Hi, I’m Gianluca.
I studied cultural anthropology, and I’ve always been fascinated by the different ways people live, move, and experience a place.
Rome is not only my city – it’s the environment I love observing, understanding, and sharing through these small stories.
Together with my wife Connie, we host travellers in our small hotel near the Vatican, where we enjoy meeting people from all over the world and exchanging perspectives – just as I do here in the blog.
If you ever feel like saying hello while exploring Rome, you’ll find us on our terrace as well, where every morning we serve breakfast with a view.
Gianluca
Piazza Navona is one of Rome’s most beloved squares, brimming with history that spans nearly two millennia. Its unique shape and design can be traced back to the Stadium of Domitian, built in 86 AD. The stadium, known as Circus Agonalis, was commissioned by Emperor Domitian to host athletic competitions or agones, much like the Greek games. Its elongated, oval shape has been preserved in the modern piazza, giving it a distinctive footprint that still echoes the layout of the ancient stadium.
Transforming into a Baroque Masterpiece
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the stadium fell into disuse and was eventually covered by new buildings during the Middle Ages. By the late 16th century, Pope Innocent X commissioned architects like Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini to transform the square into a centerpiece of Baroque Rome. It was during this time that the square gained its magnificent fountains, including Bernini’s famous Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi), and became the vibrant public space we know today.
The Naumachiae and the Allagamento
One of the most intriguing aspects of Piazza Navona’s history is its role in staging naumachiae, or mock naval battles. While naumachiae were a popular form of entertainment in ancient Rome, held in places like the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus, the tradition was revived in Piazza Navona during the Baroque period. In the summer months, the piazza was intentionally flooded through a process known as the allagamento. Water from the Aqua Vergine aqueduct would be diverted into the square, creating a shallow lake. Noble Romans would then organize boat races and other water-related spectacles, a nod to the grandeur of ancient Rome’s naval battle re-enactments.
This practice continued until the 19th century, drawing spectators to watch the temporary transformation of Piazza Navona into a “water theater.” It was both a public amusement and a display of Rome’s engineering mastery in managing water, an element deeply tied to the city’s identity through its aqueducts, fountains, and baths.
A Walk Through Piazza Navona Today
Today, Piazza Navona is known for its beautiful Baroque fountains and vibrant atmosphere, where street artists, cafés, and performers entertain both locals and tourists. The three famous fountains—Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, Fontana del Moro, and Fontana del Nettuno—adorn the piazza, each adding a touch of elegance and history to this lively space.
Visitors can also explore the remnants of the Stadium of Domitian, accessible through an underground archaeological site that reveals sections of the original stadium, giving insight into the grandeur of ancient Roman sports culture.
From Ancient Rome to Modern Times
Piazza Navona offers a fascinating blend of ancient Roman history and Baroque artistry. For those staying at QuodLibet Bed and Breakfast, the piazza is just a short walk away, making it easy to immerse yourself in the layers of art, history, and culture that define this iconic Roman square.
