Piazza del Popolo

This is one of the prettiest piazzas in Rome - it's name means Plaza of the People.  It sits at the north entrance into the city and was built to be a beautiful sight for people coming into the city.  The twin churches (both names Santa Maria del something) were built on purpose to be the first thing you would see when you came through the portal (seen along side the picture of the churches is the portal - Porta del Popolo and another church named Santa Maria del Popolo.  The picture above is taken from up the hill in Villa Borghese Park - a great place for a stroll through some amazing plants and sculptures.