The Piazza Navona is considered by many to be the most wonderful of all of Rome’s piazzas. There are three incredible fountains complemented by the baroque Church of Sant’Agnese. The piazza was once a Roman sporting stadium called Circus Agonalis and bits of the original stadium which was paved over in the fifteenth century can still be seen.

Within a short walk of Piazza Navona apartment there are some magical sights:

• The Pantheon was built over eighteen hundred years ago and is a classic reminder of the might of Rome. The dome is over forty-three metres high and was the largest dome in the world until the 15th century when the cathedral in Florence was built. The Pantheon has 3 rows of columns and a bronze door that enters into the cylindrical-shaped building.

• Piazza Campo de’ Fiori translates as field of flowers because it was once a meadow that used to flood regularly. In the 15th century, the piazza was developed and the first construction was the Church of Santa Brigida. There was no uniform architectural style for Piazza Campo de’ Fiori so the buildings are varied and individual. For the last 140 years, the piazza has held a fish and vegetable market every morning. After sunset, the piazza is a popular meeting place for young Romans who frequent the cafés and clubs in and around the piazza.

• In Piazza Colonna is the column of Marcus Aurelius which was completed in AD 196. The Senate provided the column as a gift to the citizens of Rome.

• Trevi Fountain or Fontana di Trevi is probably the most famous fountain in the world and certainly the most beautiful. The water is transported by the Aqua Virgo which is an aqueduct that was built by the Romans in 19 BC and transports water twenty kilometres from Salone Springs.

• Castel Sant’Angelo lies on the River Tiber and is an imposing building that served as a mausoleum before becoming a fortress, a papal residency, a barracks, a military prison and, now, a national museum.

Of course, everywhere you look near Piazza Navona there are wonderful opportunities for sightseeing and many places to sit and relax over a drink or meal.

Photo Credit: Stanrandom | Since 2006 Holiday Velvet offers holiday apartments in Rome.