The Northern gate to the city of Rome was called Porta del Popolo (People's Gate) because through it entered the pilgrims coming to Rome from all over Europe.

At the end of XVIII century it was decided to made a new urban arrangement of this area, enlarging the square behind the gate with the intention to present a suggestive and imposing scenery which could accordingly show the greatness of the Church of Rome and the ospitality it gave to the pilgrims.

Among the preexisting buildings they saved the Porta del Popolo, the obelisk in the center of the square and the twin churches on both sides of Via del Corso, but all around they opened a wide space delimited by two hemycicles decorated with statues and fountains. The western side integrates with city buildings, while the eastern side climbs the small hill of Pincio, integrating with greenery.

At the mouth of Via del Corso, the main city road in Rome connecting to the Capitol and the Imperial Forums, there are the so-called Twin Churches: the Church of Santa Maria di Montesanto (St.Mary of the saint mount) and Santa Maria dei Miracoli (St.Mary of Miracles), simmetrically placed on both side of the avenue to give a suggestive scenery to people entering the city, made by Carlo Rainaldi.

Inside the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo (St.Mary of the people) there are many important works of art: frescoes by Pinturicchio inside the chapel Della Rovere; sculptures by Sansovino on two funeral monuments; paintings by Caravaggio inside the Chapel Cerasi and finally the Chigi Chapel, on project by Raffaello Sanzio.