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Rome's Piazza Navona - An Introduction |
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by JillKammer
When you go to Rome, you can easily find many delightful indoor sights such as the museums, theaters, churches and bars. But at heart Rome is a city that is seen best from one of the artistic piazzas that can only be enjoyed outdoors. That is why - for many - Rome will always be an outdoor city.
In Italian, the word "piazza" means public square. Rome's piazzas are distinctive from other famous international cities because in every way public squares are where citizens and tourists alike gather to admire a wide variety of outdoor art.
There is no better place to admire the fountain work of the famous artist Bernini than at the Piazza Navona, where the Fontana dei Fiumi or the "Fountain of the Four Rivers" was built in 1651. Here in the public square Bernini's students executed four immense sculptures around an artistic obelisk sitting on top of a central rocky pedestal. One of those students was Claude Poussin who executed "the Ganges" as part of this fountain and who later went on to fame and renown himself.
This fountain is alive with a variety of life including a lion, a palm tree, a monster from the sea and a myriad of other figures all blended artfully together around the center of the fountain.
The story goes that to raise the funds for this expensive fountain, taxes were actually placed on bread which infuriated the citizens of Rome, from the poorest to the most wealthy. That bit of history now is a fun part of the background of the fountain to discuss over a relaxing cup of coffee as you watch the busy city go by.
Just across the piazza is another magnificent fountain that has the sea god Triton riding a dolphin as its centerpiece. The "Fountain of the Moor" is a great place to relax and take in the activity in the public square, catch some warm sun on your face or discuss with your travel mates what site to see next in the Piazza Navona. The piazza is full of things to see, do and taste that will enhance your experience just as much as the wonderful and artistic fountains outdoors.
Along the rows of cafe's, restaurants and shops in the piazza, you will find dozens of stalls where merchants offer their wares and services. Here you can stop and have your portrait skilfully sketched by the many artists who populate this public gathering place.
There is no shortage of nightlife that continues non-stop until the sun comes up. At any time you might encounter a mime, a beggar, an artist as well as throngs of tourists and Roman natives all enjoying the oval plaza together. The piazza is ideal for such public life because it was built around what is called an ancient circus. This is not a lively animal show but an intersection of many streets in one circular area.
Don't miss out on a delightful Tartufo from Tre Scalini. Or for a great story to tell, go to Caffe della Pace, the oldest extant bar in the city. What a wonderful place to soak up some atmosphere and enjoy a Roman delicacy like a Campari. Afterwards, take in the night air as you stroll to the Church of Sant'Anese for mass or confession, only to return later to admire those famous Bernini fountains just a short walk away.
One of those fountains is the Fountain of the Coppersmiths or the "Fontana dei Calderai" which later came to be known as the Fountain of Neptune. This artwork takes the fountain theme of sea creatures to the next level with its many denizens of sea including sea horses, sea nymphs, an octopus and the great sea god Neptune himself. Rose marble construction that was used to create this magnificent fountain was also used for the doorjambs at St. Peter's.
For the music lover, a short walk away is a great spot for some classical music often performed at the Piazza Sant'Eustchio. Or from here you can easily find a bus that will take you to the Pantheon for some sightseeing.
Rome's public squares - which oddly enough are universally round - are a sight and an experience not to be missed on your next trip to Rome.
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