"HISTORY
and POPOLO SQUARE"
PIAZZA DEL POPOLO - ROME |
PIAZZA DEL POPOLO - ROME |
Piazza
del Popolo has been reshaped many times during its
history but certainly today the result is an evocative wide open
space revealing its identity through a wise use of the symmetry
puts mainly in evidence by two twin churches Santa Maria dei Miracoli
and Santa Maria in Montesanto and through the presence of the central
fountain with an egyptian obelisk dating back to the XIII century
b.C. brought to Rome by Emperor Ottaviano Augusto probably after
his victory on Antonio and Cleopatra and once erected in the Circo
Massimo. The obleisk was finally placed here in obedience of Pope
Sisto V's wish in 1589.
Piazza del Popolo has always been a traditional entrance to Rome
as here it arrives the ancient "Via Flaminia" connecting
Rome to Rimini or better ancient Rome to all the rest of the world
after the Appennini Mountain. During the time and mainly during
the Middle Age this had been a natural passage to enter to Rome
or to go to Northern cities such as Assisi. The street was built
from 223 to 219 b.C. by censor Caio Flaminio who later died in Trasimeno
battle against Annibale in 217 b.C. Flaminia Door was projected
by architect Nanni di Baccio Bigio who shown to have been inspired
by the triunphal arches of Rome. The interior of the door is decorated
on a Bernini's project.
Coming back to the square there's a real curiosity to know on the
twin churches projected by architect Carlo Rainaldi. He had to face
the problem of the lack of space to give a symmetry to the square.
To solve this matter he revealed his skill by thinking two churches
with different domes, one circular and the other oval shaped. The
result is extraordinary: the two churches seem really the same.
From the two twin churches it starts the Via del Corso who brings
to Victor
Emmanuel II Monument, Campidoglio
Square and Roman
Forum. |
