The Piazza Navona

The Piazza Navona was built in 1644 over the exact area where Domitian’s Stadium used to stand and where games and horse racing took place from 86 CE. Now full of lusciously painted buildings, two fountains by Bernini, cafes and restaurants around its sides and artists selling their work in the centre, it is an attractive place to while away the hours or build up stamina for a visit to the Pantheon.

The much touted ice-cream desert, tartufo, is said to have originated here and one can still try it in the cafes as a splurge.