The 6th rione (district) of Rome is called Parione and it is one of the most interesting and picturesque neighborhoods of the Eternal City. Its main attractions are the Campo de’ Fiori and the Piazza Navona, two of the most famous squares of Rome.
Parione District Rome (R. VI)
History and description
The name Parione derives from a wall that used to circle the Stadium of Domitian and was colloquially called the Parietone. The Stadium of Domitian was later converted into the current Piazza Navona.
When Augustus was Emperor, this part of the city was still part of the the 11th regione, called Circo Flaminio. Around the year 1200 the name was changed to Parione e San Lorenzo in Damaso.
Parione gradually became more and more important as a neighborhood. After the Campo de’ Fiori was paved this became one of the most prestigious squares of the city, a role later assumed by the Piazza Navona.
At the end of the 15th century, under Pope Sixtus IV, the streets were widened. Noblemen and welathy citizens in generally started to move into the district. Several important palazzi were either restored or destroyed and completely rebuilt from scratch. The newly constructed Ponte Sisto connected Parione to Trastevere.
In the 17th century, Bernini redesigned Piazza Navona. At the same time, empty spaces between already existing buildings were filled up with new palaces.
When building the most important street in the area, the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the facades of some of the buildings were completely taken down, to be rebuilt slightly further back.
Parione District Rome Tourist Attractions
The main attraction of the district is Piazza Navona, with its Fountain of the Four Rivers and the Sant’Agnese in Agone Church. The Campo de’ Fiori is another attractive square, with a famous daily food and flower market. Beautiful historic buildings include the Palazzo Braschi (now a museum) and the Palazzo Pamphilj.
Streets and squares
The district is crossed by the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. When it was built, the facades of some of the palaces along this street were demolished and rebuilt a few metres back. The most beautiful squares are of course those mentioned above.
Public transport
There is no metro stop in the Parione district. This will not change for the time being, as Rome is short on finances, and there is no money yet to extend line C further. From Roma Termini take bus 40 or bus 64.