Rome.us
  • TAXI FARES CALCULATOR
  • BOOK PRIVATE TOUR
  • ABOUT US
  • TIPS
    • How to Choose a Hotel in Rome
    • Tickets to Vatican museums
    • Rome Three Day Itinerary
    • 2025 Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee
    • Rainy Days in Rome
    • Buying a Sim Card in Italy
    • Renting a Car in Rome
    • Apps for Tourists
    • Souvenirs from Rome
    • Free Things to Do
    • Unusual Things to do
    • Public Transport
    • Shopping
    • Instagram
    • ASK US
    • Pinterest
  • WHERE TO STAY
    • Hotels with Best Views
    • Hotels near Termini
    • Hotels near the Colloseum
    • Hotels near Navona Square
    • 3 Star Hotels
    • 4 Star Hotels
    • 5 Star Hotels
    • Apartments For Rent
    • Best Hostels
  • WHAT TO SEE
    • Colosseum
    • Pantheon
    • Borghese Gallery
    • Roman Forum
    • Trevi Fountain
    • Spanish Steps
    • Castel Sant’Angelo
    • Navona Square
    • Ancient Sites and Ruins
    • Caravaggio’s Paintings
    • Churches
    • Galleries and Museums
    • Parks and Gardens
    • Squares and Fountains
    • Hills
  • VATICAN CITY
    • St Peter’s Basilica
    • Sistine Chapel
    • Vatican Museums
    • Raphael’s Rooms
    • Michelangelo’s Pieta
    • St Peters Dome
    • St Peter’s Square
    • Vatican Gardens
    • Vatican Military
    • Swiss Guard
  • DAY TRIPS
    • To Tivoli
    • To Ostia Antica
    • Beaches near Rome
    • To Alberobello
  • WEATHER: WHAT TO WEAR?
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • HOW TO GET
    • Fiumicino Airport
    • Ciampino Airport
    • Termini Railway Station
    • To Venice
    • To Florence
    • To Ostia Antica
    • To Naples
    • To Milan
    • To Pisa
    • To Siena
  • WHERE TO EAT
    • Famous Roman Dishes
    • Best Pizza Places
    • Best Pasta Places
    • Local Italian Food
    • Best Gelato Places
    • Best Rooftop Bars
  • NEIGHBORHOODS
    • Campo Marzio
    • Jewish Ghetto Quarters
    • Quartiere Coppedè
    • Monti
    • Sant’Eustachio
    • Trastevere
    • Trevi
  • EMPERORS
    • Marcus Aurelius
    • Gaius Julius Caesar
    • Nero
    • Octavian Augustus
    • Caligula
    • Hadrian
    • Vespasian
    • Commodus
    • Trajan
Home / Fountains and Squares /

Piazza del Popolo

Written by: Kate Zusmann

Piazza del Popolo and twim churches in Rome, Italy
Closest bus stops
Villa Borghese/Washington5 min 237 m: 61 160
Passeggiata Ripetta5 min 246 m: 628
Closest subway stations
Lepanto18 min 879 m: A
Ottaviano 31 min 1.5 km: A
Address Piazza del Popolo, Roma

Piazza del Popolo is located between the Pincio district and the banks of the Tiber River. There are churches, fountains, monuments, and ancient and modern marble memoirs on the square. It was rebuilt by a Valadier architect in 1834, who designed two half-laps to the Obelisk.

Contents

Toggle
  • History
  • What to See on Piazza del Popolo?
  • In What Locations in Piazza del Popolo Were Shots of the Movie Angels and Demons filmed?
  • Hotels near Piazza del Popolo
  • Restaurants near Piazza del Popolo
  • Nearby Attractions

History

Piazza del Popolo is the site where foreigners arrived in the city during the era of the Empire. The church of Santa Maria del Popolo is on the left side of the square, which was rebuilt by Baccio Pontelli and Andrea Bregno between 1472 and 1477. The church hosts paintings and sculptures by Caravaggio, Pinturicchio, Carracci, Raffaello, Bernini, and Bramante.

Piazza del Popolo in Rome

The square is named after the poplar tree

Rome’s Northern entrance served as a vestibule into the city through the gate in the Aurelian Walls. It was known as Porta del Popolo, but the name was changed several times. Initially, it was called Porta Flaminia, and Emperor Aurelianus commissioned the construction. Then, during the Early Medieval period, the name was changed to Porta San Valentino because of the nearby catacomb. Finally, Porta del Popolo was the official name because the church adjoining the gate is Santa Maria del Popolo.

Also, in the Middle Ages, the square was named Piazza del Trullo, after the fountain with statues in its center. This fountain was moved to Piazza Nicosia to make four fountains with Egyptian lions. It was under the supervision of Domenico Fontana.

In 1655, the Swedish Queen Christina arrived in Rome through Porta del Popolo. Bernini had been commissioned to remake the inner façade of the gate before her arrival. A plaque appeared above the arch with the sign “FELICI FAUSTOQUE INGRESSUI MDCLV” (For a Happy and Propitious Entrance), which you can see nowadays. Moreover, the Queen decided to spend all her life in Rome after her visit.

statues Piazza del Popolo Rome

By the end of the 1700s, during the Napoleonic invasion, there was an increase in visitors and pilgrims who came to Rome through Porta del Popolo. For this reason, the square was modernized. Moreover, during the Napoleonic epoch, Touron was head of the “Commission of Embellishments” in the Eternal City. Valadier was under his commission to redesign the square. Works began in 1816 and ended in 1824. Three buildings remained untouched: Santa Maria del Popolo, Santa Maria di Montesanto, and Santa Maria dei Miracoli.

After the lateral structures were removed and the square acquired an ellipse form.

The fountain of Neptune between statues of the two tritons and the Goddess Rome was added in 1823, at the time of the reign of Pope Leo XII. Piazza del Popolo became accessible from each side. Moreover, the square became accessible to the park on the above hill, now known as Villa Borghese. Today, the three churches on the square are dedicated to the Virgin and surround the Obelisk dedicated to the pagan Sun god.

At the square’s southern end, you can find two famous symmetrical churches: the Santa Maria dei Miracoli and the Santa Maria in Montesanto. Pope Alexander VII commissioned them in 1658, and Carlo Rainaldi designed both.

The churches are not identical because the surface area of the plot of the Santa Maria in Montesanto was smaller on the left side.

However, to give the impression of symmetry, Rainaldi made an oval dome for Santa Maria in Montesanto and a circular dome for Santa Maria dei Miracoli.

Piazza del Popolo churches in Rome

It is important to note that the third church, the Santa Maria del Popolo, was built in 1477 on the site of an 11th-century chapel. There are many remarkable artworks as Rome’s oldest stained-glass windows and paintings of Caravaggio. Also, the Chigi and the Della Rovere chapels created by Raphael were covered with 15th-century frescoes.

What to See on Piazza del Popolo?

  1. Two almost identical churches, Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria di Monte Santo
  2. Santa Maria del Popolo Church
  3. The gate of the Aurelian wall, Porta del Popolo
  4. Egyptian Obelisk, which originally stood in the Circus Maximus. It is one of the largest and oldest obelisks in Rome
  5. Fontana dell’Obelisco
  6. Fontana del Nettuno

Piazza del Popolo in Rome

In What Locations in Piazza del Popolo Were Shots of the Movie Angels and Demons filmed?

“Angels & Demons” (2009) is a thriller novel by Dan Brown, and it is the prequel to his worldwide bestseller, “The Da Vinci Code.” The book centers on a symbologist named Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), who is called to a Swiss research facility (CERN) to analyze a mysterious symbol seared into the chest of a murdered physicist. The symbol leads Langdon on an intense and dangerous chase through some of the most famous landmarks in Rome, including the Piazza del Popolo.

Tom Hanks Angels & Demons Santa Maria del Popolo church Rome

In “Angels & Demons”, the Piazza del Popolo is one of the “Altars of Science” in the Path of Illumination (a path used as a means to the Illuminati’s secret meeting place). The Path of Illumination is marked by statues of angels holding elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.

The Chigi Chapel in the Santa Maria del Popolo church, located in Piazza del Popolo, is the Earth altar in the novel. Here, Langdon finds the first murdered preferiti (a favorite to become the new Pope) with the ambigrammatic word “Earth” branded into his chest. The chapel also contains sculptures by Bernini, who plays a central role in the novel’s storyline.

Here is a transcript of the dialogue when Professor Langdon is standing next to the Chigi Chapel:

Is it Raphael?

LANGDON: The chapel is Raphael. But the sculptures are Bernini. The unknown Illuminati master.

Bernini?

LANGDON: He worked for the Church. Almost exclusively. But the Illuminati were infiltrators. There wasn’t a powerful organization on earth, they didn’t penetrate including the Vatican by hiding in plain sight.

LANGDON: Habakkuk and the Angel.

He’s the prophet that predicted the annihilation of the Earth.

Habakkuk and the Angel movie Angels and Demons scene Chigi Chapel in the Santa Maria del Popolo church

LANGDON: “Let angels guide thee on thy lofty quest.” This is the first marker. The path is alive. Southwest. It was pointing southwest. Earth, air, fire, water. We’re looking for a Bernini sculpture having something to do with air. The second church is somewhere southwest of here.

You’re sure this time?

LANGDON: I need a map showing all the churches of Rome. I could use it now!

It’s worth noting that the novel is a work of fiction, and while it uses real locations and some historical events or figures as part of its narrative, the story itself, including the “Path of Illumination,” is entirely made up by the author.

Hotels near Piazza del Popolo

There are many excellent hotels near Piazza del Popolo. This area is convenient for staying if you are interested in shopping and the most famous sites of Rome.

3 Best hotels nearby:

  1. Rocco Forte Hotel De Russie – located on Via del Babuino, this hotel has views of Piazza del Popolo. There are spacious rooms and a gourmet restaurant. Moreover, guests can relax in the spa center with a sauna, Turkish bath, and salt-water hydro-massage pool.
  2. Hotel Piranesi – is an elegant boutique hotel with excellent service and beautiful interiors. Also, it is surrounded by antique shops, art galleries, and designer stores. In addition, hotel Piranesi has a rooftop garden with views of Rome’s historic center.
  3. Margutta 19 – offers beautiful rooms with all amenities and a restaurant with local plates. In addition, each room has a coffee machine, complimentary bathrobes, slippers, and toiletries.

Read also about the best hotels near Piazza del Popolo.

Restaurants near Piazza del Popolo

Since this is a tourist area, you should be careful in choosing a restaurant. There are several options to visit:

  1. Babette (Via Margutta, 1d) is an elegant restaurant in Via Margutta, the street set for the Roman Holiday movie. There is excellent service and cuisine based on family recipes. Moreover, there is a wide selection of desserts.
  2. Ristorante Pizzeria Popolo Caffè (Via Flaminia, 9) offers special menus with low prices and excellent quality food. The choice of plates is generous, and the service is high.
  3. Il Porto di Ripetta (Via di Ripetta, 250) has a welcoming ambiance, and the menu consists of typical Mediterranean dishes. Moreover, there is an excellent wine list. Also, this restaurant would be a perfect choice for breakfast time.

Piazza del Popolo is one of the must-see sites in Rome. It has impressive architecture with remarkable fountains, statues, churches, and an obelisk in the center of the square. Moreover, you can quickly discover the most important Roman sites within a footwalk with its great location.

Nearby Attractions

Santa Maria del Popolo
2 min 300 ft 90 m
Pincio Terrace
2 min 360 ft 110 m
Water Clock
7 min 1180 ft 360 m
Pincian Hill
7 min 1180 ft 360 m
Ara Pacis
11 min 1840 ft 560 m
Fontana della Barcaccia
15 min 2400 ft 730 m
Spanish Steps
15 min 2460 ft 750 m
Trinita dei Monti Church
15 min 2530 ft 770 m
Villa Borghese Gardens
16 min 2590 ft 790 m
Column of the Immaculate Conception
17 min 2760 ft 840 m

Author: Kate Zusmann

Kate Zusmann

I have lived in the Eternal City for the past 12 years. They say every angle of Rome has its history, and I'm here to tell you about the most intriguing historical facts and city legends. :)

Dive Deeper into Rome's Stories

Fiumicino Airport Terminal 3

21788 views

How to Get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome City Center

Visiting Sistine Chapel

932025 views

Sistine Chapel

The Borghese Gallery and Museum The Ultimate Guide for Visitors

14379 views

The Borghese Gallery and Museum

Vatican Museums Guide

988935 views

The Vatican Museums

The Colosseum

108475 views

Colosseum

Visiting Pantheon in Rome

33624 views

Pantheon

Roman Forum in Rome Italy

25135 views

Roman Forum – Ultimate Guide for Antic History Lovers

What to See in Rome

24947 views

What to See in Rome – TOP 30 Tourist Attractions & Places

Hotels with best views in Rome

7419 views

Hotels with Best Views in Rome

Show more

About us

About us ROME.US Authors Kate Zusmann and Artur Jakucewicz
2025.We're Kate and Artur, a duo bound by our shared fascination with the Eternal City – Rome. Our paths, driven by a mutual passion for its timeless stories and architectural marvels, converged in a way we had never imagined.

Explore Rome

  • Barberini Palace

    Palazzo Barberini – Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica

  • ItaloTreno how to buy tickets

    ItaloTreno 🚄 How to Buy High Speed Train Tickets in Italy

  • how to get from rome to pisa

    How to Get from Rome to Pisa

  • Mamertine Prison in Rome

    Mamertine Prison (Carcer Tullianum)

  • Best 3 Star Hotels in Rome City Center

    Best 3 Star Hotels in Rome City Center

Rome.us
  • social logo
  • social logo
  • social logo
  • social logo

This website uses cookies. For more info read the cookies policy

Rome.us © 2025. Created with love by Roman experts and guides.

  • Español