The Piazza Navona, also know as Circus Agonale, is the largest piazza in the city. It preserves almost exactly the shape and size of the ancient Stadium of Domitian, which once occupied this site. The stadium, which could hold approximately 30,000 spectators, was originally used for athletic contests. However, after the Colosseum was injured by fire in 217, it was used for several years for gladiatorial combats.

Three magnificient fountains decorate Piazza Navona: the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini (in the center of the piazza), the Fountain of the Moor by Bernini (south side of the piazza), and the Fountain of Neptune by Giacomo della Porta (north side of the piazza). To the western side of the piazza stands the delightful church of Sant'Angese in Agone. It is a magnificent Baroque building designed by G. Rainaldi and Borromini. Beneath it are some remains of the original church and of the Circus of Domitian.

Piazza Navona is an extremely lively place with open air cafes around it. During the summer there are numerous artists who draw or paint members of the public for a fee. The place is crowded each day and there are often buskers and sometimes mimes to entertain.

All around Rome are these neat drinking fountains. They look like a cylinder with a spout sticking out of the side. The water is continually running, so all you have to do is plug up the main hole and the water shoots out of a smaller hole at the top of the spout. It is really good water and really fun to drink out of. Kristi and I wanted to try it, so we figured "When in Rome, do as the Romans..."