The square sits immediately adjacent to the ancient Trajan Port, which has functioned as a harbor since the Roman era.
The centerpiece sculpture, 'The Kiss' (Il Bacio), is crafted from aluminum and weighs approximately 2,000 kilograms.
The piazza was renovated to better accommodate the massive influx of tourists arriving from the adjacent cruise terminal.
It is situated directly across from the site where Emperor Trajan originally commissioned the port in 106 AD.
The location serves as the starting point for the 'Passeggiata,' a common Italian tradition of an evening social stroll.
Piazza della Vita serves as the primary waterfront gateway to Civitavecchia, functioning as the main pedestrian hub connecting the cruise terminal to the historic town center. The square is defined by its wide, open expanse that overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea and the ancient port walls. It is the site of the massive 'The Kiss' statue, a 25-foot tall sculpture inspired by Alfred Eisenstaedt's iconic V-J Day photograph. The piazza acts as a transition zone for thousands of cruise ship passengers entering the city. Its layout incorporates benches and paved walkways specifically designed to manage high foot traffic from the harbor. The site provides unobstructed views of the Forte Michelangelo, a Renaissance-era fortress built to protect the papal port. It is largely a transitional space rather than a destination for extended leisure, serving as an architectural buffer between the industrial port activity and the urban district.
Directly in front of 'The Kiss' statue with the sea or the Forte Michelangelo in the background.
Use the nearby public restrooms in the terminal area before wandering into the city center.
If you are arriving by cruise ship, follow the designated pedestrian paths marked on the pavement to safely navigate toward the town.
Visit the information kiosk located at the edge of the square for updated walking maps of the historical district.
Do not accept 'free' gifts or trinkets from street vendors who often target tourists entering the square from the port.
