Picture of Obelisk and Santa Maria del Popolo church on the Piazza del Popolo (Rome, Italy)

Obelisk and Santa Maria del Popolo

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Once a grand entrance to Rome, the Piazza del Popolo still is a majestic square with an Egyptian obelisk, lush fountains, and no less than three churches on its sides.
Walking down the Via Flaminia, the ancient access road to Rome historically used by so many visitors, you see an impressive city gate at the end of the street. This is the 16th century Porta del Popolo, replacing the Aurelian Porta Flaminia, built in the 3rd century, at the same place. It was intended to leave an impression on whomever arrived in Rome. Massively towering above you, the gate almost completely blocks your view, as the openings are relatively small. It then comes as a surprise, when you walk through the gates, when an enormous space opens up in front of your eyes. This is Piazza del Popolo. Right in front of you, an obelisk, on your right, carabinieri barracks, on your left, the Santa Maria del Popolo church; the vast square has two prominent fountains on the east and west side; furthermore, behind the obelisk, you see the "twin" churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria di Montesanto. Looking through Via del Corso, you can also clearly identify enormous Monument of Vittorio Emanuele. Piazza del Popolo, called after poplar trees that grew here, was for a long time used to park carriages; it was also used for executions until the 1820s.
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