Valadier's great ellipse at the northern gate of Rome, where Via del Corso, Via del Babuino and Via di Ripetta meet: the 24 m Flaminio obelisk (brought from the Circus Maximus in 1589) rises over the lion fountain, between the twin churches by Rainaldi and Bernini and Santa Maria del Popolo with two Caravaggios.
- Address
- Piazza del Popolo, 00187 Roma
- Best time to go
- Afternoon, Evening · About 30 min
- Price level
- €
Details can change. Check hours and prices before you go.
Good to know
- The twin churches look identical from the square, but Santa Maria dei Miracoli has an octagonal dome and Santa Maria in Montesanto a twelve-sided one.
- Step into Santa Maria del Popolo for Caravaggio's Crucifixion of St Peter and Conversion of St Paul in the Cerasi Chapel and Raphael's Chigi Chapel.
- Climb from the square to the Pincio terrace, which looks straight down on Piazza del Popolo; go at sunset.