Piazza della Rotonda

Piazza della Rotonda is the small, trapezoidal square in the historic centre of Rome immediately in front of the Pantheon. The piazza is notable for its 16th-century fountain and the Egyptian obelisk set atop it in 1711.

The square is dominated by the portico and dome of the Pantheon on its western side and by the fountain-and-obelisk ensemble at its centre, creating a compact urban space frequently lined with cafés and tables. The fountain was executed by Giacomo Della Porta in 1575 and the obelisk was added to the fountain in 1711, giving the piazza a clear central focal point.

The open space in front of the Pantheon has been an urban node since antiquity, evolving around the temple rebuilt under Emperor Hadrian in the early 2nd century AD. The present fountain dates to the Renaissance (1575) and the obelisk was placed on the fountain by papal order in 1711; the piazza’s form has remained largely stable since the early modern period.

The piazza sits in Rome’s historic centre in the rione of Pigna, immediately outside the Pantheon and within easy walking distance of other central sites such as Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain. It is a compact, pedestrian area surrounded by narrow historic streets and buildings.

• Viewing tip: Best seen early in the morning to avoid heavy tourist crowds or after sunset when the square is lit and the outdoor cafés are quieter.
• Practical note: Pedestrianised central space with outdoor cafés; the historic fountain and obelisk occupy the centre and seating is limited during peak hours.

What to See #

• Fontana del Pantheon (fountain): A late-16th-century fountain set at the centre of the piazza, originally designed by Giacomo Della Porta in 1575 and later modified when the obelisk was added in the early 18th century.
• Obelisk (Obelisco del Pantheon): An Egyptian obelisk mounted on the fountain in 1711 by order of Pope Clement XI, standing above the basin and forming the piazza's vertical focal point.
• The Pantheon (façade): The front facade and portico of the ancient Roman temple rebuilt under Emperor Hadrian in the early 2nd century AD, which dominates the square's western side.