Piazza Mattei
Piazza Mattei
4

Top ways to experience Piazza Mattei

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles120 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
50
Average
21
Poor
2
Terrible
1

545medva
Budapest, Hungary3,901 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2017 • Couples
On the square there is the famous Fontana delle Tartarughe, which is according a nice tale was built in one night. The other attractions is the Palazzo Mattei with a beautiful courtyard - full of statues.
Written September 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KTGP
Adelaide, Australia5,865 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2016 • Couples
Piazza Mattei is a very small, quiet piazza, named after the Mattei family, a powerful part of Rome’s nobility from 11th century, with the height of their power being in the 16th century. Fontane delle Tartarughe/Turtle Fountain is at the heart of the piazza and is the main attraction.

Fontane delle Tartarughe/Turtle Fountain, created 1581-1588 and the turtles were added in 1658. Four bronze youths are pushing four bronze turtles into the upper marble basin. The youths have a foot placed on a bronze dolphin, which spouts water into a shell shaped marble basin.

Palazzo Mattei di Giove built 1598-1618, was designed by Carlo Maderno for Asdrubale Mattei. Take a peek inside the beautiful courtyard, filled with statues and ancient Roman reliefs.

Palazzo Costaguti built 16th century stands on the ruins of an ancient Roman temple, which later became a church. The large portal to the palace is off Piazza Mattei, while the rest of the building is on Piazza Costaguti.
Written November 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dana p
Montreal, Canada5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2015 • Solo
A hidden gem bordering the Jewish Ghetto, this gorgeous piazza's piece de resistance is the elegant Fontana delle Tartarughe (Turtle Fountain). Take a break from your tour of Rome in this lovely piazza and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Written August 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rjaffelieb
Jerusalem, Israel194 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2015 • Couples
This black-on-white fountain is the center of a rich historic area. Bordering the Jewish ghetto, the Pope had ordered water provided for the Jews but the family entrusted with the piazza refused. Pays to read more before going because there are no signs and little in the way of historic record on the spot. Have fun with the turtles, probably added by Bernini in a nod to the Jews for being tough and carrying their home on their back!
Written July 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

nb888
Nottingham, UK379 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2015 • Couples
On my second trip to Rome this was the only thing I really wanted to see. Oh yes and that cake shop with the grumpy women serving. I never made it to the cake shop but I got my wish here with a pleasant square well off the beaten track, a nice couple of cafes around it and a relaxed atmosphere. This meant that with a *tick* to indicate that I had visited I had more time to be able to realise my other ambitions while on holiday: lots of cheeses and salamia and gelato.. not at the same time though. mmm.
Written May 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maggi713
Baltimore, MD12,366 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2018 • Couples
This piazza is another hidden jewel in the heart of the Jewish Ghetto. It takes the name from the patrician Mattei family, whose palace is adjacent to the Costaguti palace. The square is famous for the "Fontana delle Tartarughe" (Turtle Fountain).
Written June 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia50,924 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017 • Couples
Piazza Mattei is a lovely little piazza with a beautiful turtle fountain in the middle. It's a 16th century creation and obviously has a long history behind it. It is small and peaceful but there is no need to go out of your way to visit. We just happened to come across it while walking the streets of the city. If you are nearby, then it would be worth having a closer look.
Written October 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ogi0
Sofia, Bulgaria22,812 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2017 • Friends
Nice, small quiet square near Largo Di Torre Argentina and Ghetto. There is a very nice tortoise fountain in the square.
Written April 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Romanbiker
Rome, Italy894 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2016 • Solo
One of the most beautiful fountains in Rome...and a hidden gem. The "Fontana delle Tartarughe" (The Turtle Fountain) goes back to the late Italian Renaissance. It was built between 1580 and 1588 by the architect Giacomo della Porta and the sculptor Taddeo Landini. The bronze turtles around the upper basin, usually attributed either to Gian Lorenzo Bernini or Andrea Sacchi, were added in either 1658 or 1659 when the fountain was restored. A MUST SEE!!!!!!
Written November 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kebnertravel
Portland, OR249 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016 • Friends
I've realized that I'm a fountain lover, so finding this little gem of a piazza was very nice! The highlight is obviously the Tortoise Fountain. I was on my way to Campo Dei Fiori and wanted to add this in to see, because, well...why not! It's actually really cute. I enjoyed the small piazza that it was in, though there was nothing there other than the fountain to see. I wish there was a small cafe even to sit in, but really it's just a bunch of parked cars and there were hardly any people around when I happened to be there. Nice spot in the center of Rome.
Written October 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Piazza Mattei - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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