piazza navona
Piazza Navona is one of Rome's most iconic public spaces, characterized by stunning architecture, captivating history, and a vibrant atmosphere that continues to enchant locals and tourists alike. Its roots reach deep into the city's history, tracing back to the time of ancient Rome, and the square's transformation over the centuries provides fascinating insights into Roman culture and society.
Historical Background
Piazza Navona's story begins with the Stadium of Domitian, constructed around 86 AD. Commissioned by Emperor Domitian, the stadium was designed as an arena for athletic contests, in the Greek fashion, as contrasted with the gladiatorial spectacles more common in Roman entertainment. As such, it was a vital part of Roman cultural life during the early Imperial period.
The stadium was an imposing structure, able to accommodate approximately 30,000 spectators. It was built in the classical Roman style, with a long, oval shape, surrounded by stepped seating, with the flat arena in the center. This ancient layout is reflected in Piazza Navona's long, narrow shape, a distinctive feature that sets it apart from Rome's other public squares.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, the Stadium of Domitian fell into disuse. Over time, buildings began to encroach upon the abandoned structure, and by the Middle Ages, a vibrant urban neighborhood had emerged.
Transformation into Piazza Navona
The transformation of the ancient stadium into a city square began in earnest during the Renaissance. The area, which had been known as "in Agone" (in the competition) due to its historical association with athletic contests, started to be paved over in the 15th century. Over time, "in Agone" gradually transformed into "Navone," and eventually, the name "Piazza Navona" was born.
In the late 16th and 17th centuries, Piazza Navona underwent a series of significant architectural developments. Pope Innocent X, from the prominent Pamphili family, played a crucial role in these changes. He wished to create a grand public space that would serve as a symbol of his family's influence and power.
The Pope commissioned the construction of the Pamphili palace (Palazzo Pamphili), which would serve as his family residence, and the Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, which was designed by renowned architects including Girolamo Rainaldi, Carlo Rainaldi, and Francesco Borromini. Both the palace and the church boast magnificent Baroque architectural features and are important landmarks in Piazza Navona today.
Cultural and Social Significance
Piazza Navona has served various purposes throughout its history, reflecting the cultural and societal changes of Rome. It has been a place of public markets, athletic games, Baroque theatrical presentations, and even, for a time, mock naval battles.
The square has also been the site of the city's main Christmas market, and it is a focal point for the Feast of the Epiphany, a significant religious festival in Italy.
The historical evolution of Piazza Navona underlines the continuous habitation and adaptation of Rome's urban fabric, highlighting the interaction between modern life and rich historical heritage. Today, it is a bustling place, full of cafes, street artists, and market stalls, offering a lively atmosphere that attracts tourists from around the globe.
three fountains
Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi
The central and most impressive of the three fountains in Piazza Navona is the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, designed by the acclaimed Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini and constructed between 1647 and 1651. Commissioned by Pope Innocent X of the Pamphili family, this fountain served as a statement of the family's power and prestige.
The fountain is an impressive display of Bernini's sculptural mastery, characterized by its dynamic, theatrical style. It depicts four river gods, each representing one of the four known continents of the world: the Danube for Europe, the Nile for Africa, the Ganges for Asia, and the Rio de la Plata for the Americas. Each god is accompanied by fauna and flora relevant to their respective continents. The river gods surround a massive Egyptian obelisk, a nod to Rome's relationship with antiquity.
The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi is not only an artistic masterpiece but also a commentary on global geopolitics of the time. It reflects Rome's worldview during the Baroque period, placing the city at the center of the known world. Its grandeur and detailing underscore the influence and ambitions of the Papal state.
Fontana del Moro
The Fontana del Moro, or Moor Fountain, located at the southern end of Piazza Navona, has a complex history. The original fountain was designed by Giacomo della Porta in 1575 under the commission of Pope Gregory XIII. Della Porta, who was also responsible for the designing several other important Roman fountains, created a simple basin with four tritons (mythological sea gods), but it wasn't until 1654 that the fountain took its present form.
In that year, under the direction of Pope Innocent X, Bernini designed and added the central figure, which gives the fountain its name. The figure is a muscular Ethiopian (known as the "Moor") wrestling with a dolphin. The dynamic, almost violent, struggle captured in stone adds drama and life to the otherwise serene Piazza.
Fontana del Nettuno
The last of the three fountains, the Fontana del Nettuno or Neptune Fountain, stands at the northern end of Piazza Navona. While the basin of the fountain is also a work of della Porta, and was completed in 1574, the fountain was left incomplete for over 300 years.
It wasn't until 1878, when Rome had become the capital of a newly unified Italy, that the fountain was completed. Antonio della Bitta was commissioned to design the statue of Neptune fighting with an octopus, and Gregorio Zappalà created the surrounding Nereids, cupids, and walruses. The addition of Neptune was an attempt to balance the themes of the other two fountains and further enhanced the grandeur of Piazza Navona.
The three fountains of Piazza Navona are much more than mere decorative elements in a public square. They each represent different eras in Rome's history, marked by shifts in power, style, and worldview. From della Porta's original 16th-century basins to Bernini's Baroque masterpiece and the 19th-century additions, the fountains narrate a tale of Rome's evolving culture and society.
Moreover, their respective themes - a celebration of the world's rivers, the depiction of a Moor wrestling a dolphin, and the god Neptune in combat with an octopus - offer an artistic interpretation of the changing relationship between man, nature, and the divine. Hence, the fountains serve as enduring historical, artistic, and cultural symbols that continue to captivate visitors and remind us of Rome's rich past and the timelessness of its grandeur.