Located directly in the center of historic Rome, Campo de' Fiori is a popular destination for local shoppers as well as tourists. While technically open to cars, the plaza is primarily a pedestrian zone—the market’s numerous stalls share the space with musicians, peddlers, and daily throngs of visitors. The market runs all day, and when the sun sets, the many ristoranti surrounding the square begin extending their outdoor seating options to accommodate the nighttime crowd— the Italian dinner “hour” often reaches late into the night. The plaza is safe, well-kept, and cleaned each day after the disassembly of the market. Campo de' Fiori is a thriving social center with a long-standing cultural history, and it is a must-see for anyone taking in the sites and scenes of Rome.

Like the city of Rome itself, Campo de' Fiori has a long history. Once a wild meadow, the area now known as Campo de' Fiori (meaning “Field of Flowers”) has been a site of vibrant cultural and economic activity since as far back as the 15th century. The square was paved during the Renaissance and surrounded by streets named after their specific trade activity, such as Via dei Baullari (coffee makers) Via dei Giubbonari (tailors) and Via dei Cappellari (hat makers). It soon became host to a twice-a-week horse market, and as the region became wealthier, more and more houses, shops, and inns began to populate the surrounding area.

Along with its unique commercial history, the square has also been the site for various political and cultural events—from Papal visits and protests to public executions. Notably, the execution of astronomer Giordano Bruno in 1600 is memorialized with a bronze statue that overlooks the market square. A major daily fish and vegetable market set up shop on the square in 1869, which has been in operation ever since. Today, Campo de' Fiori is a bustling daily market that sells fresh food and culinary treasures in addition to textiles, flowers, local art, and crafts of all kinds.

Myrabella via Wikimedia Commons, Erin via Flickr, Patrick Morgan via Flickr