Piazza di Pietra is the name of a square in the rione Colonna in the historic center of Rome. The name (“Square of Stone”) refers to the columns of what used to be a temple dedicated to Emperor Hadrian, now incorporated into the Palazzo della Borsa (Stock Exchange). The square is further chacterized by some 17th and 18th century buildings and a small shrine dedicated to the Madonna della Purità.
A brief history of the Piazza di Pietra in Rome
Construction of the Piazza di Pietra was started in 1662, under Pope Alexander VII. The work was completed under Innocent VII, who was Pope from 1691 until his death in 1700. The latter used the remains of Hadrian’s Temple, earlier serving as a hospital, to build the Palazzo della Dogana di Terra. Various buildings, including church of Santo Stefano del Trullo and the Arco dei Pazzarelli had to be demolished in order to create the square and the street that is now the Via dei Bergamaschi.
What to see
Temple of Hadrian (Palazzo della Borsa)
The Temple of Hadrian was built in 144 AD by Hadrian’s son and successor Antoninus Pius. Eleven of the thirteen temples of the right flank of this temple have been incorporated in the Palazzo della Borsa (the former customs house Palazzo della Dogana di Terra). The temple was eight colums wide, It was preceded by a wide staircase and an arch. Not much remains of the cella that used to contain an altar and a statue of Hadrian, although its outer wall can be seen between the columns. The identity of the building was only ascertained in the 1920’s, when excavations took place. The trench beside the building indicates that the street level used to be about 4 meters lower than it is today.
Madonna della Purità
The building the Madonnella in the Piazza di Pietra is attached to is privately owned. The work dates back to the mid-19th century. The Madonna della Purità derives its name from the two symbols she is holding, the iris and the heart.
Collegio dei Bergamaschi
The building known as Collegio dei Bergamaschi was built in 1729. It was constructed by the Brotherhood of the Bergamaschi (people from Bergam), together with a hospital, several apartments to rent out and the Church of the Santi Bartolomeo e Alessandro dei Bergamaschi. Gabriele Vavassori designed the main entrance, The ground floor houses the famous Gran Caffè la Caffettiera.
Sources
- Lucentini, Mauro, The Rome Guide – Step by Step through History’s Greatest City.
- Touring Club Italiano, Roma.