Circus of Agonalis

  • The Circus of Agonalis, also known as the Stadium of Domitian, was completed in 86 CE and was where the ‘Agones’ or ‘Games’ were held in Rome.
  • It was located in the Campus Martius. The space has been preserved and is marked by an oval kerb around the Piazza Navona.

Getting There

  • Location: Piazza Navona, Rome.

Piazza Navona

  • The Piazza Navona is the former Circus of Agonalis, created by Domitian for chariot races and competitive athletics.
  • Originally, there was a stadium with seating for 20-30,000 spectators.
  • An oval kerb surrounding the square draws the outline of the former circus.
  • The Piazza holds three fountains:

 

  • Fontana dei quattro Fiumi
    • Meaning Fountain of the Four Rivers was created in 1651 for Pope Innocent X.
    • It holds the Agonalis Obelisk.
  • Agonalis Obelisk
    • In the middle of the fountain is a the Agonalis Obelisk or Obelisk of Domitian, which is a Roman copy of an Egyptian Obelisk, commissioned by Domitian.
  • Fontana del Moro
    • The fountain was created in 1575 and has a basin with four Tritons to which, in 1873, a statue of a Moor wrestling with a dolphin was added.
  • Fontana di Nettuno
    • The Fountain of Neptune was created in 1574 and the statue of Neptune was added in 1878.

 

Piazza Navona

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