why was the piazza navona built

The Piazza Navona – view from the southern end . You wouldn’t imagine, without prior knowledge, that Piazza Navona is built above the Stadium of Domitian (80 AD) in the 15th Century. The area around Piazza Navona and the Pantheon is probably one of the most trafficked areas of Rome. Here, the second name of the stadium is Agons arena and Navona Square got its name thanks to this term.In the 1st century A.D. the stadium was called “Campus Agonis”, while closer to the Middle Ages this form transformed into “n’agone”. Once a year (almost always in August) it was flooded with cold water, coming from the aqueducts nearby in order to bring refreshment to the people during the hottest days of … Piazza Navona, also known in English as Navona Square, is located in Rome’s historical center. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign. One of the many beautiful and famous squares of Rome is Piazza Navona. In 86 CE, emperor Domitian commissioned this square with its unique, elongated shape. For up to date information on traffic and bus routes, I trust 3 apps: Atac (Rome public transport network official app), Google maps and Moovit. Houses were built on the ruins which still has the shape of the stadium and so arose the Piazza Navona. During the pontificate of Pope Gregory XIII three fountains were built in Piazza Navona to serve the needs of the fruit and vegetable market. 39,251 Reviews #6 of 2,071 things to do in Rome. Through it, they wanted to celebrate their nobility, which had been overshadowed by the political and social rise of their rival families, the Farneses and Barberinis. It’s located in the historic center of Rome. In the XVI century, Pope Gregorio XIII ordered the constructions of 3 fountains here, which included a water hole for the horses and the animals who would bring produce to the market. Beginning History. The other, lesser visible reason, is the interesting history of this square: originally, this piazza was no less than the stadium of emperor Domitian turned, over the course of the centuries, medieval marketplace and now elegant city space. Bernini was not invited to submit a project, as the Pope reproached him with being too closely associated with his predecessor Pope Urban VIII and with his failure in the … Many movies set in Rome have at least one scene here: Eat, Pray, Love, La Grande Bellezza, The Talented Mr Ripley are some of the most famous US films shot here but the list is long! Famous Rome Piazza Navona: Fountains, History and Traditions [+ 17 Images] How To Make The Most Of Your Venice Italy Vacation (with 15 Marvelous Photos) 5 Must-See Attractions in Milano, Italy (and 15 Stunning Pictures) Lake Como, Italy: Why Visit the World’s Most Beautiful Lake (+15 Stunning Photos) At the northern end of Piazza Navona on Piazza di Tor Sanguigna there is a window through which you can look down and see some of the ruins of the original structure of the stadium.For 8 euros you … Piazza Navona was built on the foundations of a stadium constructed for Emperor Domitian in the 1st century C.E. It was even, for a short while, used to stage gladiatorial contests. Piazza Navona has 3 fountains, the most famous of which is the so-called ‘Fontana dei quattro fiumi’ in its center, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The arena was used for different sporting events and also public gatherings. They are both beautiful and also are at the center of a very special event that used to take place between 1652 and 1886: the turning of Piazza Navona into a lake! 3.1 Agnes of Rome; 4 Fountains. Piazza Navona is a large, historical square (piazza) in the center of Rome. For me, the world's most beautiful square is Piazza Navona, in Rome. The piazza was originally commissioned to be built in 80 AD but wasn’t a piazza. Its name, Navona, meaning ‘big ship’, refers to the flooding of the area and the mock naval battles once held there. Over the course of the centuries, however, the use of this space changed and we have documents showing how in the XV century the square hosted the market and became the go-to place for processions and public events. Piazza Navona is one of the most beautiful and famous squares in the centre of Rome. Home » Pantheon & Navona Square Area Attractions » Piazza Navona Facts & History. Your email address will not be published. The piazza is very beautiful and distinctive thanks to its shape, fountains and churches: because of these traits as well as its beauty, it is often chosen as a set for movies. The Piazza Navona was originally a hippodrome (a stadium for chariot races) built by Diocletian in Roman … Originally built as a stadium in the first century for athletic contests and chariot races, Piazza Navona is lined with luxurious cafes and Baroque palaces and is the home to three lavish fountains. In 1936, when the houses built on the curved side of the Stadium were demolished, it was possible to uncover a portion of the cavea, where one of the main entrances was located. Its location is actually in the center of the city due to which it still plays a very important role in Urban Rome. Today Piazza Navona still retains the same shape as the original stadium that was used for foot races. Half-day Tours. Piazza Navona, or Navona Square, as it is known in English, started as a stadium in Rome. In the early Renaissance, the stadium was paved over, and Piazza Navona was created. Piazza Navona. My name is Marta, I am a travel-loving mama born and bred in that messy, wonderful, infuriating, awe-inspiring unbelievably beautiful city that is Rome. I stept into Piazza Navona, called so by corruption, from Piazza d'Agona because in this Piazza was anciently a Circus for Sports, and it was called Circus Agonalis. Pope Innocent even organised so-called ‘water games’ during the hot summer … The site was hence not only a sports venue but also a cultural center. You stroll around Rome’s famous cobbled streets and, suddenly, you find yourself in this large, open-air space expanding for hundreds of meters in front of you (275 x 106 meters, to be precise)! The Piazza Navona is placed just west of the Pantheon. In 86 AD the Emperor Domitian reconstructed a stadium that was originally built by Caesar and Augustus. The most beautiful parts of Piazza Navona are its three fountains, designed during the papacy of Gregory XIII: This would be an unlikely source for an architect whose work is seen as a reaction to buildings like this designed in a florid baroque style. From 1650 to the late 19th century the square was sometimes flooded in summer and used for aquatic games and staged naval battles. Children ran to … It was nearly 276 meters in length and 106 meters in width. Along the two smaller sides of the square sit two more fountains, both by Dalla Porta. Palazzo Pamphilj Facing Onto Piazza Navona. Construction was completed in 86AD. But it turned perfect for common people too. Required fields are marked *. Today’s tale is about the church of S. Agnese in Agone, in Piazza Navona, a story that spans between the Ancient and the Baroque Rome. Piazza Navona and the Stadium of Domitian. It was used mostly for sporting events and contents of physical fitness. Gian Lorenzo Bernini wanted the job but due to its difficult relationship with the current Pope, he decided to go about it in an unusual way. It was laid out in the 15th century on the ruins of the stadium. … It displays the genius of Bernini, Boromini and Giacomo della Porta with its three amazing fountains and a church. It is also believed that its name changed over a period from “in avone” to “navone”. The stretched shape, as you may know, comes from that of the stadium of Domitian (you already heard about him when we talked about the Colosseum, built by his family). Other remains of the … Della Porta during the reign of the Pope Gregorio XIII Boncompagni. The museum is worth visiting and it also has stunning views over the piazza from its 3rd floor. 4.1 The … Stephanie spent time at Piazza Navona while studying abroad, and was fascinated by the beauty of the history that Piazza Navona held, as well as the potential that existed there for it to be a magnificent place for generations to come. Rather than waiting for the official competition, he built a small model of his own proposed fountain, molded it in silver and made sure to get it delivered to Donna Donna Olimpia Maidalchini Pamphili, who was said to be the real power behind the Pamphili Pontificate. When the Pope saw the prototype Donna Olimpia had received was so happy that he commissioned the work to Bernini, who created one of his greatest works, the Fountain of the Four Rivers. Fun fact: The church of Santa Agnese that overlooks the square is still called Santa Agnese in agone, to distinguish it from another Santa Agnese ‘Fuori Le Mura’, which is a different church outside of the center. The stadium of Domitian dates back to the 85 AD. Piazza Navona Building history The stadium was built in blocks – mainly of travertine, and was commissioned by the Emperor Domitian. The fountain represents the 4 biggest rivers in the world each in human form: the Nile, the Gange, the Rio de la Plata, and the Danube. Historic Walking Areas, Points of Interest & Landmarks. The stadium was a competitive arena of the then Rome where various athletic contests were performed and people used to come to watch the games (agones). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Emperor Domitian had the stadium built in 86AD, hosting around 30,000 spectators for athletic games. Piazza Navona is an enviable location to call home in Rome. The fountain of the moor, the Fountain of Neptune and the eye catcher in the middle is the Fountain of the four rivers, which is considered Bernini’s masterpiece. When this piazza was the stadium of Domitian, it was used a space for games, in Latin a ‘circus agonalis’ and places in the square would be referred as being ‘in agone’. Piazza Navona is considered to be one of Rome’s most beautiful squares, having three fountains, one of which is considered to be Bernini’s greatest work – La Fontana Dei Fuimi. In the year 1653 it. Rather, it was a stadium! Piazza Navona like in the ancient times. Today, Piazza Navona, is a market place with restaurants and cafés, and alsoartist that sells painting or make a portrait of you. It was built in 1574 built by Giacomo . No doubt that Navona Square is one of the most famous squares in Rome and also one of the finest symbols of the Baroque Rome. The 3 fountains were among the highlights of the Piazza Navona. completely got renovated and the Pope Innocent 10 th, … It was built in 1574 built by Giacomo. The Piazza Navona was mainly used for several games and events and is a popular tourist attraction. Kids usually love to take a ride on the carousel, which is an authentic German piece from 1896, while grown-ups discover artisan products sold at the stalls. The … The story of the Piazza Navona starts with the reign of the 1st century emperor Domitian. There was a square between the stadium and the Pantheon with on … In 1647 Innocenzo X started designing a new asset for the square. Fun fact! Olimpia’s idea was to recreate, in this historical plaza, the classical entertainment of staging naval battles. As the city declined in the 3rd and 4 th centuries, the populace pulled back from the area, leaving it to deteriorate. At the southern end is the Fontana del Moro. Location: city centre, west of the Via Del Corso in the Campus Martius. Despite these important architectonical interventions, the square still stayed as an important public space and we have documents showing it transformed periodically into a lake, for the joy and entertainment of the population! Fontana del Moro, Piazza Navona. It is close to several other important landmarks in Rome and the closest are Campo de’ Fiori (just across the road) the Pantheon (less than a 5 minute walk), Piazza Venezia and the Vittoriano (10 min away) and the Trevi Fountain (less than a 15 min walk). Originally built in the 16th century, this palace can be found south of Piazza Navona. Just in front of the fountains towers the beautiful church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, designed by architect Borromini. The most famous sites in the area are the Roman Pantheon, which is located right to the east of the square, and the Castel Sant’Angelo to the northwest on the other side of the river. Rome gossip tells us that this present of silver got the attention of Donna Olimpia who convinced the Pope to assign the work to Bernini. Pantheon & Navona Square Area Attractions, Campo de’ Fiori Market Rome: Location and Hours, Fashion in Ancient Rome: Togas, Underwear, and Wedding Dresses, What to do in Rome on New Year’s Eve 2017/2018, Rome in December 2017, Weather & Temperature, Ask for the Bill and Tipping in Rome Restaurants, Best Area to Stay in Rome for First Time Visitor, Taxis in Rome: How they Work & Things to Know. Piazza Navona Rome: Museum tip Museum of the Domitian stadium in Rome. 2. I don't know why but from the moment I saw it many years ago, I loved it and everytime I come to Rome I try to visit it. From December until the 6th of January, following the Roman tradition, you can find stalls selling Christmas decorations, candies and socks! The stadium was decorated with beautiful marble statues. Origin of Piazza Navona. The Piazza Navona is famous among the artists and tourists. In the last years of the 15th century, the place was declared as a public space and Novena Square was constructed. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Surely the well-mannered neo-classicist would not allow himself to be influenced by the ‘licentious’ curves of Borromini. It was completely covered in white marble and could seated up to 30,000 people. Piazza Navona also hosts one of the most picturesque local markets in Rome, proud of 100 years of history. There are many fantastic sights to see in the popular Italian city of Rome, from Vatican City to the Colosseum and much more. Eitch Borromini a stunning property with an equally stunning rooftop terrace with views over the Piazza, Palazzo Navona a modern, beautiful hotel in an enviable location to explore the whole of Rome city center. Navona 49 Suites, beautiful rooms overlooking the square. The only one I could think of is Sant’Agnese in Piazza Navona, Rome by Borromini, if you ignore the dome. The visual impact on the visitor is always strong and this is why I believe the piazza itself, even before you dig into its architectural gems, is worth a visit. Piazza Navona was originally built for racing with a special type of wartanks, and the loser risked being executed. In the 15th century, following the will of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Pamphilj, who became Pope with the name of Innocenzo X in 1664, the ancient stadium of Domitian was paved and Piazza Navona was created. If you look at the piazza from above or even just walk along its perimeter, you can still see its oval shape: the stadium/piazza has two long parallel sides and two shorter, semicircular ones that create the shape of a racing course. The church is said to date back to the VIII century but it was rebuilt several times and acquired the current look in the XVII century, when Pope Innocenzo X gave architect Rainaldi and then Borromini the job to redesign its facade. The piazza itself took its shape as the stadium's building crumbled over time. It was completed between 1653 and 1657. The Piazza Navona is a Baroque square in Rome, the remains of what was once a stadium called Circus Domitianus, built in 85 AD to host ancient Greek Agonal games were held. It is a public square and therefore free to access and visit, however, it has many monuments and statues that make it a real open-air museum and one of the most visited areas of the whole of Rome. He thought about building a fountain in the middle of the piazza to replace an old basin used as a horse trough. Piazza Navona, a large city square located in Rome, Italy, was built during the first century AD. Its current aspect is a consequence of the patronage from one of the most well-known patrician families, the Pamphilis. Underground Rome: Beneath the Streets Small-Group Tour. The statues of … He is indeed the one who designed the fountain as we see it now: the only later addition to his design is the obelisk on top. Photo by Zasch Dischner Navona Architecture’s name was inspired by Piazza Navona, in Rome, Italy. The architecture at the square and the beautiful fountains make it well worth a visit. Piazza Navona was built on the site of an ancient arena, built by the Emperor Domitian in the first century AD, and it actually kept its original form. The stadium of Domitian also fell victim to this kind of destruction. There are still remains beneath the square. It was used mostly for athletic contests but served a variety of purposes over hundreds of years. Domitian built an arena and stadium here (called a circus in ancient Rome) around 86 CE that was used for competitive footraces. The Pope had water brought to square from the Aqueduct of the Acqua Vergine. You can find our complete selection of the best hotels near Piazza Navona here. The first and most obvious is that it is simply stunning. The base of the fountain is a basin from the centre of which travertine rocks rise to … Some of the best bus routes serving this area are 30, 60, 62, 81, 87. Fontana del Moro - Piazza Navona Rome Facts. It was used for festivals, athletic competitions, and then turned into an open-air market. The archaeological finds retrieved during the excavations and on display here include numerous sculpture fragments and a Pentelic marble torso, a copy of the 4th century BC Apollo Lykeios by Praxiteles. Piazza Navona and the Stadium of Domitian This is probably one of the most popular square of Rome, with its distinctive shape and the famous fountain made by Bernini. It is very popular, not only because of its picturesque appearance, but also due to other … Originally from … @2019 - All Right Reserved. Located on the … From a very young age, she began her social climbing activities. After all, ... Emperor Domitian had the stadium built in 86AD, hosting around 30,000 spectators for athletic games. In 85 A.D a stadium, the Stadio di Domiziano, was built at the site by Domitian. Rome – the city of visible history, where the past of a whole hemisphere seems moving in funeral procession with strange ancestral images and trophies gathered from afar.” – George Eliot, novelist. Della Porta during the reign of the Pope Gregorio XIII Boncompagni. If you look at the piazza from above or even just walk along its perimeter, you can still see its oval shape: the stadium/piazza has two long parallel sides and two shorter, semicircular ones that create the shape of a racing course. In 1647 Innocenzo X started designing a new asset for the square. This shape is the result of its original function as the stadium for athletics competitions (Circus Agonalis) with stands for 20,000 spectators. It could host up to 30,000 spectators and was covered with white marble. Modern day Piazza Navona sits neatly over the stadium’s interior arena, an area larger than that of the Coliseum’s (arena), while the original arcades sit beneath the buildings that line the square today. The square is large and car fee, absolutely perfect for running around, and has something special: a wonderful toy shop aptly called Al Sogno (The Dream), which seels something special: like size teddy bears (they have giraffes, bears, crocodiles: it is an incredible place for kids)! The fountain towers in the center of the piazza and has an interesting story. Two other fountains … Piazza Navona is one of the Roman's most treasured piazzas; here, in centuries past, acrobats and jugglers performed and even today, it's still lively with painters and street performers that put on their shows for tourists and passersby, new spectators of that life that's always flowed though the piazza with movement and joy. Piazza Navona is considered to be one of Rome’s most beautiful squares, having three fountains, one of which is considered to be Bernini’s greatest work – La Fontana … It was laid out in the 15th century on the ruins of the stadium. Over time, the stadium was torn down but the basic oval shape of the public arena remained. A classics graduate and professional travel blogger, on this site I share my insider tips to help you plan your dream trip to Rome, Italy. 1. Europe ; Italy ; Lazio ; Rome ; Rome - Things to Do ; Piazza Navona; Search. Piazza Navona is also close to Castel Sant’Angelo, about a 10 minute walk away on the other side of the river. Located on the backside of the stadium was an Odeon. Several good hotels are in the area including these are the best hotels near Piazza Navona. Piazza Navona is one of the easiest historical locations to visit in Rome with kids in tow. Built on the site of a stadium - Piazza Navona. One of the main features are the three famous fountains here: Pope Innocent X did want to leave his mark on Rome. Donna Olimpia Maidalchini - "La Pimpaccia" So now it’s time to tell you the story of Donna Olimpia Maidalchini, and more specifically, her influence on the architecture of Piazza Navona Rome. Your email address will not be published. Lastly, the name of the place was simplified to “na… It was built over the ruins of the Circus Agonalis, a long, rectangular stadium … It is said that the name Navona has its origins in the “inagonis”. It is the piazza in Rome with fountains and obelisk that you see in so many movies set in Rome and it is in real life even more beautiful than the silver screen may suggest. Grand, elegant, iconic and full of history, it is a place that features in all Rome itineraries and that I highly recommend to seek out even if you just have one day in Rome. Piazza Navona opens up for the visitor without warning. The Romans liked entertainment, and arenas were built around the city to host various games and events. Some sections of the Stadium survived into the 1500s, but those remnants were mined and robbed for … Rather, it was a stadium! Piazza Navona has an interesting history, that follows some of the main era of the long history of the city of Rome. About Piazza Navona: Probably one of the most visited tourist areas in Rome, Piazza Navona was originally the site of the Stadium of Domitian – where festivals and sporting events took place, which is why it has a long oval shape. fountain one of the most beautiful in Rome. The Piazza Navona – Fontana del Moro at the southern end The Fontana del Moro was built by Giacomo della Porta, though Bernini altered it later, adding a statue of a Moor fighting a dolphin. But a strong contender must surely be the magnificent Piazza Navona. My name is Marta, I am a travel loving mama, born and bred in that messy, wonderful, infuriating, awe inspiring and unbelievably beautiful city that is Rome. Photo by Alexander Russy. However the piazza was not always the active tourist and local destination as it is today. These are some highly recommended Piazza Navona Facts, The Piazza Navona is a Baroque square in Rome, which was once a stadium called Circus Domitianus, built in 85 AD to host ancient Greek Agonal games were held. The color of the pen is taken from the tan colored marble of a central fountain (Fountain of the Four Rivers) built in 1651 by Lorenzo Bernini. History: formed within the outline of an old stadium, similar to the Circus Maximus ie long shape with semicircular ends for chariot racing and other sports. Fontana del Moro - Piazza Navona Rome Facts. The Piazza Navona in the 19th century 2.1 The Church of Santa Maria del Sacro Cuore (Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore) 3 Baroque epoch. The square is a large oval, airy, framed by stunning buildings and adorned by 3 fountains by master sculptures from the Golden Era of Rome’s architecture (Bernini and Borromini both contributed to the current look of this square). You can still admire the peculiar rectangular shape of the arena, ending with a rounded curve on the short sides. These are some highly recommended Piazza Navona Facts, The Piazza Navona is a Baroque square in Rome, which was once a stadium called Circus Domitianus, built in 85 AD to host ancient Greek Agonal games were held. The obelisk, like all the others in Rome, was brought from Egypt. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Note the interesting shape of the piazza, ringed by … It is so beautiful and iconic it is simply a Rome must see site. The Piazza Navona in 1837 The imposing church on the left is Sant’Agnese in Agone. Piazza Navona is built on an ancient athlete arena. The area can be explored on foot or by bus, using the bus routes 30, 60, 62, 81 and 87. The monumental square had the purpose of celebrating the greatness of the Pamphilj family. The Pope had water brought to square from the Aqueduct of the Acqua Vergine. But Adam certainly would have known this church … Piazza Navona, a 15 th century oblong square, is the remains of Circus Agonalis, a former sporting stadium built by Emperor Domitian in 86 BC. Piazza Navona is an impressive city square in Rome; Stadium Domitian, an arena mostly used for athletic contests (built in 1st Century AD), used to stand here, and the square still follows the form of the open space of the stadium; It features a number of fine examples of Roman Baroque architecture and art; In the central stands Fountain of the Four Rivers (1651) by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The Pelikan M620 Piazza Navona was the Pelikan City Series pen released in 2005. While this tradition has now stopped, the square is still a place for entertainment: street artists (and vendors) flock here and over, Christmas, the square still hosts the city’s most famous Christmas market. With its showy fountains, baroque palazzi and colourful cast of street artists, hawkers and tourists, Piazza Navona is central Rome’s elegant showcase square. What is the origin of the name Piazza Navona? Actually, they got used to decorating their coaches as little boats and traditional gondolas. Egyptian Obelisk Rises from the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. Nowadays, all guests of the Italian capital can visit the majestic baroque fountains and medieval temples. Even the obelisk of Piazza Navona was built much later. Piazza Navona is close to many other attractions in the city, including the Pantheon (a 5-minute walk away), Piazza Venezia (10-minutes away on foot) and Castel Sant’Angelo, a 10-minute stroll from the square. 2 In 86 AD Domitian had a stadium built at the site of the square (Stadio di Domiziano). 1 History; 2 Early Christian Period. Among them there was the famous Pasquino statue, that today sits in the nearby Piazza del Pasquino. 00186 Rome, Italy. At the southern end is the Fontana del Moro. Rather, it was a stadium! If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Our Friends Service Contents. The area of the square corresponds to the former arena, which was then six meters lower. They say that the statue representing Rio de la Plata is covering his eyes because he is terrified the church may collapse on him, while the statue of Santa Agnese on the church has her hand on her heart to reassure him of the church stability! The rectangular stadium was used for contests of physical fitness, athletics and also of wit. The fountain one of the most beautiful in Rome and a true work of art. One of the most interesting buildings overlooking Piazza Navona is Palazzo Braschi, now hosting the museum of Rome. This is an excellent example of the type of architecture that was prevalent during the era, with travertine windows and a portal flanked by columns. Piazza Navona gets a lot of attention for several reasons. This tradition stopped when Rome became the capital of Italy: at this time the whole square got covered in cobbles and redesigned in such a fashion that water can no more be contained. complete selection of the best hotels near Piazza Navona here. Very special summer parades began across the little lake. had the job done by Bernini. Piazza Navona is a pubic square in the capital of Italy, Rome.It’s located on the east bank of the Tiber River and right into the historic center of the city.. Beginning in the late 1400’s, Piazza Navona Rome was the site of the main outdoor fruit and vegetable markets of the city. All you need to know to visit famous Piazza Navona, Rome and the legends that surround this stunning Rome piazza. Its name, Navona, meaning ‘big ship’, refers to the flooding of the area and the mock naval battles once held there. I will share some below! The fountain in the middle of the piazza, the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, dates back to 1651 and was built by Bernini for Pope Innocent X Pamphilli. But what he had done on Piazza Navona, why, how and by whom, well that is another story. In agone, as Latin developed and transformed, eventually became ‘navona’, a more familiar word that eventually stayed up until now as the name of the piazza. The best time to visit is the early morning, before 10 am, and the night, when the lights make it grand yet intimate, imposing yet welcoming. However, the construction was later taken over by Bernini in which the fountain had 4 figures that represent the 4 continents. Built over the 1st-century Stadio di Domiziano, it was paved over in the 15th century and for almost 300 years hosted the city's main market.Its grand centrepiece is Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, a flamboyant fountain featuring an … Piazza Navona is a square in Rome, Italy. The Piazza Navona in our time The Piazza Navona – view from the southern end . It was even, for a short while, used to stage gladiatorial contests. In 1651, Pope Innocenzo X Pamphili decided to redo the square in front of his palace and announced a competition for artists to submit their best ideas. For generations… Was even, for a short while, used to stage gladiatorial contests history, follows. The peculiar rectangular shape with rounded short sides, Points of interest in Italy and many more questions in historical! Summer … the Piazza was originally commissioned to be influenced by the ‘ licentious ’ of! Best experience on our website indeed, the Stadio di Domiziano, built! Got renovated and the stadium fountains and a church at the centre of Rome email, and then into... Is covered to symbolize the unknown source of its original function as the stadium was Odeon! Was created constructed in 1647 and 1651 and commissioned to be influenced by the licentious... 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