Piazza Navona: Fountain of the Four Rivers, history and more

Step into Piazza Navona and you’ll quickly understand why it’s one of Rome’s most beloved squares. With its grand fountains, lively cafés, elegant Baroque architecture, and constant buzz of street artists and performers, Piazza Navona feels like the city at its most theatrical.

But this beautiful square is much more than just a pretty place to stop for a coffee or aperitivo. Beneath its elegant surface lies nearly 2,000 years of Roman history, from ancient contests of athleticism to papal power plays. Not to mention the artistic rivalries between Bernini and Borromini.

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or simply passing through, here’s everything you need to know about why Piazza Navona is so famous, and what not to miss while you’re there.

The greatest piazza in all of Rome? We think so!

When was the Piazza Navona Built?

Although Piazza Navona looks like a classic Baroque square today, its origins go all the way back to Ancient Rome. The piazza was built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, a vast athletic arena commissioned in 86 AD for foot races and public games. Its distinctive long, oval shape comes directly from the footprint of that original stadium, something you can still clearly see today.

Centuries later, in the 17th century, Pope Innocent X transformed the area into the grand public square we know now, adding palaces, churches, and spectacular fountains to showcase the power and prestige of his Pamphili family. They owned much of the land around the plaza, and this extensive refurbishment gave them the greatest piazza in all of Rome.

Why is the Piazza Navona Famous?

Piazza Navona is famous for combining ancient Roman history with some of the finest Baroque art and architecture in the city. Its biggest star is Bernini’s breathtaking Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), one of Rome’s most iconic fountains.

But the square is also known for its lively atmosphere. From artists and musicians to bustling terraces and seasonal markets, Piazza Navona has been a social gathering place for Romans and visitors alike for centuries, and remains one of the best places in Rome to simply wander, people-watch, and soak up the city’s energy.

See for Yourself and Take a Virtual Stroll

Take a virtual stroll through Piazza Navona with our 360° tour and experience one of Rome’s most beautiful squares from every angle. From Bernini’s spectacular fountains to the elegant Baroque façades that surround it. Then, scroll down for even more insider tips, fascinating history, and everything you need to know before visiting in person.

What to see in Piazza Navona

The Fountain of the Four Rivers

At the heart of Piazza Navona stands its undeniable masterpiece: Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), a fountain so dramatic it seems almost alive. Towering figures twist and stretch around a rocky base, exotic animals emerge from the stone, and above it all rises a soaring ancient Egyptian obelisk, an extraordinary piece of Baroque theatre carved in marble.

The sheer magnitude and extraordinary detail of this fountain can keep you entertained for hours.

The result is the breathtaking fountain visitors admire today: a masterpiece born from artistic rivalry, papal politics, and one sculptor’s determination to outshine everyone else. Standing before it, surrounded by the energy of Piazza Navona, it’s easy to understand why it remains one of Rome’s most unforgettable sights.

The features of the Fountain of the Four Rivers

The fountain is literally overflowing with allegory, featuring four titans representing four rivers from the four known (at the time) continents: Africa, America, India, and Europe.

Rising form the midst of them, a symbol of eternal Roman power set on a plinth of travertine: an Egyptian obelisk salvaged from the side of the Appian Way.

Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi is one of his most renowned pieces.

Adorning it all are an encyclopaedic list of animals, symbols, embellishments and in-jokes that have made the fountain a source of rumor, legend, study and conjecture since it was first built. 

• Bernini did more project managing than actual carving, but he is supposed to have actually carved the horse, lion, palm tree, and the creature that is thought to be an armadillo, but is essentially just made up.
• The figure of the Nile, which is blindfolded, is said to appear this way because the source of the river was unknown. However, another theory is that it was to avoid looking at the facade of Sant’Agnese, which Borromini worked on. However, the figure of the Danube may, in fact, be holding up his hand to block its view from the same work.

What isn’t in any doubt is the marvel of having balanced a gigantic stone obelisk (weighing multiple tons) on top of a stone arch. It’s an amazing feat of engineering, and the icing on the cake. 

Insider Tip: Visiting Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi with kids? Turn it into a mini treasure hunt and challenge them to spot different features, like the animals for instance… It’s a fun way to see just how much detail Bernini packed into this incredible fountain.

Let’s just say Bernini and Borromini didn’t really get along well.

The Pamphili Palace

Overlooking Piazza Navona, the imposing Palazzo Pamphilj is one of the square’s most important buildings. And a lasting reminder of Pope Innocent X’s ambition to leave his mark on Rome.

What began as a patchwork of smaller buildings was transformed in the mid-17th century into a grand palace for the powerful Pamphili family, unified behind an elegant façade by architect Girolamo Rainaldi.

Today, somewhat unexpectedly, it serves as the Brazilian Embassy.

The palace was built by Rainaldi and is currently home to the Brazilian Embassy. Photo credit: Warren LeMay

Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone

Next door stands the striking Sant’Agnese in Agone, a church with both a dramatic history and an equally dramatic design. Tradition says it was built on the site of a brothel, where Saint Agnes was martyred in ancient Rome, making it an important pilgrimage destination long before the Pamphili family arrived.

Wanting a church worthy of their magnificent new piazza, the family enlisted not one but three of Rome’s architectural giants, Rainaldi, Francesco Borromini, and even Gian Lorenzo Bernini, to bring the project to life.

Despite the influence of three of Rome’s greats, historians tend to take a dim view of the building. What is undeniably interesting about it is that you can actually identify the section that each man designed (because, apparently, cooperation on a single area was out of the question).

The facade up to the ceiling belongs to Borromini, the pediment was done by Bernini, and everything above that is the work of Rainaldi.

See if you can detect the different styles within in church of Sant’Agnese in Agone in Piazza Navona

Museo di Roma

This museum, dedicated to the art and history of the eternal city, is relatively new, by Roman standards. It came into being in the 1950s, when various collections were placed on display in Palazzo Braschi, a 19th century palace that has acted as mayoral residence, Fascist headquarters, and even refugee center.

Today, it holds a collection of paintings, sculptures, and photographs that specifically deal with Rome, its history and its people.

Make sure to check their opening hours when planning your visit.

Save time to leisurely stroll around the plaza, taking in all of its beauty.

The Fountain of Neptune and the Fontana del Moro

These two lesser fountains were built by Giacomo della Porta as a way of “balancing” the piazza. The original designs were not particularly Baroque, but details were added over the years to include the requisite gods, cherubs, and stylized sea creatures.

The fountains around the place became more and more baroque as time passed.

The Statue of Pasquino

Just off the southwest end of Piazza Navona sits the first of Rome’s “talking statues,” also known as Pasquino. He is a worn and beaten statue from the 3rd century B.C., who was placed in the little square in the 16th century.

Not long after this, pieces of paper began to appear on his base denouncing various moves made by the rulers and politicians of the day, often in verse. In effect, making public many of the complaints that people usually only spoke about among themselves. It was a newspaper opinion section before Romans had newspapers, and it didn’t take long for it to become extremely popular. 

Despite the fact that the original satirist (who is lost to history) was caught and punished pretty horribly (let’s just say writing satirical poems is difficult when you have no hands), the tradition lived on, and to this very day, you’ll find notes stuck to the base of Pasquino’s statue, ridiculing anything and everything going on in the city. 

Who would have thought a statue could make such a political impact along the centuries? Photo credit: Acediscovery

Insider Tip: If Piazza Navona has inspired you to explore more of the Eternal City, don’t miss Rome’s iconic “super sites” and unforgettable landmarks. Check out our guide to the top things to see in Rome and start planning your Roman adventure.

Tips for visiting Piazza Navona

Opening Times

Piazza Navona is a public space and therefore doesn’t close. It does, however, get quite crowded during the day, regardless of the time of year, but especially during high season, which is usually from May – September.

If you’re looking for a bit of intimacy go in the early morning, before the buskers, hawkers, caricaturists and street artists show up.

If you enjoy a carnival-like buzz, go around sundown on a summer evening to feel like you have stepped into a heart of a street party that has been going strong for over 500 years and enjoy the fountains glowing beautifully under the lights.

Insider Tip:  If you’re planning an evening in the city, check out our guide to the best things to do in Rome at night for more unforgettable after-dark experiences.

The plaza is always packed, but it never feels overly crowded.

Rules to keep in mind

Do not jump into the fountains, or even attempt to dip your feet into the water. Italian authorities are now clamping down on any kind of interactions with the country’s iconic fountains and offenders could face a hefty fine.

Also keep in mind that many of the restaurants located in the streets surrounding Piazza Navona are more focused on quantity (of covers) than quality (of food). This doesn’t mean that you can’t eat well, you just need to do some research. The golden rule is to try to avoid any restaurant that has a tout outside of it.

Take in consideration that nowadays it’s forbidden to touch the iconic fountain, and that the area is quite touristic.

FAQs – Piazza Navona

What is the best time to visit?

Piazza Navona is one of the perennial draws of Rome. There is a constant buzzing crowd from around 10 a.m. until well past midnight.

Since it was refurbished by Innocent X, it has been a gathering spot for people from all over Rome, and all walks of life, and it continues to be so to this day.

In this sense, the best time to go is when the piazza is at its busiest. However, if you want to see it without the crowds, an early morning walk is just what you need.

Can You Visit Piazza Navona for Free?

Yes! Piazza Navona is a public square and completely free to visit, making it one of the easiest, and most rewarding, stops on any Rome itinerary. You can wander through the piazza at any time of day, admire Bernini’s fountains, step inside Sant’Agnese in Agone, and soak up the atmosphere without spending a euro (though we highly recommend budgeting for a coffee or gelato while you’re there).

How Long Should You Spend at Piazza Navona?

You can see the highlights of Piazza Navona in around 30–45 minutes, but it’s worth allowing longer if you want to fully enjoy it. Plan at least an hour if you’d like to visit the churches, stop by the Museo di Roma, or simply sit at a café and enjoy some world-class people-watching. Many visitors end up staying far longer than planned—it’s that kind of place.

It’s possible to enjoy both the quiet and the busy time at this square. Photo credit: Tamal Mukhopadhyay