Piazza Navona stands on the site of the ancient Stadium of Domitian, a venue used for athletic competitions and festivals during the Roman Empire. The shape of the piazza still reflects the stadium's elongated form. The piazza is adorned with three exquisite Baroque fountains. The most famous one is the fountain of the 4 rivers, masterpiece of Bernini.
In ancient times, the Stadium of Domitian had the capacity to host up to 30,000 spectators. The athletic competitions held here drew inspiration from the Greek Olympic Games, hence they were referred to by the Greek term "agona," which still echoes in modern English as "agonistic games." These agona games encompassed a range of events, such as pentathlon, running, jumping, discus throwing, javelin throwing, and boxing.
Over the centuries, the term "agona" underwent linguistic transformations evolving into "Navona." Consequently, the square that now occupies this historic site bears the name "Piazza Navona."
Piazza Navona underwent a Baroque transformation under the patronage of the Pamphili family. They erected their palace, dedicated a church to St. Agnes, and commissioned the creation of the Fountain of the Four Rivers. Atop the obelisk, the Pamphili coat of arms— represented by a dove—is still prominently displayed, representing their legacy. Complementing this central fountain are two more exquisite creations: the Moor Fountain and the Neptune Fountain.
Piazza Navona was inundated with water during the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly in the hot summer months. The lake of Piazza Navona enabled the poor people to cool off and wade in the water while going barefoot. The rich people had the luxury of arriving in their ornate carriages and members of rival families used to have challenges and races in the water.
