The name of the square literally “square of the people” probably it’s because Pope Pasquale II built the church "Santa Maria del Popolo" and then the square using entirely tax money instead of church belongings.

The Basilica has its foundations on Nero’s tomb. It was first built in XI century, then re-built in 1477 and finally restored in 1660 by Bernini. That’s the one we can see today. Also the “Twin Churches” were completed by him.

The square it’s the beginning of what we call “the trident” which is composed by the three streets Via del Babuino, Via del Corso and Via di Ripetta.
The huge Egyptian obelisk (1200 bC), set in the center of the square, was brought in Rome by Augustus and used to be in the Circus Maximus. In 1589 the Pope Sisto V placed it here.

Piazza del Popolo is in a “strategic position”: on one side, just outside the walls, there’s Villa Borghese with its quiet park, on the other side you have the teeming activity of the Capital city. The Villa is a big green area, the Borghese Gallery is east of it, it’s a very interesting art gallery ad museum.

On the other side of the river there’s Saint Peter. To get there you have to cross the bridge and walk thru Via Cola di Rienzo which is a street with plenty of shops, like Via del Corso but much cheaper!
The square is also very close to the Spanish Steps and from Piazzale Flaminio is very easy and quick to get to the Colosseum which is otherwise not walking distance.