Piazza del Popolo

The Piazza del Popolo, in Rome

The Piazza del Popolo is one of the vastest and most beautiful squares of Rome, dominated by an ancient Egyptian obelisk. The Rome audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this neoclassical esplanade, starting point of the famous trident of streets, at the foot of the Pincio hill.

The great square and its obelisk

You arrive on one of the most popular squares of Rome, the Piazza del Popolo, the People's Square. Its name would come from the poplars that formerly grew at this place, as much as from the Roman people. This vast oval-shaped esplanade, magnificently laid out in the nineteenth century in a neoclassical style, was for centuries the monumental entrance gate of Rome for the travellers and the pilgrims come from the north, who entered it by the Porta del Popolo. In its centre stands an ancient Egyptian obelisk, one of the oldest of the town, brought from Egypt in Antiquity. The square is lined with fountains, statues and churches, including the famous twin churches that frame the entrance of the trident, the ensemble of three straight streets that radiate towards the heart of the town. It is also from there that you reach the Pincio hill and its panoramic terrace. A place of passage, gathering and beauty, the Piazza del Popolo is a must-see stop of the discovery of Rome.

What to see

Here you enjoy one of the vastest squares of Rome, a neoclassical oval esplanade of the nineteenth century, long the entrance gate of the town by the Porta del Popolo, adorned in its centre with an ancient Egyptian obelisk, lined with fountains, statues and the famous twin churches framing the trident of streets, at the foot of the Pincio. The Piazza del Popolo is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Piazza del Popolo lies to the north of the historic centre of Rome, at the foot of the Pincio hill, reachable on foot and by public transport. It is a freely accessible public space; the churches and cafés around have their own hours. You reach the Pincio from there by the neighbouring ramps.

Where does the name of the Piazza del Popolo come from in Rome?

It would come from the poplars that formerly grew at this place, as much as from the Roman people; this vast neoclassical oval esplanade, long the entrance gate of Rome, is adorned with an ancient Egyptian obelisk and marks the start of the trident of three straight streets towards the centre.

Where is the Piazza del Popolo in Rome?

To the north of the historic centre of Rome, at the foot of the Pincio hill, in Italy.