This 2 kilometre walk starts at the Pantheon and travels somewhat indirectly to Piazza Navona. Allow 2 hours, or more if you plan to linger longer.
[1] The Pantheon is the best-preserved of all Roman buildings. Built in 125 AD as a Roman temple to the gods, it was later consecrated as a Catholic Church.
If you tour the Pantheon, you may want to try an award winning gelato at the nearby
Crimeria Monteforte [via della Rotonda 22] or a good cup of coffee at
[2] Caffe Sant'Eustachio, just around the corner in Piazza di Sant'Eustachio.
Meander along via Monterone, lined with small hotels and apartments, where you can mail your postcards at the
Post Office [via Monterone, 1].
Before proceeding west along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, you may want to inspect the ancient ruins at
[3] Area Sacre which include remains of temples and other buildings that were part of
Pompey's theatre complex.
Now retrace your steps back along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II to
[4] Palazzo Massimo alle Colonne. This 16th century Peruzzi-designed palace was one of three contiguous palaces owned by the Massimi family.
[5] Campo dei Fiori. This rectangular square mainly frequented by locals, is infamous for its 17th century public executions, including that of the philosopher Girodano Bruno (see centre statute).
[6] Palazzo della Cancelleria was built for Cardinal Raffaele Riario who held the post of Cardinal Camierlengo to his powerful uncle, Pope Sixtus IV. The rumor was that the funds came in a single night's winnings at gaming. It's still owned by the Vatican.
[7] Musei Barracco [Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 166] displaying ancient sculptures from the collection by Giovanni Barracco (1829–1914).
Facing the statue of Marco Minghetti is the
[8] Museo di Roma
[Piazza di San Pantaleo, 10]. The museum houses items from the middle ages to the early 1900s, representing historical, cultural and social aspects of the city.
[9] Statua di Pasquino erected at the corner of Piazza di Pasquino and Palazzo Braschi in 1501 was one of the first
Talking Statues of Rome.
[10] Piazza Navona. The arena was used for festivals and sporting events, including jousts, until the late 15th century, when it was paved over and transformed into a market place and public square. In the centre of the piazza is the Church of Sant'Agnese, its façade designed by Borromini. Facing the church is the masterful Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) depicting the Nile, Ganges, Danube and the Rio de la Plata, designed by Bernini, Borromini's bitter rival. There is a story that the statues on Bernini's fountain are shielding their eyes in disgust from the sight of Borromini's church. However, Bernini completed the fountain two years before Borromini started work on the church's facade.
Piazza Navona is longitudinally marked by the presence of the three fountains; the lateral "
Fountain of Neptune or of the Calderoni" and "
Fountain of the Moro" are due to the designs of Giacomo della Porta, while the central "
Fountain of the Rivers" was realised by Bernini between 1648 and 1651 after Christ.
This is the home of the up-market
Tre Scalini [Piazza Navona 30], famous for its fabulous
Tartuffo dessert.