Campo de’ Fiori in Rome

Just steps away from Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori is one of Rome’s most picturesque squares, featuring an enticing fruit and vegetable market.

What’s on the agenda? Shopping at the market, enjoying a delightful café break, and wandering through the charming surrounding streets.

Follow the guide!

A Brief History of Campo de’ Fiori

In ancient Rome, Campo de’ Fiori was a vast meadow stretching between the Tiber River and the Theater of Pompey. The area remained pastureland until the 15^th century, giving it its name: Campo de’ Fiori, meaning “field of flowers” in Italian.

Why? The Tiber is a capricious river prone to frequent flooding. Until the Renaissance, Roman builders avoided this flood-prone area.

In the 15^th century, Pope Callixtus III paved Campo de’ Fiori and revitalized the surrounding neighborhood, Parione. Numerous buildings (inns, shops, workshops) were constructed around the square, which became a popular gathering place for Romans. A horse market was even held there twice a week.

Campo de’ Fiori also saw numerous public executions. In 1600, the monk and philosopher Giordano Bruno, a supporter of the heliocentric theory following Copernicus, was executed for heresy. In 1889, sculptor Ettore Ferrari erected a commemorative statue at the exact spot where Giordano Bruno was burned alive nearly three centuries earlier.

Since 1869, the square hosts a fruit and vegetable market every morning except Sunday. In the afternoons, the market stalls give way to countless café terraces.

Exploring Campo de’ Fiori

Campo de’ Fiori Market

Attention food lovers! Vibrant and colorful, Campo de’ Fiori’s market is a must-visit for any traveler passing through the capital.

What’s on offer? Fruits and vegetables, herbs, olive oil, spices, fresh fish, meats, poultry, and all sorts of local products.

If you’re staying in an Airbnb or an apartment and plan on cooking your own meals, this is the perfect place to do your shopping. However, be cautious of tourist traps. Captain Ulysses advises following the locals and avoiding overly flashy stalls!

One last warning: pickpockets operate at Campo de’ Fiori market. Keep a close eye on your valuables!

Statue of Giordano Bruno

Erected at the exact spot where the Dominican monk was burned alive, Giordano Bruno’s statue has stood in Campo de’ Fiori since 1889, despite the Vatican’s efforts to remove it.

The statue has become a symbol of free speech and faces towards the papal residence.

The inscription on the base of the statue reads: A BRUNO – IL SECOLO DA LUI DIVINATO – QUI DOVE IL ROGO ARSE (“To Bruno – the century he foresaw – here where the fire burned”).

Dolce Vita at Campo de’ Fiori

Every afternoon, countless café terraces replace the market stalls. The square is renowned for its many cafés and restaurants, including the historic Taverna della Vacca, where Romans and tourists gather for coffee, wine, or a delicious meal.

The Surrounding Area of Campo de’ Fiori

In the Middle Ages, the area around Campo de’ Fiori was the hub of Roman artisans, as evidenced by the street names: Via dei Balestrari (street of the crossbow makers), Via dei Baullari (street of the trunk makers), Via dei Cappellari (street of the hat makers), Via dei Chiavari (street of the locksmiths), and Via dei Giubbonari (street of the jacket makers).

Today, the streets surrounding Campo de’ Fiori are still full of craft shops and ready-to-wear boutiques. Via dei Giubbonari, in particular, is a shopper’s paradise!

Practical Information

Campo de’ Fiori is located midway between Palazzo Farnese and Piazza Navona.

The nearest bus stop is C.So Vittorio Emanuele/Navona (lines 46, 62, 64, 916, 916F, n46, n98, and n904).

The closest metro stations are Barberini – Fontana de Trevi (line A) and Colosseo (line B), each about 20-25 minutes’ walk from Campo de’ Fiori.

The market operates every morning from Monday to Saturday.

Skip the lines: book your tickets and tours in Rome!

Credits
Andy Montgomery | Stephanie Kraus | Frank Schmidtke | Francesca Soria