Piazza Farnese

Facing the imposing Palazzo Farnese, now home to the French Embassy, this square owes much of its restrained elegance to its more famous designer, Michelangelo, who contributed to the palace's architecture. The two large granite basins in the piazza were originally taken from the ancient Baths of Caracalla and repurposed as fountains in the 17th century. Compared to the bustle of nearby Campo de' Fiori, Piazza Farnese stays noticeably calm, a deliberate contrast given its role as an embassy address. It's a nice quiet pause for visitors who've just come from the busier market square.