Piazza Trilussa Tours and Activities

Located at the western end of Rome’s prettiest bridge, the Ponte Sisto, the Piazza Trilussa is in bohemian Trastevere, the city’s hard-drinking, clubbing district that comes alive at night when the backstreet bars are packed out. Named after a Roman poet from the 19th century, the cobbled square is home to a monument in his honor as well as the stately Acqua Paola water fountain, carved with the heads of dragons and lions. This travertine fountain was commissioned by Pope Paolo V, a member of the all-powerful Borghese family, and constructed in 1613 by Dutch architect and garden designer Giovanni Vasanzio (Jan van Santen in Dutch); it bears the Borghese family crest. Originally it was located on Via Giulia on the east side of the River Tiber but was reconstructed in its present home in 1898. Recent renovation work on the Acqua Paola have seen the restoration of the gardens behind it and the building of steps leading up to the fountain; these have now become are one of the most popular meeting places for the youth of Rome, and summer nights see the piazza crammed with crowds pouring out of the neighboring clubs and bars.