Piazza del Popolo, the centre of Plaza in Rome

#visitrome The Piazza del Popolo is a large square in the centre of Rome surrounded by many historical buildings, churches and structures with streets leading to them. It means "People's Square" in the modern context although derived from the Latin word 'Populus', which the church of Santa Maria del Popolo takes its name. The layout was designed by architect Giuseppe Valadier in a neoclassical style between 1811 and 1822. An Egyptian obelisk of Ramessess II stands in the middle of the Piazza. There is a gate which serves as a de facto entrance called the Porta del Popolo, and there is a fountain at the west side called Fontana del Nettuno.