Centro Storico West/Campus Martius
- Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Campo di Fioro, Largo di Argentina

Centro Storico is the historical city center of Rome. This page is about the West part of Centro Storico, at the East banks of the river Tiber, that divides the city into two parts.

Piazza Navona is one of the most famous, and probably the most beautiful square in Rome. It was built on the site of the old oval shaped Stadium of Domitian, built for athletic games, from the 1st century AD. At Piazza Navona you will find 3 beautiful fountains, and a white baroque church, Sant'Agnese in Agone, as well as many open air restaurants and cafés. The most famous fountain, Fountain of the Four Rivers, has an Egyptian obelisk in the center and was featured in Dan Brown's popular novel "Angels and demons", where a pope candidate drained. The fountain was designed by Bernini in the 1650s and represent rivers on four different continents .Everywhere around Piazza Navona tourists behold artists that make live paintings instantly. Since it is one of Rome's most touristy squares, the prices on the restaurants are very high. Palazzo Braschi (Museo di Roma) and Palazzo Pamphilj (the Brazilian Embassy), are also situated at Piazza Navona. We visited Piazza Navona several times, it really comes alive after dark.

Piazza Campo de Fiori is a more down to Earth alternative to the nearby Piazza Navona. Here you find a more bohemic atmosphere with more locals, open air restaurants with lower prices, a lively market and grittier buildings. Campo di Fiori is highly recommended, we visited an open air restaurant from afternoon to sunset, and tried antipasti with a beer. Campo di Fiori means "field of flowers", the place was once a flower field and today flowers are sold at the markets at the square. On the square you also will find the statue of Giordano Bruno, a philosopher who was put to death here in the year 1600, because he stated that the Earth was not the center of the universe! The statue is looking towards the Vatican, blaming it for his death. The memorial was financed by the freemasons.

Pantheon is a magnificent temple built more than 1800 years ago, standing at Piazza della Rotunda, a square that was named after the building. Today it is a reminder of the Roman Empire and is one of the best preserved Roman buildings in the world, and is considered the forerunner of all places of worship in the world. Pantheon means "temple for all the gods" and that is exactly what it was until 609 when it was converted into a church. It is famous for it's dome with a hole on the top, called the Oculus, where sunlight ("the light of God") is shining down on the floor on sunny days. There have been 2 earlier versions of the temple on the site, but the current version of Pantheon, ordered by emperor Hadrian, was completed in 125AD. Brick walls and marble columns as well as the tombs of the famous painter/architect Raphael and several Italian kings (like Vittorio Emanuele II) can be found here. The Corinthian columns at the portico (entrance) were carried all the way from Egypt! The dome is 43m high and Pantheon had the world's largest dome until 1436 (when a church in Florence got a larger dome). On Piazza della Rotunda, that is a very popular square to eat out at night, you also find a fountain with an obelisk from the 18th century.

Largo di Torre Argentina is an ancient square with ruins of four republican, pre-empire temples, as well as the ruins of a theater, Teatro di Pompey. The square is situated in the historic Campus Martius (Field of Mars) area in central Rome. The oldest temple, the temple of Feronia, was constructed around 300BC. Today Largo di Argentina is famous for it's large number of stray cats, sometimes it is called the "Cat's forum". It is today surrounded by heavy traffic of cars and trams, the busy Corso Vittorio Emanuele II passes by the forum.

Piazza Navona is one of the most famous, and probably the most beautiful square in Rome. It was built on the site of the old oval shaped Stadium of Domitian from the 1st century AD. The white church is Sant'Agnese in Agone and the obelisk belongs to the Fountain of the Four Rivers. Piazza Navona 001 Piazza Navona 002 Piazza Navona with The white church is Sant'Agnese in Agone and the obelisk belongs to the Fountain of the Four Rivers. Piazza Navona with Fontana del Moro. Fontana del Moro (Moor Fountain), Piazza Navona. Piazza Navona 006 Piazza Navona 008 Piazza Navona has many expensive open air restaurants. Piazza Navona with Fountain of the Four Rivers and Palazzo Pamphilj, the Brazilian Embassy in Rome. Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi), Piazza Navona, was constructed between 1647 -51 on request of pope Innocent X. It was designed by Bernini and represents rivers on four different continents: Nile, Ganges, Danube and Rio de la Plata. The obelisk was originally at the Circus of Maxentius. Piazza Navona 012 Piazza Navona 013 Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi), Piazza Navona, was constructed between 1647 -51 on request of pope Innocent X. It was designed by Bernini and represents rivers on four different continents: Nile, Ganges, Danube and Rio de la Plata. The obelisk, a Roman copy of an Egyptian obelisk, was originally at the Circus of Maxentius. Piazza Navona 015 Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi), Piazza Navona Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi), Piazza Navona Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi), Piazza Navona Piazza Navona with the fountain's obelisk and the church. Sant'Agnese in Agone, a beautiful church at Piazza Navona. The baroque facade was designed by Borromini, Bernini's main rival. The church was commissioned in 1652 by Pope Innocent X and built on the site where St. Agnes was stripped naked, but miraculously saved from disgrace by extraordinary growth of hair, according to the legend. Sant'Agnese in Agone, a beautiful church at Piazza Navona. The baroque facade was designed by Borromini, Bernini's main rival. The church was commissioned in 1652 by Pope Innocent X and built on the site where St. Agnes was stripped naked, but miraculously saved from disgrace by extraordinary growth of hair, according to the legend. The interior of Sant'Agnese in Agone, a beautiful church at Piazza Navona. The interior of Sant'Agnese in Agone, a beautiful church at Piazza Navona. The interior of Sant'Agnese in Agone, a beautiful church at Piazza Navona. The interior of Sant'Agnese in Agone, a beautiful church at Piazza Navona. Corso del Rinascimento near Piazza Navona Corso del Rinascimento near Piazza Navona. To the left is Palazzo Madama, the home of the Senate of the Italian Republic. Piazza Navona at night. Piazza Navona at night. Piazza Navona at night. Piazza Navona at night with the Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone. Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi), Piazza Navona, was constructed between 1647 -51 on request of pope Innocent X. It was designed by Bernini and represents rivers on four different continents: Nile, Ganges, Danube and Rio de la Plata. The obelisk, a Roman copy of an Egyptian obelisk, was originally at the Circus of Maxentius. Pantheon, the ancient Roman temple at Piazza della Rotunda. Piazza della Rotunda Piazza della Rotunda Piazza della Rotunda with it's obelisk from the 18th century. Street musicians, Piazza della Rotunda Piazza della Rotunda outside Pantheon Pantheon, details of the dome. Pantheon is famous for it's dome with a hole on the top, called the Oculus, where sunlight ("the light of God") is shining down on the floor on sunny days. Pantheon 020 Pantheon is a magnificent temple built more than 1800 years ago, standing at Piazza della Rotunda, a square that was named after the building. Today it is a reminder of the Roman Empire and is one of the best preserved Roman buildings in the world. Pantheon means "temple for all the gods" and that is exactly what it was until 609 when it was converted into a church. It is famous for it's dome with a hole on the top, called the Oculus, where sunlight ("the light of God") is shining down on the floor on sunny days. There have been 2 earlier versions of the temple on the site, but the current version of Pantheon, ordered by emperor Hadrian, was completed in 125AD. Brick walls and marble columns as well as the tombs of the famous artist Raphael and several Italian kings can be found here. The Corinthian columns at the portico (entrance) were carried all the way from Egypt! The dome is 43m high and Pantehon had the world's largest dome until 1436. Pantheon is a magnificent temple built more than 1800 years ago, standing at Piazza della Rotunda, a square that was named after the building. Today it is a reminder of the Roman Empire and is one of the best preserved Roman buildings in the world. Pantheon means "temple for all the gods" and that is exactly what it was until 609 when it was converted into a church. It is famous for it's dome with a hole on the top, called the Oculus, where sunlight ("the light of God") is shining down on the floor on sunny days. There have been 2 earlier versions of the temple on the site, but the current version of Pantheon, ordered by emperor Hadrian, was completed in 125AD. Brick walls and marble columns as well as the tombs of the famous artist Raphael and several Italian kings can be found here. The Corinthian columns at the portico (entrance) were carried all the way from Egypt! The dome is 43m high and Pantehon had the world's largest dome until 1436. Pantheon 022 Pantheon 023 View of Piazza della Rotunda from the entrance to Pantheon. Pantheon's columns were carried all the way from Egypt! Pantheon 012 Pantheon 013 Pantheon 024 Tomb of King Umberto I, Pantheon. Pantheon 027 Pantheon is famous for it's dome with a hole on the top, called the Oculus, where sunlight ("the light of God") is shining down on the floor on sunny days. Pantheon 015 The tomb of Vittorio Emanuele II, the 19th century famous king who was the first king of Italy, 1820-78. The tomb of Vittorio Emanuele II, the 19th century famous king who was the first king of Italy, 1820-78. The tomb of Raphael, the legendary Italian Renaissance painter and architect. The tomb of Raphael, the legendary Italian Renaissance painter and architect. Pantheon means "temple for all the gods" and that is exactly what it was until 609 when it was converted into a church. It is famous for it's dome with a hole on the top, called the Oculus, where sunlight ("the light of God") is shining down on the floor on sunny days. Pantheon 030 Pantheon means "temple for all the gods" and that is exactly what it was until 609 when it was converted into a church. It is famous for it's dome with a hole on the top, called the Oculus, where sunlight ("the light of God") is shining down on the floor on sunny days. Pantheon 032 Pantheon 033 Pantheon. The famous light that comes from the holte on the top. The side of Pantheon Pantheon 035 Pantheon 036 Pantheon 037 The "floating Indians" could be seen all over Rome, here at the Pantheon. Pantheon's backside. Centro Storico West 001 Centro Storico West 002 Centro Storico West 003 Centro Storico West 004. At the backside of Piazza Navona. Centro Storico West 005 Centro Storico West 006 Centro Storico West 007 Centro Storico West 008 Centro Storico West 009 Centro Storico West 010 Piazza della Minerva, Centro Storico West. Piazza della Minerva, Centro Storico West. Centro Storico West 013 Centro Storico West 014 Centro Storico West 015 Centro Storico West 016 Centro Storico West 017. Religious clothes store. Centro Storico West 018 Centro Storico West 019 Centro Storico West 020 Centro Storico West 021 Campo de Fiori 001 Campo de Fiori 002 Campo de Fiori 003 Campo de Fiori 004 Campo de Fiori 005 Campo de Fiori 006 Campo de Fiori 007 On Campo de Fiori you will find the statue of Giordano Bruno, a philosopher who was put to death here in the year 1600, because he stated that the Earth was not the center of the universe! The statue is looking towards the Vatican, blaming it for his death. It was financed by the freemasons. Campo de Fiori 009 Roof garden, Campo de Fiori. Campo de Fiori 011 Campo de Fiori 012 Campo de Fiori is a popular meeting place for locals, and here you find many open air restaurants with better prices then Piazza Navona. At this one we had antipasti and beer. Campo de Fiori is a popular meeting place for locals, and here you find many open air restaurants with better prices then Piazza Navona. At this one we had antipasti and beer. Campo de Fiori 015 Campo de Fiori with Giordano Bruno, a philosopher who was put to death here in the year 1600, and the moon. Campo de Fiori is a popular meeting place for locals, and here you find many open air restaurants with better prices then Piazza Navona. At this one we had antipasti and beer. Campo de Fiori really comes alive after dark. Campo de Fiori 019 Campo de Fiori 020 Brand of the Danish Tiger store, Largo di Torre Argentina. Largo di Torre Argentina is an ancient square with ruins of four republican, pre-empire temples, as well as the ruins of the theater, Teatro di Pompey. The square is situated in the historic Campus Martius (Field of Mars) area in central Rome. The oldest temple, the temple of Feronia, was constructed around 300BC. Today Largo di Argentina is famous for it's large number of stray cats, sometimes it is called the "Cat's forum", and it is surrounded by heavy traffic of cars and trams, here on the busy Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Coop store in a historic building, Largo di Torre Argentina. Largo di Torre Argentina 004 Largo di Torre Argentina is an ancient square with ruins of four republican, pre-empire temples, as well as the ruins of the theater, Teatro di Pompey. The square is situated in the historic Campus Martius (Field of Mars) area in central Rome. The oldest temple, the temple of Feronia, was constructed around 300BC. Today Largo di Argentina is famous for it's large number of stray cats, sometimes it is called the "Cat's forum", and it is surrounded by heavy traffic of cars and trams, here Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Largo di Torre Argentina 006. Ruins of ancient temples. To the right is Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Largo di Torre Argentina 007 The modern trams of Rome seen from Largo di Torre Argentina. Largo di Torre Argentina 009 Largo di Torre Argentina 010 East bank of the Tiber 001 East bank of the Tiber 002 East bank of the Tiber 003 East bank of the Tiber, looking towards the Palace of Justice near our hotel at Piazza Cavour on the West bank. East bank of the Tiber 005 East bank of the Tiber, looking towards the Palace of Justice near our hotel at Piazza Cavour on the West bank. East bank of the Tiber 007 East bank of the Tiber, next to the bridge Ponte Cavour. Tiber, the river that divides Rome into two. East bank of the Tiber, Between Piazza Navona and the East bank of the Tiber. Between Piazza Navona and the East bank of the Tiber. Between Piazza Navona and the East bank of the Tiber. There are many artists at Piazza Navona. It is hard to believe that this picture was taken just after a heavy rain/thunderstorm. There are many artists at Piazza Navona. It is hard to believe that this picture was taken just after a heavy rain/thunderstorm. Church near Piazza Navona. Centro Storico West Centro Storico West Centro Storico West Centro Storico West Centro Storico West Centro Storico West Multilevel skybridge at Piazza Montecitorio. Palazzo Montecitorio at Piazza di Montecitorio. Palazzo Montecitorio is the seat of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, part of the parliament. The building was originally designed by Bernini but in 1623 the construction work stopped for many years. Palazzo Montecitorio at Piazza di Montecitorio. Palazzo Montecitorio is the seat of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, part of the parliament. The building was originally designed by Bernini but in 1623 the construction work stopped for many years. Piazza Montecitorio with Palazzo Montecitorio. Obelisk of Montecitorio, Piazza Montecitorio. It was installed in front of the palace by Pius VI in 1789. Palazzo Montecitorio is the seat of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, part of the parliament. Preparing for a demonstration outside Palazzo Montecitorio, the seat of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, part of the parliament. Palazzo Montecitorio at Piazza Montecitorio. Palazzo Montecitorio is the seat of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, part of the parliament. Piazza di Monte citorio. Named after Monte Citorio, one of Rome's seven hills. Piazza Colonna is a square in Rione del Colonna, a neighbourhood in the city center near Via Tritone and Via Veneto. It was named after the Column of Marcus Aurelius that stands on the square. Piazza Colonna Palazzo Chigi, Piazza Colonna. The seat of the Italian government, formerly the Austria-Hungary's embassy. Palazzo Chigi, Piazza Colonna. The seat of the Italian government, formerly the Austria-Hungary's embassy. Piazza Colonna There are many police cars at Piazza Colonna. Column of Marcus Aurelius, Piazza Colonna. Column of Marcus Aurelius, Piazza Colonna. Piazza Colonna Via Tritone seen from Piazza Colonna.