Rione Paper

Pigna, the ninth Rione of Rome is one of the smallest, but hosts many of Rome’s most famous sites.  Pigna means “pinecone” due to the large bronze pinecone statue that used to reside in the gargen of the Temple of Iside and Serapide.  The statue is now seen in the Vatican Museum between two peacock statues. Medieval legend said that the pinecone statue served as a lid to the Pantheon.  The pinecone is also the crest of the Pigna Rione. This Rione is almost square in shape and its corners are marked off by some of the most well known sites, the Pantheon, Piazza Venezia, L’area sacra di Largo Argentia, and Piazza Di San Ignazio.

The Pantheon is one of the most recognizable sites in the world.  The name Pantheon means “all gods” and it was thought that it was built as a temple of the Gods.  It was built by Marcus Agrippa and later totally destroyed and rebuilt by Hadreon in 110 AD.  Throughout the Ancient World, the Pantheon had the largest cement dome, until 1958.  During the Renaissance times, the square in front of the Pantheon became a busy marketplace and shall shops and taverns began to open.  Pope Pius VI later shut it down because it was becoming to busy.  When it became a church, a small bell tower was added to the peak of the roof.  Gianlorenzo Bernini later replaced it with two smaller towers.  These were eventually taken down in the 1800’s because the local people would refer to them as ‘donkey ears’ or ‘big ears’.  When the Pantheon was originally built there were several steps leading down to the street making the dome impossible to see until people entered.  But due to ground level rising, the dome is visible from the front, taking away Agrippa’s ‘surprise’ dome.  There was also bronze lining the roof of the porch when the Pantheon was built, but it was later melted down and used to produce cannons and also to decorate the Vatacin.  Inside the Pantheon, the dome and floors play with a unique pattern of squares and circles and the way the architecture is made the dome appears to be held up by only a couple of columns.  The Pantheon is one of the most recognized sites in Rome and continues to be one of my favorites today.  There is nothing as breath-taking as admiring the work of one of Rome’s great architects while eating a delicious gelato from Giolitti, Rome’s most famous gelato shops!

Another one of Pigna’s sites is the L’area sacra di Largo Argentina.  John Burkard, who was the master of ceremonies for Pope Alexandra VI, gave the name to the area.  He was from Argentoratum, now Strasburg, but he gave the area the name “Argentina” as a tribute to his childhood. It was discovered in 1926 during construction work.  This area holds the remains of the Theater of Pompey where the four temples ruins represent the most sacred buildings of the middle and late Republican period.  Today, the remains are home to the cat sanctuary, where people can come and adopt cats.  It is the largest of Rome’s cat sanctuaries.  When I first arrived in Rome, I wasn’t aware of what L’area sacra di Largo Argentina was or what it represented, but today it has become one of my favorite places to pass. 

The Piazza Di San Ignazio marks the third corner of the Pigna Rione.  This piazza is home to two palaces designed by Filippo Raguzinni, an Italian architect renowned for his buildings during the authority of Benedict XIII and the church of Saint Ignazio.  The area opposite the church was designed to replicate a stage theatre.  In 1685, the Church of Saint Ignazio was constructed over another church in an effort to accommodate the growing number of students attending the Roman College, where the original purpose of the college was to teach and instruct priests of the Jesuit order.  Inside the church an imaginary dome is painted.  Father Andrea Pozzo painted it due to the lack of funds to construct a real dome.  Today, visitors are still tricked by the illusion.

The last corner of the Pigna Rione is outlined by Piazza Venezia.   Piazza Venezia is one of the most famous squares in Rome and sits at the foot of the Capitolline Hill.  It also connects some of the key streets in Rome, like via dei Dori Imperiali, via del Corso and via del Plebiscito.  The name originated from Palazzo Venezia, locted a few blocks away.  The piazza was proclaimed the “Forum of Italy” after Mussolini decided it was the seat of government and gave his speech there.  One of the main attractions of the piazza is the Victorian National Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II.  This monument hosts the Altar of the Fatherland and the Unknown Solider.  The Unknown Solider is the grave of an unclaimed solider from World War I and represents the countless anonymous soldiers who died in battle.  Via del Corso is one of the main roads leading to the Piazza Venezia. Formally via Lata it used to be home to many noble families who built their mansions there.  Today there are several nearby Victorian houses that often host art exhibitions.  Piazza Venezia has been one of the places that really make me feel like I’m in Rome.  Everyday I am constantly amazed by the mix of ancient of modern architecture.  Taking the bus around Rome, I also pass this piazza and see the Victorian National Monument to Vittorio Emanuele and am awed by the magnificence of it. 

Pigna has become one of my favorite Riones.  The rich history and timeless monuments make it popular to both tourists and locals alike.  Since it is such a city center, this Rione has few residents. The sites in Pigna contribute to Rome’s culture and bustling tourist activity.  For any one visiting Rome, this rione is a must see!!