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Anyone, at least once in their life, has dreamed of visiting one of the most famous monuments in the world: the Colosseum. But Rome is not only gladiators and ancient amphitheaters. Rome has the most beautiflul squares of Europe and here is the list of the best squares of Rome.

Rome is the most populated city in Italy and is the heart of the country’s politics. With its “Leonardo Da Vinci” airport, better known as Rome Fiumicino, it is easily accessible from all the cities of the world.

But what is the best way to visit this city? Entrust yourself to expert guides and not to improvised tours. We at WinkItaly have a team of certified guides who love their city and let visitors discover all the main attractions and even the hidden gems of this magnificent city. If you are looking for a trip to Italy, start planning it now.

It is impossible to write just a few lines about Rome and this is why we decided to tell you about Rome by selecting different themes. Today we will introduce Rome and its squares (Piazza in Italian).

The most beautiful squares of Rome

1. Piazza del Colosseo

The most famous monument in Rome is the Colosseum with the Imperial Forum just in front. Devote at least an entire morning to discover the amphitheater and ruins of the ancient imperial city. The visit to the Colosseum requires at least 2 hours.

2. Piazza del Campidoglio

At the end of the Colosseum tour, walk along the Via Sacra among the ruins that still bear witness to the richness and importance of Rome. Admire the Arch of Titus, the Temple of Vesta and the Temple of the Dioscuri, which lead up to one of the most beautiful squares in the city, Piazza del Campidoglio: a jewel of the famous Michelangelo.

3. Piazza di Spagna

Famous for the “Trinita ‘dei Monti” stairway, better known as “Spanish steps”, this square is an excellent starting point for strolling through the most glamorous streets of the city such as Via dei Condotti, Via del Corso or Via del Babbuino . At the foot of the staircase, admire the Bernini fountain, called “the Barcaccia”.

4. Piazza del Popolo

One of the most elegant squares in the city, it is characterized by the presence of two twin churches that mark the entrance to one of the main streets of the center, Via del Corso.

5. Piazza Montecitorio

This square that opens on one side of Via del Corso houses the headquarters of the Italian Parliament. There are two main elements of the Montecitorio square: the palace and the obelisk. The Montecitorio building (today the Parliament) was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, commissioned by Pope Innocent X as the residence of the Ludovisi family, and was finished by the architect Carlo Fontana. At the center of the square is the obelisk of Psammetico II, which is rich in hieroglyphics, comesfrom Heliopolis, and was brought to Rome in 10 BC by the emperor Augustus.

6. Piazza Navona

Famous for its beautiful three fountains, the Neptune fountain and the Moro fountain which are on the sides of the square. In the center a masterpiece by Bernini: the Fountain of the Rivers. This fountain represents the four largest rivers known at the time: the Nile, the Ganges, the Rio de La Plata and the Danube.

7. Piazza del Quirinale

This square has considerable importance for Italy and the Italians, as it is the seat of the President of the Republic. The building in which the President resides is called Quirinale and has recently been opened to the public. In the square stands the “Fontana dei Dioscuri” with Castor and Pollux. Higher than 5 meters, these gigantic statues are Roman copies of Greek originals from the 5th century BC

8. Piazza San Pietro

It is one of the largest squares in the world and was built, by order of Pope Alexander VII, between 1656 and 1667,  and designed by Bernini. This may be considered one of the best examples of Bernini pieces of art and expression of the Roman Renaissance. The lateral set of columns, the two “welcoming arms”, made of 284 columns and surrounded by 140 statues, represent an ideal greeting for the entire human race coming here in San Pietro, the heart of Christianity.

9. Piazza Venezia

The square takes its name from the Renaissance palace on the right, Palazzo Venezia, which was the seat of the embassy of the Republic of Venice, near the Papal State. The most striking monument in the square is called “the altar of the homeland.” It is all in white marble and is very impressive. The altar stands out for its color and the suggestion it creates. Inside is the tomb of the unknown soldier to celebrate all the Italian soldiers who died in the war.

10. Piazza della Rotonda

At the center of the square is the fountain designed by Giacomo della Porta around 1575 and modified in the 18th century by Filippo Barigioni, but the main attraction in this square is certainly the Pantheon, a pagan temple transformed into a Christian church.

Curiosity: the concept of “piazza” according to the Italians

For Italians, the piazza or square, is not just the architectural space that characterizes cities and villages, but an open air space called the ‘salotto a cielo aperto’ (open air living room). It is the heart of each Italian town where history, architecture and social relations become one. The Piazza is a place that Italians consider to be like home. In fact, the piazza is mainly a second home where – regardless of age, gender, social class – everybody is welcomed and feels comfortable. This “open air living room” allows people to speak aloud while sitting on the ground, and enjoying talking, thinking, reading, or just looking around.