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Rome's Piazza Navona - An Introduction

by: JillKammer
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Rome is perfect for outdoor activities. Of course, the wonderful indoor activities in Rome such as the museums, theaters, churches and cafes are not to be missed. But Rome truly is at its best when you view it from those wonderful piazzas all over town.

The public squares of Rome are also known as "piazzas". However you will notice right away that Rome's piazzas stand out from other famous international cities because they are filled with wonderful art and the people who love to gather outdoors to enjoy that art in many forms.

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.

When this fountain was created, it was so expensive that Rome actually put taxes on bread to fund the work. This resulted in loud complaints from every level of Roman society. That scandal is now part of the lore of this artwork to enhance the fun of relaxing and enjoying a coffee as the bustling metropolis goes 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.

Sprinkled amongst the many cafes, restaurants and shops of Piazza Navona are dozens of merchant stalls. Here you will find artists ready to sketch your portrait and capture this moment in time as you soak up the atmosphere of Rome.

There is plenty to do in the piazza once the sun goes down. The nightlife is active with tourists mingling with natives, beggars, mimes and artists all milling around in the crowded oval piazza. This active public space was built on an ancient circus, which was not a place where trapeze artists and elephants performed. Rather it is a circular public area where many streets come to a common intersection.

Don't miss out on the luxurious taste of a Tartufo at Tre Scalini. And you don't want to miss the ambiance at Rome's oldest existing bar, the Caffe della Pace. This is a great place to savor a Campari and some fine conversation and atmosphere. What a perfect way to prepare for a reverent visit to the Church of Sant'Agnese, just a short walk from the three famous Bernini fountains of the piazza.

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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