PanethosFontane di Roma: Sculpted aquatic marvels of the Eternal City
Close up view of the Fountain of Neptune in Piazza Navona – the blog author’s personal favoriteUsually the first attractions one hears about regarding Roma, Italy are the Vatican and the Colosseum. The Trevi Fountain (Fontane) is usually high on the list too, but you may not hear of the hundreds of other fountains that dot the city. For us, these aquatic marvels, often sculpted in marble, were a particular highlight of the Eternal City.
We were particularly fond of the three fountains in Piazza Navona as well as the Quattro Fontane at the intersection of Via del Quirinale and Via XX Settembre where each corner of the intersection is graced with a unique fountain.
Trevi Fountain, while quite beautiful, is literally overwhelmed with tourists, making the experience much less than satisfying. Who knows if the recently enacted new two euro fee for those seeking close access to the fountain will make a difference.
Most endearing to this retired urban planner was the way these sculpted fountains served as a gathering place…a place of relaxation and contemplation…a third place to meet friends and family or to just people watch. The fountains also serve as a sanctuary…a place of respite from the hustle and bustle of the city surrounding you through the soothing “white noise” of the fountain’s gurgling waters.
American cities could learn a lot about placemaking from Roma and other Italian cities. From piazzas to fountains to gardens to monuments, many Italian cities radiate people-friendly attributes. One cannot help but become enamored with their endearing charm.
Provided below is but a small sampling of these wonderful works of sculpting art mixed with water — some are as much as 500 years old. Pax!
p.s. All photos are by the blog author.
_______
Fontana del Nettuno “Fountain of Neptune” (1574/1878) in Piazza del Navona Trevi Fountain (1762) Close up off Trevi Fountain Fontana delle Naiadi “Fountain of the Naiads” (1888/1912)_______
Quarttro Fontane
Diana (1593) The Arno (1593) The Tiber (1593) Juno (1593)_______
Teatro del Fontanone on Palatine Hill Bernini Fountain (1677) in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City Fountain of St. Peter’s Square (1614) in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City Fontana del Moro (1654) in Piazza del Navona Fontana dell’Adriatico “Adriatic Fountain” (1911) Fontana del Tyrennian “Tyrennian Fountain” (1911) Fountain in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi “Fountain of the Four Rivers” (1651) by Bernini in Piazza del Navona Close up of the Fountain of the Four Rivers Fontana del Tritone (1643) by Bernini in Piazza Barberini Fontana del Nettuno “Fountain of Neptune” (1823) at the Piazza del Popolo Fontana dell’ Obelisco: “Fountain of the Obelisk” (1823) in Piazza del Popolo#cities #fontana #fontane #fountains #fun #geography #history #Italia #Italy #landUse #peopleFriendly #placemaking #planning #Roma #Rome #sightseeing #tourism #travel
Stuart D Neilson
