Piazza di Sant'Eustachio

It's still early in Rome and light passes over its warmly hued walls, reflects from the antlers of a deer head atop Chiesa Sant'Eustachio, the cross of the Holy Roman Catholic Church resting between them. Small cafes scattered around the building dwindle open, elderly locals gathering outside to play cards in the small, diamond shaped piazza. Pigeons dawdle to and from their chairs in hopes of breakfast. 

Piazza Sant"Eustachio is located on Via di Sant'Eustachio, a block west of the Pantheon and via della Rotonda. Though located just a minute walk beside the unmissable Pantheon di Roma, the sight feels quite local and hidden as the area is often overpassed by tourists, an easily missed corner of the city. 

Piazza Sant' Eustachio is named after the medieval monument founded in the 8th century. Before being founded as a church, it's medieval name was Regio Sancti Eustachii et Vinee Tedemarii, referring to a cultivated vineyard owned by a prior owner. The church's original use was to be a diaconia, or center for helping the poor and the sick. Over centuries that followed, it's uses were of many, and it was reconstructed nervous times in numerous styles, today resting in a much-evolved three tiered- simple baroque columned structure. Today the church is used a place of worship and obvious historical site, as well an ever-working location for feeding homeless on a schedule. 

Sant'Eustachio Il Cafe fills with espresso-seekers and those seeking to soak up some sun and read the paper, a must go-to if in the Piazza. On the right side of the church, mini jeweler and crystals shops lay tucked behind falling ivy, and if interested, you. are certain to be greeted by quiet elegant Italian women, who sit in their shops and create in the medieval Piazza. Also on the right side if the church you can find two columns to the remains of the Baths of Neri.

    

What gave it the name Sant'Eustachio?

According to legend, around the year 100 AD a military general named Placidus came across a stag while hunting, and as he took aim to kill the animal, heard a voice ask, "Pladeus, why are you persecuting me?" After this encounter, believing he had heard the voice of God, he immediately converted to Christianity and  changed his name into Eustachius. Years later, he publicly refused to worship the God Apollo, him and his family received an ad bestias sentence, meaning to be mauled by animals. When the execution took place, the animals refused to touch the family and so, they were burned to death in the Bronze Bull instead. 

Two Coat of Arms representing Sant' Eustachio. As you can see, in one it is Eustachius himself between the antlers. In the other, the cross reported to have been seen is shown. 

 While on a stroll through Rome, whether in the soft morning light or evening Roman sunset, it is understandably tempting to spend hours at the main sights of the city, in all their grandeur and historical significance. However, if you find yourself by the Pantheon, consider spending some time in Piazza di Sant'Eustachio, a serene and whimsical feeling place, full of myth and ancient energy.