Monday, June 3, 2024

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona, Rome Italy

Piazza Navona is in the center of Rome and is one of the most beautiful squares, with its three fountains: Fontana del Moro at the southern end, and the Fountain of Neptune at the northern end, and the most famous of the three - Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, the Fountain of the Four Rivers, which was designed by Bernini and sits in the very center of the square.

When I visited Rome with my daughter in March of 2025, I had my very best meal of the entire trip at Ristorante Tucci, a cafe in Piazza Navona. Tucci is one of the few places that I found Fettucini Alfredo in Rome, and it was excellent!

Piazza Navona is always bustling with people, although during my visit in 2024 when it was pouring rain, there were a lot fewer people than are normally there. The three fountains of Piazza Navona are definitely worth the visit.

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi

The Fountain of the Four Rivers was featured in "Angels and Demons" starring Tom Hanks:

Angels & Demons filmed at the Fountain of Four Rivers

The Fountain of the Four Rivers - this sculpture of a man with an oar represents the Ganges River, and it was sculpted by Claude Poussin

On the right of his photo of the Fountain of the Four Rivers you see the veiled man, who represents the Nile River, and he was sculpted by Giacomo Antonio Fancelli

This sculpture of a man with running horses represents the Danube, and it was sculpted by Antonio Raggi

The horse is a symbol of Europe and is believed to have been carved by Bernini himself

Sculpture representing the Rio de la Plata River, and carved by Francesco Baratta

This unique pattern in the brick around the fountain was replicated in the movie "Angels and Demons"

The obelisk in the Fountain of the Four Rivers is one of 13 obelisks in Rome, and was taken from Egypt

Fontana del Moro

The Fountain of the Moor was built in 1570 and was designed by Giacomo della Porta and later updated by Bernini in the 1650's. Many believe the central figure is a Moor, or African, but it is unclear whether Bernini intended this.

Fontana del Moro, designed partially by Bernini

The fountain represents a Moor, or African, wresting with a dolphin and being guarded by 4 Tritons

Fontana del Nettuno

The Fountain of Neptune stood at the northern end of Piazza Navona without sculptures in it for 300 years. The basin was completed in 1574 and the sculptures were added in 1878. It was designed by Giacomo Della Porta.

Fontana del Nettuno, Fountain of Neptune, is a symbol of papal power

Sant' Agnese in Agone

Ristorante Tucci in Piazza Navona

The very best meal I had in Rome during my trip in March of 2025 was at Ristorante Tucci in Piazza Navona. We enjoyed sitting at this outdoor cafe and enjoying the view of the three fountains, especially the Fountain of the Four Rivers, which was right next to this cafe. There are not many restaurants where I have found fettucine alfredo, but Tucci not only had fettucine alfredo, but it was excellent!