"HISTORY and POPOLO SQUARE"

PIAZZA DEL POPOLO - ROME

PIAZZA DEL POPOLO - ROME

Piazza del Popolo has been reshaped many times during its history but certainly today the result is an evocative wide open space revealing its identity through a wise use of the symmetry puts mainly in evidence by two twin churches Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto and through the presence of the central fountain with an egyptian obelisk dating back to the XIII century b.C. brought to Rome by Emperor Ottaviano Augusto probably after his victory on Antonio and Cleopatra and once erected in the Circo Massimo. The obelisk was finally placed here in obedience of Pope Sisto V's wish in 1589.

Piazza del Popolo has always been a traditional entrance to Rome as here it arrives the ancient "Via Flaminia" connecting Rome to Rimini or better ancient Rome to all the rest of the world after the Appennini Mountain. During the time and mainly during the Middle Age this had been a natural passage to enter to Rome or to go to Northern cities such as Assisi. The street was built from 223 to 219 b.C. by censor Caio Flaminio who later died in Trasimeno battle against Annibale in 217 b.C. Flaminia Door was projected by architect Nanni di Baccio Bigio who shown to have been inspired by the triunphal arches of Rome. The interior of the door is decorated on a Bernini's project.

Coming back to the square there's a real curiosity to know on the twin churches projected by architect Carlo Rainaldi. He had to face the problem of the lack of space to give a symmetry to the square. To solve this matter he revealed his skill by thinking two churches with different domes, one circular and the other oval shaped. The result is extraordinary: the two churches seem really the same. From the two twin churches it starts the Via del Corso who brings to Victor Emmanuel II Monument, Campidoglio Square and Roman Forum.