearly 276 meters in length and 106 meters in width. Piazza Navona has 3 fountains, the most famous of which is the so-called ‘Fontana dei quattro fiumi’ in its center, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. From December until the 6th of January, following the Roman tradition, you can find stalls selling Christmas decorations, candies and socks! Pope Innocent X decided to embellish the fountain at the centre of the square for the Jubilee Year 1650. In 86 CE, emperor Domitian commissioned this square with its unique, elongated shape. Location: city centre, west of the Via Del Corso in the Campus Martius. The fountain towers in the center of the piazza and has an interesting story. As a tourist you can here find the usual range of souvenirs. This shape is the result of its original function as the stadium for athletics competitions (Circus Agonalis) with stands for 20,000 spectators. They are both beautiful and also are at the center of a very special event that used to take place between 1652 and 1886: the turning of Piazza Navona into a lake! In the last years of the 15th century, the place was declared as a public space and Novena Square was constructed. Photo by Zasch Dischner Modern day Piazza Navona sits neatly over the stadium’s interior arena, an area larger than that of the Coliseum’s (arena), while the original arcades sit beneath the buildings that line the square today. Surely the well-mannered neo-classicist would not allow himself to be influenced by the ‘licentious’ curves of Borromini. Built over the 1st-century Stadio di Domiziano, it was paved over in the 15th century and for almost 300 years hosted the city's main market.Its grand centrepiece is Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, a flamboyant fountain featuring an … From a very young age, she began her social climbing activities. There are many fantastic sights to see in the popular Italian city of Rome, from Vatican City to the Colosseum and much more. 4.1 The … This is a stunning building with impressive ceilings and interesting old photos of the city, including a reconstruction of the Trevi fountain made of cork! The Pope had water brought to square from the Aqueduct of the Acqua Vergine. The Piazza Navona is placed just west of the Pantheon. In 1647 Innocenzo X started designing a new asset for the square. The shape of the current square reproduces precisely the perimeter of the ancient stadium that the emperor built in 86 AD for athletics competitions and horse racing. Required fields are marked *. However, only a few know that the piazza is actually built on the ancient Stadium of Domitian. Della Porta during the reign of the Pope Gregorio XIII Boncompagni. This is where the well-known Borromini vs Bernini saga begins. But what is so special about Piazza Navona, what there is to see and how can you get there? complete selection of the best hotels near Piazza Navona here. Piazza Navona Building history The stadium was built in blocks – mainly of travertine, and was commissioned by the Emperor Domitian. After all, ... Emperor Domitian had the stadium built in 86AD, hosting around 30,000 spectators for athletic games. My name is Marta, I am a travel-loving mama born and bred in that messy, wonderful, infuriating, awe-inspiring unbelievably beautiful city that is Rome. Fontana del Moro, Piazza Navona. Houses were built on the ruins which still has the shape of the stadium and so arose the Piazza Navona. Today, Piazza Navona, is a market place with restaurants and cafés, and alsoartist that sells painting or make a portrait of you. The piazza itself took its shape as the stadium's building crumbled over time. In 86 AD the Emperor Domitian reconstructed a stadium that was originally built by Caesar and Augustus. Originally built as a stadium in the first century for athletic contests and chariot races, Piazza Navona is lined with luxurious cafes and Baroque palaces and is the home to three lavish fountains. They say that the statue representing Rio de la Plata is covering his eyes because he is terrified the church may collapse on him, while the statue of Santa Agnese on the church has her hand on her heart to reassure him of the church stability! The Piazza Navona was mainly used for several games and events and is a popular tourist attraction. Book In Advance . Piazza Navona is one of the main places of interest in Italy and many tourists visit it as a result. The rectangular stadium was used for contests of physical fitness, athletics and also of wit. It’s located in the historic center of Rome. Piazza Navona, a 15 th century oblong square, is the remains of Circus Agonalis, a former sporting stadium built by Emperor Domitian in 86 BC. Open today: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM. Della Porta during the reign of the Pope Gregorio XIII Boncompagni. The visual impact on the visitor is always strong and this is why I believe the piazza itself, even before you dig into its architectural gems, is worth a visit. Your email address will not be published. Stephanie spent time at Piazza Navona while studying abroad, and was fascinated by the beauty of the history that Piazza Navona held, as well as the potential that existed there for it to be a magnificent place for generations to come. It was built in the 1st Century AD on an earlier site of Domitian’ stadium, which was constructed by the Emperor Domitian in 86 AD. For generations… Rather, it was a stadium! About Piazza Navona: Probably one of the most visited tourist areas in Rome, Piazza Navona was originally the site of the Stadium of Domitian – where festivals and sporting events took place, which is why it has a long oval shape. Built on the site of a stadium - Piazza Navona. completely got renovated and the Pope Innocent 10 th, … The museum is worth visiting and it also has stunning views over the piazza from its 3rd floor. It is very popular, not only because of its picturesque appearance, but also due to other … In the early Renaissance, the stadium was paved over, and Piazza Navona was created. Here, the second name of the stadium is Agons arena and Navona Square got its name thanks to this term.In the 1st century A.D. the stadium was called “Campus Agonis”, while closer to the Middle Ages this form transformed into “n’agone”. Among the artists and tourists blocks – mainly of travertine, and arenas were on... 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