The Christmas market stalls of Piazza Navona are set up on December 8 and throughout the next few weeks there are various events.
Kids can visit Santa Claus and parents can wander around in the happy and expectant holiday atmosphere of the market, taking in the sights and smells, munching biscotti, torrone and other Christmas delicacies and generally taking a break from hectic Christmas preparations.
Piazza Navone itself is located on the site of an ancient stadium and throughout the centuries it has been used for sports events of all kinds, including regattas and races. Today its most famous attraction is the spectacular Fountain of the Four Rivers, created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1651, under the patronage of Pope Innocent X. The fountain represents the Danube, the Nile, the Ganges and the Rio de Plata. The rivers flow down from an elevated reef supporting a Roman obelisk. Visiting the market also provides you with the opportunity to see two of Rome's other famous and spectacular fountains: the Fountain of the Moor and the Fountain of Neptune, which stands at the northern end of the square. Certainly one of Rome's more worthwhile sights, even in winter!
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