After getting some much needed rest, it was time to explore.
We traveled to the Piazza del Popolo in Rome each day to meet our tour guides. The piazza has numerous sculptures, an obelisk & fountains. It borders the “twin” churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli & Santa Maria di Montesanto, as well as one of the Aurelian Wall gates.
Piazza del Popolo is a very well-known square in Rome. In Italian the name means ‘People’s Square’, but the name is actually derived from the poplars that surrounded the oval square. The original function of the neo-classical square, which was designed between 1811 and 1822, was welcoming visitors and pilgrims who entered Rome from the north over the Via Flaminia.
Aurelian Wall gate
The city gate of the Aurelian Walls lies next to the church, the ‘Porta del Popolo’. The city gate was built in 1561 and designed by architect Nanni di Baccio Bigio. The inside of the gate was later decorated further by Bernini to celebrate the visit of the Swedish queen Christina.
A fountain was built into the side walls on both sides of the square. The Fontana del Nettuno shows Neptune accompanied by tritons.
The Fontana della dea di Roma focuses on the goddess of Rome. At its base stands the statue of Remus and Romulus (the founders of Rome) suckling at the wolf’s teats.
One of the most remarkable sights on the square of Piazza del Popolo is the 36-metre high Egyptian obelisk. The obelisk from 1300 BCE originally came from the Sun Temple of Heliopolis and was then taken to Rome by emperor Augustus to be displayed at the Circus Maximus. The obelisk was restored in 1589 and moved to this square by order of pope Sixtus V.
We arrived at the piazza just in time for sunrise.
Stay tuned for the next post & our adventures in Tuscany!
Camping with Christi 
We saw where the Egyptian obelisks were carved in one piece out of granite on 3 sides, then tunnels were drilled underneath & reeds or similar were placed in. When the floods came, the reeds expanded and released the obelisk which floated to lower ground for transportation-
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Great information! You learned a lot during your travels. Thanks for sharing.
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What amazing [pictures, they mist have been awesome to see in person
Be safe and happy traveling.
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The fact that Romans paid craftsmen to make such beautiful structures and statues says a lot about the Italian appreciation of art . I’m proud to have Italian blood in me, though I’m far from being artistic!
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It is so nice to see a place with history instead of shiny cookie cutter buildings & houses.
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How beautiful everything is to see, love the architect and artisan work done, must be just fabulous to see in person !! wish I were there !! On to Tuscany now !!
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