Piazza Navona

Welcome to the Piazza Navona, arguably the most beautiful square in Rome. It’s this big and rectangular as it served as a chariot-racing stadium before the Colosseum was built. It was abandoned in the 5th century after the fall of the Roman Empire, and it wasn’t until the Renaissance that it became the stunning ensemble of Baroque art you see today. They built palaces, the beautiful Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone and, of course, the three fountains. The most famous one is the Fountain of the Four Rivers designed by Bernini; it’s the one right in front of the church. It’s adorned with 4 statues representing the 4 rivers of the 4 continents. Well, Oceania’s missing, but we can’t hold that against them, can we? You’ve got the Danube for Europe, the Nile for Africa, the Rio de la Plata for America, and the Ganges for Asia. As for the obelisk, it’s actually from the Circus Maximus. The other two fountains are no less impressive! The Fountain of the Moor was also designed by Bernini, while the Fountain of Neptune was designed by the artist Giacomo della Porta. I know, the square itself is quite an eye-catcher, but be sure to check out the interior of St Agnes Church as well. Its dome is well worth a look. The church houses the tomb of Pope Innocent X and the relics of St Agnes, who was dragged naked through the streets for refusing the advances of the prefect’s son. The story goes that her hair miraculously began to grow, so much so that it covered her entire body and protected her from prying eyes.