From Piazza Navona to the Tiber

Neighborhood: From Piazza Navona to the Tiber

Neptune Fountain, Piazza Navona

Between Piazza Navona and the Tiber

Located in the heart of Rome’s historic and tourist center, the district surrounding Piazza Navona, and stretching toward the Tiber, is one of the city’s most beautiful and artistically rich areas. This zone, encompassing a large part of the Rione Ponte between Piazza Navona and the Tiber, as well as part of the Rione Parione to the southwest of the square, is bounded to the south by Viale Vittorio Emanuele II.
This district, crossed by ancient narrow streets and picturesque squares full of charm that lead to Piazza Navona with its Baroque marvels such as the Fountain of the Four Rivers, offers an immersion into centuries of Roman art. It is marked by its ancient history and significant Renaissance and Baroque heritage, where art blends with a lively and welcoming atmosphere.

From Ancient History to Baroque Embellishment

Under the Roman Republic, the area between Piazza Navona and the Tiber was part of the Campus Martius, a space dedicated to the god of war where Roman soldiers trained and political gatherings took place. With the advent of the Roman Empire, urban development greatly expanded here, with the construction of baths, theaters, and other public monuments. Piazza Navona itself retains the shape of the ancient Stadium of Domitian, the remains of which still lie beneath the ground.

Starting in the 15th century, the district underwent a major transformation. An important market was established in Piazza Navona, similar to that of the nearby Campo dei Fiori. During the Renaissance, the area began to be developed, followed by Baroque embellishment in the 17th century under the influence of the Pamphilj family. This period saw the construction of palaces, fountains, and churches, with the participation of illustrious architects such as Bernini and Borromini.

Remarkable Places and Monuments

Santa Maria della Pace

The district is full of sites of interest, accessible through lively and picturesque lanes, ideal for strolling at any time.
Toward the Tiber and Rione Ponte: Via dei Coronari, a typical street that extends westward from the north of Piazza Navona toward the Tiber and Ponte Sant’Angelo. It crosses charming spots such as Piazza Simeone and Santa Maria della Pace church, famous for its cloister designed by Bramante.
On the north side of the square, the Palazzo Altemps houses part of the National Roman Museum, while the Napoleonic Museum near the Tiber offers an insight into Napoleonic history, and the Basilica of Saint Augustine is an architectural gem nearby.
On the south side and in Rione Parione, the Palazzo Braschi hosts the Museum of Rome, dedicated to the history of the Eternal City. The Via del Governo Vecchio is a charming street leading to the Chiesa Nuova, another treasure of the district.