Piazza Navona

Already in 46 BC, Caesar had a sports field for athletic competitions built on the current site, which was expanded in 85 BCE by Emperor Domitian and offered space for over 30,000 visitors. The stadium was used for horse races, gladiator games, and athletics competitions.
The name of the square probably derives from the Latin word agones and means 'competition' or 'games'. The name of the square then developed from agone to nnagone, to navone, and finally Navona.

Wealthy Romans moved to the city and started to frame the square with buildings. A first church was also built. In this church, the Sant'Agnese in Agone, you can visit the remnants of the ancient stadium today. Nonetheless, horse races, fairs, markets, and festivals still took place in the square.
The shape of the arena remains preserved to this day, as the builders used the outer walls for their houses.

The square was to be rebuilt as the Forum Pamphilj following the model of pompous imperial forums. This was the reason why an ancient aqueduct was extended to this point. However, the Forum remained unfinished. Thanks to the aqueduct, the Neptune Fountain, the Fontana del Moro, and the Fountain of the Four Rivers are now standing here. The four rivers symbolize the largest rivers of the previously known four continents: the Danube, the Nile, the Ganges, and the Rio de la Plata.

The summers of the Eternal City could get very hot, which is why starting from the 17th century, Romans regularly flooded the square by blocking the fountain drains to create a kind of open-air swimming pool for cooling off. However, due to the rapid spread of malaria and concerns about an epidemic in Rome, this water fun was prohibited in the mid-19th century.

The Piazza is most lively at sunset. When tourists are on their way to dinner, artists come out and transform the Piazza into a place full of music and art. So, make sure to bring enough time on your way to dinner to soak up this ‘exhilarating’ atmosphere. The square itself feels like a live show from Italy’s Got Talent in the evening. My highlight was an acrobat in a large ring, performing tricks.

Aside from the art, whether it be acrobatics, music, or painting, the three fountains also fascinated me. The splashing has a calming effect, and standing next to the water feels cool. However, I would not reach into the water. For a direct cooling off, it's better to use the drinking water fountains named Nasoni that you can find all over Rome.

The journey into the ‘Underground’ is very exciting. Some arches of the stadium are visible below the Sant’Agnese in Agone church. Further remains of the ancient structure can also be found in Via Zanardelli.

When you're done visiting Piazza Navona, I suggest you visit the neighboring Osteria da Fortunata for Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe. It's known for making the pasta fresh in front of the guests. Due to its high popularity, unfortunately, you have to wait up to an hour in the summer to get a seat. Just a few steps away, Mr. 100 Tiramisu waits with dessert. Here too, you'll need to queue, but you'll need the break between pasta and tiramisu anyway. If you're a fan of Gelato, there's a Gelateria Venchi branch near the Pantheon, just a short 5-minute walk away.

According to a friend who lives in Rome, Piazza Navona is worth visiting at other times of the year as well. At Christmas, a beautiful Christmas market takes place on the Piazza where handicrafts are sold, and visitors can snack on sweets. During Lent, the Piazza becomes a colorful spectacle of festivities, masks, and music. The carnival on the Piazza is known for its lively atmosphere, where people dance, sing, and celebrate in elaborate costumes.