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Piazza del Popolo, Rome

Piazza del Popolo - Rome
Piazza del Popolo
by sandysmith
Piazza del Popolo tips and photos posted by real travelers and Rome locals.
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Piazza del Popolo: Piazza del Popolo - Popular with the people
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  • icunme
  • Updated By icunme on May 22, 2006
  • Rome Page by icunme
  • Easter Sunday - obelisk cloaked for her facelift - Rome
    Easter Sunday - obelisk
    cloaked for her facelift
    by icunme, 4 more photos
    (popolo=people, but in this case Popolo derives from pioppo=poplar) - Either way, everyone loves this huge Piazza so we can say it is popular with the people - Romans and tourists. This looks like an aerial view but it was taken on Easter Sunday 2006 from a vantage point at Villa Borghese overlooking the Piazza. The photos will be updated when work on the obelisk is complete.
    A bit of background that I found - In 1816 Giuseppe Valadier redesigned Piazza del Popolo and the Pincio (the hill overlooking Piazza del Popolo) for Pius VII. At the center of the square the obelisk was placed here in 1589 by Domenico Fontana as part of the urban plan of Sixtus V. It was originally erected in Heliopolis and it was brought to Rome and placed in the Circus Maximus by Augustus. It is dedicated to Rameses II and is topped by the mountains and the star of Sixtus V.
    This first view shows her obelisk properly clothed on Easter Sunday as she undergoes her facelift. In the second view from within the Piazza you will note Valadier designed two hemicycles (semi-circles) (here the side towards the Pincio) around the obelisk to which he added fountains and Egyptian lions. Detail of the obelisk is shown in photo 3. The statues of the four seasons (below Summer) are located at the beginning of the streets going up to the Tiber or the Pincio. Two large marble groups are at the center of each hemicycle. In the 4th photo you can see a detail of Neptune between two tritons, a typical Baroque theme developed in neoclassical style. The inner side of Porta del Popolo (photo 5) celebrates the entry into Rome of Queen Christina of Sweden in 1655, but the decoration (by Bernini) is actually a celebration of Alexander VII, whose coat of arms had six mountains and a star. However in the festoon he united the oak branches of Alexander VII with the ears of wheat of the Vasa (or Wasa), the Swedish royal family.

    Photo and reference text by permission Robert Piperno to be used for non-commercial purpose only.

  • Address: Piazza del Popolo, Rome
  • Directions: Below Villa Borghese - Metro M (Flaminia)
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    Piazza del Popolo: Piazza del Popolo
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  • sue_stone
  • By sue_stone on November 8, 2004
  • Rome Page by sue_stone
  • Piazza del Popolo - Rome
    Piazza del Popolo
    by sue_stone, 4 more photos
    Piazza del Popolo is a large piazza that was originally the site of festivals and public executions.

    It is home to four Egyptian-style lion fountains and one of Rome's oldest Obelisks. At one end of the square there are 2 symmetrical churches.

    It is located close to the Villa Borghese and not far from Piazza di Spagna.

    We wandered up here for a look and were impressed by the Piazza's spaciousness and variety of features.

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  • Directions: At the northern end of Via del Corso
  • Website: http://www.aviewoncities.com/rome/piazzadelpopolo.htm
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    Piazza del Popolo: 1658 - twin churches.
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  • belgianchocolate
  • By belgianchocolate on July 18, 2004
  • Rome Page by belgianchocolate
  • Piazza del Popolo - Rome
    by belgianchocolate
    .
    In 1658 ,' pope Alexander VII' ordered the design
    for these two churches.'Carlo Rainaldi'
    was the chosen one. He had to be creative.
    The pope wanted an harmonious square
    with two churches.
    the 'Santa Maria in Monsanto' on the left and
    on the other side of the via del Corso the
    'santa Maria in Montesanto'.

    But the surface for both churches wasn't the
    same. The space for the 'Santa maria in
    Montesanto' was smaller then for the other
    church. That is why one on the left has an
    oval dome and the 'Santa Maria dei Miracoli'
    has a round one.

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  • Address: Piazza del popolo.
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    Piazza del Popolo: 1589 - The Flaminio Obelisk
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  • belgianchocolate
  • By belgianchocolate on July 18, 2004
  • Rome Page by belgianchocolate
  • Piazza del Popolo - Rome
    by belgianchocolate

    If you have ver been in Rome you know there
    are a lot of 'obelisks' decorating the squares.
    Well if you rule the world you can take whatever
    you want with you? True or false.

    The one on 'Piazza del Popolo' comes from
    Heliopolis where 'Seti I and Ramses II' had
    placed it in front of the temple of the sun.
    We are talking 1200 years before our calender
    even started.

    'Augustus 'still neede some decoration for his
    'Circus Maximus.' After the emperor it was the
    pope who had an eye on this obelisk and in
    1589 'Sictus V'b placed it on the Piazza del Popolo.

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  • Address: Piazza del popolo.
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    Piazza del Popolo: Some souvenirs!
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  • TheWanderingCamel
  • Updated By TheWanderingCamel on August 11, 2008
  • Rome Page by TheWanderingCamel
  • Rameses II's obelisk in P. delle Popolo - Rome
    Rameses II's obelisk in
    P. delle Popolo
    by TheWanderingCamel,
    4 more photos
    Even the most avid souvenir collector would have trouble matching the efforts of some of Rome's emperors , and modern day luggage allowances would be stretched to the limit too. Finding somewhere to put an Egyptian obelisk once you got it home could pose a problem as well.

    None of these things got in the way of the Romans who, like almost all who have followed them to the great Kingdom on the Nile, fell under the thrall of this extraordinary civilization. It wasn't just Cleopatra who bewitched the greatest generals of their day - the first emperor, Augustus, was sometimes portrayed as an Egyptian Pharaoh, the gods of the Nile were admitted to the Roman Pantheon and it was Augustus who brought two Egyptian obelisks back to Rome, the first of many that appeared in the city, both authentically Egyptian and Roman copies, over the next 300 years. By the mid-16th century, all but one were in ruins, broken and scattered, exotic remnants of the Rome that was gone.

    Thirteen are standing today, repaired and placed in strategic places in the urban renewal that took place under Pope Sixtus V, their pagan origins muted by the addition of Christian crosses and papal symbols. You'll find some of them at:

    Piazza del Popolo - one of those brought to Rome by Augustus in 30BC, this obelisk was first erected by Rameses II in Heliopolis and dedicated to the sun. In Roman times it stood in the middle of the Circus Maximus.

    Piazza delle Quirinale - this is one of a pair of obelisks that guarded the entrance to Augustus' mausoleum. It has no heiroglyphs and is flanked by huge sculptures of Castor and Pollux that were moved here from the Baths of Constantine at the same time as the obelisk was erected.

    Piazza Navona - currently rising out of a hoarding rather than the magnificent Bernini fountain which is currently undergoing restoration. A Roman obelisk, it was originally erected by Domitian after the fire that destroyed much of the city (including many of the buildings in the Forum) in 80AD.

    Piazza della Rotunda (outside the Pantheon) - a small Egyptian obelisk from Heliopolis.

    Piazza di Santa Maria sopra Minerva - another small Egyptian obelisk, this one sits atop a delicious sculpture of an elephant - the idea of Bernini, though not his work.

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    Piazza del Popolo: PIAZZA DEL POPOLO
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  • ruki
  • By ruki on August 16, 2005
  • Rome Page by ruki
  • Piazza del Popolo - Rome
    by ruki
    It’s one of the most characteristic areas of neoclassical Rome. On the square there are statues of the Four Seasons, while the center is emphasized by the two fountains, Neptune and the Tritons and Rome between the Tiber and the Aniene River.

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    Piazza del Popolo: Piazza del Popolo
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  • chiara76
  • By chiara76 on November 7, 2004
  • Rome Page by chiara76
  • The square. - Rome
    The square.
    by chiara76
    The place with the Egyptian obelisk, nice fountains and few nice Churches like the Church Santa Maria del Popolo where you can see two great paintings of Carravagio.
    There are also two churches called Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Monte Santo which close the street Via del Corso.
    The gate on this square was designed by Michael Angelo.

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  • Address: Piazza del Popolo
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    Piazza del Popolo: Piazza del Popolo
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  • Polly74
  • Updated By Polly74 on May 20, 2004
  • Rome Page by Polly74
  • Piazza del Popolo - Rome
    Piazza del Popolo
    by Polly74
    The southern end of the square marks the start of three major streets: V.d. Corso, which runs to P. Venezia; V.d. Ripetta on the right, built by Leo X for service to the Vatican; and V.d. Babuino on the left. Outside the Porta del Popolo (Bernini designed its southern facade) is an entrance to the Villa Borghese.

    The church of Santa Maria del Popolo with its many works of Caravaggio, the twin baroque churches and the obelisque of RamsesII all contribute to the beauty and importance of this square.
    However, this square has a more sinister past funtioning as a theatre for public executions in the 18° and 19° centuries

    Just sit in the sun, under the obelisque you find in the middle of the square, and look around...it would be interesting!

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  • Address: Piazza del Popolo
  • Directions: Metro: A-Flaminio. Exit the station and pass under the city walls to the northern entrance to the piazza
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    Piazza del Popolo: Piazza del Popolo
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  • Rhondaj
  • Updated By Rhondaj on September 4, 2006
  • Rome Page by Rhondaj
  • Just inside the gate - Rome
    Just inside the gate
    by Rhondaj
    There is so much to see in the large, open piazza. Dominating the center is the 36 metres high oblelisk from Heliopolis, brought to Rome by Augustus, first diplayed in Circus Maximus. Moved here to this piazza by Pope Sixtus V in 1589. (Do you know people, that everytime you go to their house, they've rearranged their furniture? Well, that's what the ancient Romans were like, always moving things around...)

    As luck would have it, for us, the obelisk (July '06) is covered for restoration!!! But we could pet the four water spitting lions at the base...

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    Piazza del Popolo: Piazza del Popolo
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  • Andraf
  • Updated By Andraf on January 25, 2004
  • Rome Page by Andraf
  • Piazza del Popolo, Rome - Rome
    Piazza del Popolo, Rome
    by Andraf
    This is one of the most beautiful piazzas in Rome and the effect of the twin churches is amazing. My guide mentioned that the two baroque churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto are not exactly alike, but they do look alike on a first sight and the impression one gets is of something unforgettable. The piazza was created by Latino Giovenale Manetti in 1538 for Pope Paul III and the twin churches were added in the 17th century. The present symmetry was given by the neoclassical architect Giuseppe Valadier in the early 1800's. In the middle of the square lies a 3000 years old obelisk framed by four small fountains with lions. The piazza is closed to automotive traffic so you can stroll at your own pace and enjoy the sights.

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  • Address: Piazza del Popolo
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