Piazza del Popolo

The Piazza del Popolo (English: People's Square) is a famous square in Rome that once resided near the Porta Flaminia, near the northern gate of the Aurelian Walls.

Database entry
''The future site of the famous Piazza del Popolo, in the early 15th century, the Piazza was merely the continuation of the Via Flaminia. As a result, it was most travellers' first view of Rome upon arrival.''

The powers that be eventually decided they'd rather the first impression of Rome be a little more impressive than a muddy expanse, so they set about building the beautiful square it is today.