Popolo Square Rome

Piazza del Popolo is the point at which the three most important roads in Rome converge: Via del Babuino, Via di Ripetta and the famous Via del Corso.

The square has several outstanding features. Visitors entering from the North along Via Flaminia cannot fail to miss the Porta del Popolo designed by Bernini, while at the centre of the square stands the Egyptian Obelisk dating as far back as 1200 BC. There are also three churches in Piazza del Popolo.

The most remarkable is the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo which was built in the XI century and then underwent countless changes until 1600 when Pope Alexander VII decided to have the church restored, commissioning Bernini to make it more inspired and Baroque in style. Inside this marvellous church are works by Caravaggio and Pinturicchio.

The other two buildings, known as the twin churches, are also attributable to Alexander VII and determined the current configuration of Piazza del Popolo. These churches are called Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli.