Piazza Navona - Rome, Italy
N 41° 53.992 E 012° 28.389
33T E 290397 N 4641746
Defined as a public space in the last years of 15th century, when the city market was transferred there from the Campidoglio, the Piazza Navona was transformed into a highly significant example of Baroque Roman architecture.
Waymark Code: WMPRHG
Location: Lazio, Italy
Date Posted: 10/13/2015
Views: 27
It is built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, built in 1st century AD, and follows the form of the open space of the stadium.[1] The ancient Romans went there to watch the agones ("games"), and hence it was known as "Circus Agonalis" ("competition arena"). It is believed that over time the name changed to in avone to navone and eventually to navona.
It features important sculptural and architectural creations: in the center stands the famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi or Fountain of the Four Rivers (1651) by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, topped by the Obelisk of Domitian, brought in pieces from the Circus of Maxentius; the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone by Francesco Borromini, Girolamo Rainaldi, Carlo Rainaldi and others.
Piazza Navona has two other fountains. At the southern end is the Fontana del Moro with a basin and four Tritons sculpted by Giacomo della Porta (1575) to which, in 1673, Bernini added a statue of a Moor, or African, wrestling with a dolphin. At the northern end is the Fountain of Neptune (1574) also created by Giacomo della Porta; the statue of Neptune, by Antonio Della Bitta, was added in 1878 to create a balance with La Fontana del Moro.
At the southwest end of the piazza is the ancient 'speaking' statue of Pasquino, erected in 1501. Romans could leave lampoons or derogatory social commentary attached to the statue.
Name of Source Book: 1,000 Places to See Before you Die 2010 paperback edition.
Page Location in Source Book: 194
Type of Waymark: Site
Location of Coordinates: Photographed site
Cost of Admission (Parks, Museums, etc.): 0.00 (listed in local currency)
List Available Hours, Dates, Season:
24x7
Official Tourism Website: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
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