Piazza Del Popolo Magnets

Scenic View of Piazza del Popolo Square from the Terrace of Pincio in Villa Borghese

The Obelisk of Ramses II in the Piazza del Popolo. During the Middle Ages, this square formed the main entrance to the city for pilgrims and travellers arriving on the Via Flaminia (from the north). It was only when Pope Sixtus V placed the 1200 BC Egyptian obelisk of Ramses II in the centre of the square that Piazza del Popolo took on its current function. The obelisk is the tip of the trident formed by the three streets that begin in the square: Via del Corso, Via di Ripetta and Via del Babuino. Valadier was the architect who gave the square its present elliptical appearance by building the two ramps that lead to the Pincio. Two shell-shaped fountains overlooked by groups of statues stand in the two hemicycles. Valadier was ...

A view from the Piazza del Popolo, looking up to the Piazza del Pincio, Rome, Italy. These lovely gardens (not shown here) overlook one of the most beautiful squares in Rome, Piazza del Popolo. There were gardens here even in the time of Ancient Rome, and it is said that they were quite fabulous. The present-day gardens were designed in the early 19th century by the architect Valadier who also created Piazza del Popolo itself. Sold 1 Card : 26 Apr 15

My original photo, digitally altered to add interest.