Piazza del Popolo is the large oval square at Rome's northern entrance, designed by Giuseppe Valadier from 1818. Around the central obelisk stand the Porta del Popolo, the basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, which holds two paintings by Caravaggio, and the two twin churches framing the start of Via del Corso. The square is pedestrianised and freely accessible; entry to the churches is free. Allow one hour including the basilica and the climb to the Pincio terrace.
Highlights
The twin churches
Santa Maria in Montesanto (on the left, 1675) and Santa Maria dei Miracoli (on the right, 1678) frame the entrance to Via del Corso, between Via del Babuino and Via di Ripetta. Begun by Carlo Rainaldi, they were completed by Bernini and Carlo Fontana. They look identical, but the dome of Montesanto is oval and that of Miracoli circular: this is how the architect made up for the unequal width of the two plots.
The Cerasi Chapel and Caravaggio
In the basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, the first chapel to the left of the choir holds The Conversion of Saint Paul and The Crucifixion of Saint Peter, painted by Caravaggio in 1600-1601, on either side of The Assumption by Annibale Carracci. Photos and videos of the chapel are forbidden and the number of visitors inside is limited. The basilica also has the Chigi Chapel designed by Raphael, with statues by Bernini, and frescoes by Pinturicchio.
The Porta del Popolo
A gate in the Aurelian Walls through which travellers from the north arrived along the Via Flaminia. Its outer face was rebuilt in 1562-1565 by Nanni di Baccio Bigio for Pope Pius IV; the inner face was redesigned by Bernini in 1655 for the entry into Rome of Queen Christina of Sweden.
The Flaminio obelisk
24 metres tall, it dates from the reigns of Ramesses II and Merneptah. Brought from Egypt under Augustus and first set up in the Circus Maximus, it was raised in the square in 1589 by Domenico Fontana for Pope Sixtus V. The Egyptian-style lions of the fountain around it were added by Valadier in 1823.
The climb to the Pincio
On the east side of the square, behind the fountain of the goddess Roma, Valadier's ramps and stairs, completed in 1834, climb to the Pincio terrace, at the entrance to the Villa Borghese gardens. The view takes in the square, the twin domes and, in the distance, the dome of St Peter's.
Opening hours and tickets
The square is free and open at all hours. The basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, free, is open for visits Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 9:45am, from 10:30am to 12pm and from 4pm to 6pm, and on Sundays and public holidays from 4:30pm to 6pm only; visits are not allowed during mass and appropriate dress is required.
Infos pratiques
Tips
Plan the basilica around its time slots: it closes between 12pm and 4pm and is open for only 1.5 hours on Sunday afternoons. Carry on along Via del Babuino to the Spanish Steps, or along Via di Ripetta to the Ara Pacis Museum, a ten-minute walk. Opening hours checked in October 2026.
How to get there
Piazza del Popolo, 00187 Rome. Metro line A, Flaminio station, then walk through the Porta del Popolo (2 minutes on foot). Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo: Piazza del Popolo 12, on the left of the gate as you enter the square.
Opening hours
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