Piazza Navona, Rome

The highlight of the Piazza Navona is the Fountain of the Four Rivers. Designed by world-famous Italian sculptor Bernini in 1647-51, the fountain celebrated the reign of Pope Innocent X. Supporting the obelisk, each sculpture of the fountain represents a river from a different continent, i.e. the Nile,  the Ganges, the Danube and the Rio de la Plata.

There are two other fountains in the square, often overlooked, but equally charming. The Neptune Fountain and Moor Fountain were created by Giacomo della Porta. The Neptune Fountain depicts the god of freshwater and the sea, surrounded by his nymphs. The Moor Fountain displays a moor holding a dolphin.

Sadly the Piazza is overrun by tourists, and local people in the cafés and bars are conspicuous only by their absence, so try to visit it early in the morning before the hurds have hit the cafés and restaurants. 

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona, 00186 Rome, Italy

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