Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9. Piazza del Popolo
A large urban square, Piazza de Popolo can be translated from Italian to mean “The People's
Square.” This is a misnomer however, as the name of the square is actually derived from
the poplar tree, which is where the famous Santa Maria del Popolo tree takes its name. The
church is found in the northeastern corner of Piazza del Popolo.
In the center is an Egyptian obelisk, which was first brought to Rome by Augustus in 10 BC.
It was originally erected in the Circus Maximus, but was relocated in 1959 as a part of the
urban redevelopment plan undertaken by Pope Sixtus V. The center of the Piazza was once
home to a solitary fountain, but the fountain was relocated to the Piazza Nicosia when four
new mini fountains, each depicting a lion, were erected surrounding the base of the obelisk.
For many years, this area was the first view of Rome that travelers to the region saw. It
served as a gathering and meeting place, as well as a central commerce hub. Executions also
took place in this historic square for several centuries; which also makes it one of the blood-
iest attractions in Rome.
Until recent years, the picturesque Piazza de Popolo was a cluttered space, filled with traffic
and parked cars. City ordinances were put into place however, so that today this landmark
attraction is a pedestrian-only zone.
