Navona area. Piazza Navona
The name "Navona" came into use at the end of the Renaissance, it means " big boat"(from Italian word "nave" - "ship"), because the shape of the square resembles a sea vessel.
According to another version, the name of the square comes from the phrase "in agony", i.e. "in the arena", which later changed to Navona.
In the semi-basement of the house, located on the northern side of the square, the ancient entrance to the stadium has been preserved.
The greatest impression is made by the fountains installed on piazza Navona.
In the center rises the famous fountain "Four Rivers" works by Gianlorenzo Bernini (1652). A huge obelisk sets the vertical axis of the fountain. It was not brought from Egypt, but was made in Rome at the beginning of the 4th century. Its height is 16.53 m. Around are allegorical figures of the Danube, Ganges, Nile and La Plata rivers, which symbolize the four continents - Europe, Asia, Africa and America.
Fountain "Four Rivers"
Obelisk
Behind the fountain is Church of Sant Agnese in Agone. The authorship of the project is attributed to Francesco Borromini, Bernini's eternal rival. In fact, the work was carried out by the workshop of Girolamo Rainaldi; Borromini also worked there, but left a year before. The construction was completed by Carlo Rainaldi.
The church is called the pearl of the Roman Baroque.
It is dedicated to the martyr Agnes, who is considered one of the most revered saints of Rome.
There is a legend according to which the Christian Agnes was exposed naked in front of a crowd of pagans in the stadium of Domitian, but her hair was instantly grown back and her nakedness was hidden.
The girl was stabbed with a dagger and buried in a necropolis located on via Nomentana.
The Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone is richly decorated. Pope Innocent X (Giovan Battista Pamphilius) is buried under the main altar. Next to the square is the palazzo where the Pamphilius family lived; it now houses the Brazilian Embassy.
WITH right side from the Church of Sant'Agnese is Palazzo De Cupis, built in the 17th century. In 1730, the De Cupis family became related to the Ornani, and the Ornani Theater was opened on the ground floor of the building, which soon became famous thanks to puppet shows. In 1840, the theater changed owners and name, becoming the Emiliani Theater. And the palazzo was acquired by the Tuccime family, which in 1870 experienced a fierce struggle for inheritance. As a result, the palace was divided into two parts. Now there is a hotel here.
Fountain of the Moor by Bernini (1654) is located on the south side of the square.
Fountain of the Moor
Neptune Fountain is located in the northern part. It was built over the course of a century, as they tried to match the style of the square. The project involved such masters as Della Porta, Bernini and Bita, who created the statue of Neptune in 1878.
Neptune Fountain
Until 1869, a market took place on Piazza Navona on weekends, which was then moved to Piazza Campo de' Fiori.
Charles de Brosse in “Intimate Letters on Italy” Charles de Brosse wrote: “Place Navona, once the circus of Emperor Alexander Severus, could be considered a wonderful place if it were not so dirty, but since there was a vegetable market here, it looks worse than Place Maubert. However, it must be admitted that the fountains here are somewhat better than those on Place Maubert.”
Now the Befana Fair is being held in Piazza Navona, which previously took place on piazza Sant'Eustachio. The fair runs from December 8 to January 6. During this period, the square is filled with toy Befans flying on a broom, colorful balls, Christmas tree decorations and Christmas souvenirs.
On the south side of Piazza Navona is the famous talking "talking statue" by Pasquino.
Popular rumor tells about the tailor or shoemaker Pasquino, who lived behind the Braschi palace; he was not afraid of critical comments and free-thinking speeches addressed to the authorities; he dressed his speeches in poetic form and hung them on an antique torso. Thus began the tradition of writing "lampoon"- satirical poems.
The statue dates back to the 3rd century BC. It was found in 1501 during excavations of the Orsini Palace (now the Braschi Palace).
"Talking Statue" by Pasquino
This is where it starts via del Governo Vecchio, on which there are numerous old houses.
We'll walk through via di S. Pantaleo, let's cross a busy avenue corso Vittorio Emanuele II, which comes out white Palazzo Cancelleria, its façade looks out onto a narrow and long square.
Construction of the palace was completed in 1495; the not very famous architect Antonio da Montecavallo worked on it. The owner of the palazzo was Cardinal Rafael Riario, great-grandson of Pope Sextus IV. After 20 years, the building was confiscated because Riario participated in a conspiracy against Pope Leo X. Thus, the papal office began to sit in the palazzo. During the Napoleonic occupation it housed the royal court, the Roman Parliament in 1848 and the Assembly of the Roman Republic in 1849. Nowadays it houses the Apostolic Office, the Higher Church Court and the Roman Pontifical Academy of Archeology. The Palazzo is famous for its spacious “Hundred Days” hall, which was designed by Giorgio Vasari in the 16th century. The frescoes depict episodes from the life of Pope Paul III. The huge building also swallowed up the church of San Lorenzo in Damaso, founded in the 4th century.
Let's walk along Palazzo Cancelleria and find ourselves in the square Campo de Fiori, which is one of the most famous and characteristic Roman squares, attracting many tourists.
Market at Campo de "Fiori.
Its name translates as “field of flowers” and refers to the times when daisies, poppies and other fragrant flowers flourished here.
The square was laid out in 1456.
In 1478, the market moved here from the Capitol, and life began to boil, osterias, trattorias and hotels began to open. Among them, the most famous establishment was "Locanda della Vacca", which was located next to the alley vicolo del Gallo.
It was ruled by Vannozza dei Cattanei, the official mistress of Pope Alexander VI Borgia, who was the mother of Lucrezia, Cesare, Juan and Gioffre. They were all born in the palace, which still bears the family's coat of arms. It is divided into four zones: a bull is placed on the top left, six light and dark bands are placed on the bottom right, a lion on its hind legs and a lion leaving on the top right and bottom left.
Little is known about Vannozza's origins. Their relationship with dad lasted 15 years. The common children were officially recognized by Alexander VI.
Vannozza died at the age of 76. last years she spent in repentance and charity.
In the middle of the Campo de "Fiori square there is a statue of the philosopher Giordano Bruno, who was burned alive on this place on February 17, 1600. The bronze monument, full of ominous sorrow, was made by the talented sculptor Ettore Ferrari in 1889; there are eight medallions in a circle with famous heretics, as well as panels with scenes from Bruno's life.
Previously, in the center of the square there was a fountain in the form of a white marble bowl decorated with bronze dolphins. But in 1924 it was moved to the New Church to make room for shopping arcades, and a similar fountain was installed a little further.
Campo de' Fiori is the only Roman square on which not a single church overlooks. The entire space is absorbed by a picturesque market, despite the fact that the prices here are high, there will always be buyers. In addition, in the market rows you can find rare gastronomic things that are not found in other places in Rome and Italy. For example, all kinds of spices, of which there are more than a hundred varieties.
Spices at the Campo de' Fiori market
From the northern side of the square there are two narrow streets: via dei Cappellari And via del Pellegrino. At the beginning via del Pellegrino on the left side there is an arch with a small and very beautiful courtyard, which is called .
Then you can continue your walk around Rome along the route “From Piazza Navona to the Tiber”, during which you will see the Palazzo Farnese, the picturesque Via Giulia, the Borromini perspective in the Palazzo Spada, as well as the Church of San Giovanni Florentines, where Francesco Borromini is buried.
Or go to the Pantheon to get to know the Pigna area, i.e. "Bump", see the "Church of All Saints", the Baroque Church of St. Ignatius di Loyola with optical illusion, “talking statues”, as well as Piazza Venice.
Between Piazza Navona and the Pantheon lies the Sant'Eustachio district, don't miss it to see Caravaggio's works and much more.
Last modified: February 15, 2019
The famous square, located in the historical center of the Eternal City, has long been especially loved by its residents and is the most popular tourist destination in the Italian capital. Piazza Navona delights with the splendor of its medieval fountains, baroque architecture buildings located here and the unique lively atmosphere created by actors and musicians performing in front of onlookers, street artists, merchants and numerous tourists.
Important information
Domitian Stadium is an object World Heritage UNESCO and was opened to tourists in 2014. The archaeological complex can be visited daily from 10:00 to 19:00. Presented on a smartphone admission ticket costs 8 euros, includes the use of an audio guide in 6 languages, including Russian. You can buy a ticket
Like many other ancient buildings ancient Rome, gradually collapsing and partially buried under the sand and silt of the flooding Tiber, Domitian's stadium was dismantled, and its parts served as building materials for the construction of new urban structures.
Beginning in the 1400s, the huge space was used as a market square, which also hosted city celebrations, festivals and processions. The Spanish community of Christian believers, the center of which was built here in 1450. The church of Sant Giacomo degli Spagnoli was paved with cobblestones and partially arranged, but the entire architectural ensemble of Piazza Navona visible today was created thanks to the efforts of Olimpia Maidalchini (1591-1657), better known as Donna Olympia.
Donna Olympia, who created Piazza Navona
Donna Olimpia, a native of the Roman province of Viterbo from the aristocratic family of the condottiere Sforza Maidalchini, was a strong-willed, ambitious and purposeful woman.
After his first early marriage with one of richest people province Paolo Nini, who left her a widow after three years of marriage, she married Pamphilio Pamphili (1564-1639), who was 27 years older. He was the brother of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Pamphili (1574-1655), who later took the papal throne under the name Innocent X. Evil tongues said that Donna Olympia was more attached to her brother-in-law than to her husband, and had affairs with him love affair. The power-hungry woman demanded from her high-ranking relative the construction of a palace that would correspond to the new position of the Pamphilya family in society.
Curious facts
Residents of the Eternal City still remember the times when the magnificent Roman square was briefly turned into a lake and, for fun, battles were even staged on it in the style of naumachia - ancient Roman battles on water. For two hundred years in hot summer days, on weekends, the drains of the three fountains in Piazza Navona were blocked, and the square was flooded, to the great delight of all residents of the capital.
According to historical evidence, the first such event occurred on June 23, 1652, when the pontiff’s daughter-in-law, Donna Olimpia Maidalchini, who wanted to have fun, persuaded him to fill the concave surface of the square with water. The flooding continued until late morning next day and since then, such an event was repeated annually, until the death of Innocent X. Soon, for sanitary reasons, the entertainment was banned, and only 27 years later, Pope Clement XI (1649-1721) again allowed water festivals in the Roman square. Pope Pius IX finally banned the construction of Lago di Piazza Navona (Lake on Piazza Navona) in 1866, and after Rome was declared the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, the surface of the square was leveled, paved with sampietrini - black basalt, which finally made it impossible to organize all kinds of water games on it.
Phantoms of the Square
As mentioned above, the urban population of Rome hated Maidalchini, who had a huge influence on the Pope and was immensely enriched during his pontificate. After the death of Innocent X, she hid for a long time, the pontiff lay unburied for several days, and Donna Olympia fled from Rome without allocating a single scud for the funeral. She took with her as much jewelry as she could carry. Last time her carriage, full of gold, was seen overturned on the Ponte Sisto bridge. The new Pope Alexander VII forbade her to leave the enclave of San Martino al Cimino, which had been granted to her along with the princely title by Innocent X, and where she died two years later of the plague. It is said that since then her ghost, riding in a carriage, appears on this bridge every year on January 7, the day of the Pope's death.
Today Piazza Navona is an exceptional landmark in Rome, attracting thousands of visiting tourists from all over the world. It is a favorite meeting place for residents of the Eternal City, where you can have a great time watching the slowly flowing streams of water from the magnificent fountains, providing coolness on hot summer days. In winter, the historic Roman square turns into a Christmas market, opening annually on December 8th - the day of the celebration of the Solemnity Immaculate Conception Blessed Virgin Mary. New Year's fun is in full swing here for almost a whole month, returning to past times and reminiscent of an old-fashioned Italian Christmas. But at any time of the year, having visited Piazza Navona at least once, everyone will forever leave this unforgettably warm corner of the Eternal City in their hearts.
Where is it and how to get there
Many tourists usually do not ask this question, since this Roman square is located in the historical center of the Eternal City, exploring which, sooner or later, everyone who comes to Rome ends up there.
Well, for those who have purposefully planned to visit Piazza Navona, it is worth noting that it is located quite far from metro stations, so the best way to get here is by bus running along Corso del Rinascimento. The closest public transport stops to the square are Senato and Rinascimento, where bus routes No. 70, 81, 87, 492, 628, as well as N6 and N7 stop, running only at night.
Story
In 80 AD. Domitian's stadium (Stadio di Domiziano) was built in Rome. This building was a gift from Emperor Titus Flavius (Latin: Titus Flavius Domitianus) to the residents of the capital. Most often it was used for sporting events.
Model of the stadium on the site of modern Piazza Navona
The second name of the stadium is Agonov Arena (from the ancient Greek “ἀγών” - “competition”). It is to this term that Piazza Navona owes its name. In the first centuries of our era, the stadium was called “campus agonis”; closer to the Middle Ages, this term was transformed into “n’agone”. The name was eventually simplified to "navona". The ancient stadium had impressive dimensions: 275 by 106 meters, the number of spectators was 15 thousand! The building was richly decorated inside and out. The arches around the stadium housed hawker centers and entertainment venues. It is noteworthy that one of the brothels near the stadium later turned into a church.
I omit the details of the Early Christian period of Rome, when on the north side of Piazza Navona in the 12th century, on the ruins of the stadium of Domitian, the church of Santa Maria del Sacro Cuore, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was erected.
Let's briefly go through the Baroque era. It is impossible without this, since Piazza Navona is the most outstanding example of Baroque that can only be found in Rome. The Baroque era came to this corner of the capital thanks to the Pamphilj family at the end of the 15th century. One of the representatives of this family subsequently accepted the rank of Pope and took the name Innocent X. The Pope decided to build a family palace in the southern part of Piazza Navona. The interior decoration of the palace was done by Francesco Borromini. Palazzo Pamphili boasts 23 rooms and a beautiful gallery that runs through the entire first floor of the mansion. In 1672, the Church of St. Agnes was attached to the palace building (I will talk about this church a little later), in which Pope Innocent X was buried. Today, the Brazilian Embassy is located in the palace building. As the guide told us, Brazil pays Italy 1 Euro per day for renting the palace. The Italian Embassy in Brazil costs the same price.
Southern part of Piazza Navona. On the left is the Palazzo Pamphili with the Brazilian flag.
And now about the main thing. For me, Piazza Navona is associated primarily with fountains.
Fountains
Piazza Navona in Rome is decorated with three Baroque fountains, the main one, of course, the Fountain of the Four Rivers.
Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi)
Before telling and showing the fountain itself, a few words about the Obelisk in the center of the fountain
Obelisk(16 meters in height) was made in Egypt from Aswan granite by order of Domitian. The hieroglyphs were already painted in Rome: a hymn to the emperor Domitian and the deified Vespasian and Titus. After the construction of the Circus of Maxentius on the Appian Way, it was installed in the middle of the arena. The obelisk was located among the ruins of the circus until 1651, when Pope Innocent X ordered it to be moved to the square. The antique pedestal of the obelisk was never found. The modern pedestal is made of red granite. The top of the obelisk is decorated with a metal dove with an olive branch - the coat of arms of the Pamphili family. Thus, the Pamphili family tried to give more significance to their possessions. Then, the talented architect Gianlorenzo Bernini (Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini) found a way to advantageously beat a 16-meter stone pillar. The elegant baroque fountain was decorated in 1648-51 with statues of river deities patronizing the Nile, Danube, Ganges and La Plata.
Thus, in the center of Piazza Navona was the Fountain of the Four Rivers, in which the waters of the ancient Roman aqueduct splash.
Fountain of Neptune (Fontana del Nettuno)
In the north of Piazza Navona is the Fountain of Neptune. It was built by Giacomo della Porta in 1574. The original incarnation of the fountain was modest and did not contain any decorations. Only in late XIX century, a simple stone pool filled with water was decorated. Powerful figure sea god, an octopus striking with its trident, added character to the city reservoir. The authorship of the sculptural group of the Neptune Fountain belongs to the architect Antonio della Bitta.
The Neptune Fountain is always crowded
Fountain of the Moor (Fontana del Moro)
In the southern part of the square is the Moor's Fountain (Fontana del Moro). This man-made reservoir appeared in 1576 according to the design of the architect Giacomo della Porta. Initially, four stone newts were installed in the waters of the fountain. However, in 1654, the Moor Fountain was redesigned by master Bernini.
By order of Olympia Maidalchini (whose mansion Palazzo Pamphilj was located just opposite, and is visible in the photo on the right side), the fountain acquired more secular gloss. In the center of the fountain grew the figure of a Moor competing with a dolphin.
I mentioned above that in 1672 the Church of St. Agnes was attached to the palace building.
This is what the Church of St. Agnes looks like from the north side, and it is connected to the Palazzo Pamphilj.
The Church of St. Agnes, skillfully decorated with Baroque script, is a true decoration of the square. The basilica was built according to the architectural design of Francesco Borromini. Opposite the front of the church is the most impressive of the three springs, the Fountain of the Four Rivers. At one time, Borromini and Bernini worked together, until the struggle for influential customers upset their cooperation. There is a popular legend among Roman guides (which we were also told) that competitors managed to embody their hostility in the decor of the capital’s attractions. Sculptures of men embodying the four rivers allegedly defiantly turn away from the façade of the church. And the statue of St. Agnes looks condemningly from its height at the sculptural group of the famous fountain. In fact, the fountain was built 21 years earlier than the church. Therefore, malice on Bernini’s part is a clear invention. As, indeed, is the excessive severity of the face of Agnes of Rome. Although, we must admit, the legend turned out to be quite entertaining.
The Legend of Agnes of Rome
There is a curious story about the life of a Roman girl named Agnes (lat. Agness). A beautiful maiden lived in Rome in the 3rd century AD, she accepted Christian faith and was preparing to devote herself completely to the church. Unfortunately, the Roman prefect was in love with her, who did not want to hear about the refusal. Angry with the pious Agnes, the official ordered her to be undressed and sent in this form to a brothel that flourished near the stadium of Domitian. The intercessors did not abandon Agnes in difficult times; her loose hair helped to hide from the burning eyes of the crowd. The angels brought a snow-white robe in which the Christian believer put on. In the brothel, the girl also found herself under the protection of faith; all the Romans left the captive’s room in shame. In January 304, an unbroken Roman woman suffered martyrdom at the hands of soldiers. In the middle of the 17th century, in the very place where it was located ancient house tolerance, a temple was built in honor of Agnes of Rome. Sant Agnese in Agone is an elegant snow-white basilica made in the Baroque style. The façade of the church looks out onto Piazza Navona, inviting travelers to look inside. The head of Saint Agnes is kept in the church as a venerated relic.
A fragment of the temple of Sant Agnese in Agone with the figure of Agnes is an elegant snow-white basilica, made in the Baroque style. The façade of the church looks out onto Piazza Navona, inviting travelers to look inside. The head of Saint Agnes is kept in the church as a venerated relic.
April, 2016
"You can take the whole world, but leave Italy to me"
Giuseppe Verdi
More details about walks in Italy can be found in the book: " ITALIAN HOLIDAYS"
ITALIAN HOLIDAYS
This book can serve as a short guide to Italy in 7 days:
Three days in Rome(Piazza Venice. Piazza Navona. Trevi Fountain. Piazza di Spagna. Capitoline Hill. Roman Forum. Colosseum and Triumphal arches. The mouth of truth. Bridges and embankment of the Tiber. Pantheon and Rotunda Square. Roman Castles (Castelli Romani). Appian Way. Grottaferrata, Crypt Ferrata. Frascati. Castel Gandolfo. Tuskul. Streets of Rome.
Two days in Florence: Church of Santa Maria Novella. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Baptistery of San Giovanni. Republic Square. Piazza della Signoria. Ponte Vecchio. Uffizi Gallery. Basilica of San Lorenzo. Santa Croce (“Holy Cross”) Piazzale Michelangelo. Palazzo Pitti.
One day in Venice: Murano. St. Mark's Square and Cathedral. City Tour.
In the book I also included non-tourist routes, very interesting and little known. to a wide circle travelers. I hope that the book will also arouse interest among those who have already visited these places, and they will be pleased to once again mentally walk through familiar places, remember and compare this virtual trip with their own impressions of this amazing and beautiful Italy.
Book price 100 rubles
Hundreds of tourists visit Piazza Navona in Rome every day, not even realizing that at the dawn of history, competitions or bloody battles took place here every day, and thousands of spectators chanted the names of the winners.
Excursion into history
"Piazza" translated from Italian is a square. As for the name, some historians have come to the conclusion that the name “Navona” has been transformed from the original “agon” – translated from Greek means “competition”. Others claim that the name comes from the ancient Roman “in agone” - “in the arena”, which was later converted into “navona”.
Piazza Navona owes its appearance to the spectacle-loving Caesar. On the site of the current square in Rome, Caesar's Stadium was located, built back in 46 BC. This stadium was a temporary structure where athletes demonstrated their power and advantage over their opponents - fist fights, running competitions, discus throwing.
Soon, given the popularity of the competition, the stadium changed from temporary to permanent, was expanded and decorated with statues and bas-reliefs. Sometimes the arena was specially flooded with water and naval battles were staged - they were no less popular among fans of the “spectacle”.
During the days of persecution of Christians, this arena turned into a place for demonstrative execution and slaughter: animals were released on believers, and thousands of spectators watched the mortal battle with rapture.
Later, in 86 AD Emperor Domitian, who was a big fan of various sports competitions, ordered to expand the stadium (now its width was 105 meters, length - 275 meters, and the capacity was 15 thousand people), and also to equip trading shops and entertainment establishments (including brothels) in it.
By the 15th century, instead of a stadium, the square turned into a huge trading platform – trading shops multiplied, trade developed between cities and countries. Part of the stadium (where the stands were located) was built up with houses. Palaces, temples, fountains appeared, and the Virgin Aqueduct was built. The square gradually gained popularity among the Romans, eventually becoming a place national holidays and festivities.
Main attractions around
Many Romans call this square the great confrontation between two architects - Bernini and Borromini. Two masters competed to be the best, trying to surpass their opponent, and the result of this confrontation was the sculptures and fountains in Piazza Navona.
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Fountain of the Four Rivers in Rome. Represents 4 great rivers - the Nile, Ganges, Danube and La Plata - and, accordingly, 4 continents (Africa, Asia, Europe and America).
Built by the architect Giovanni Lorenzo (Gianlorenzo) Bernini, commissioned by the Pope. In the center of the fountain is an ancient Egyptian obelisk covered with hieroglyphs, the height of which is almost 16.5 meters.
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Church of St. Agnes. The Baroque style building was designed by the architect Francesco Borromini. This church has its own legend - it was built in honor of the Holy Great Martyr Agnes. Young 13-year-old Agnes, who converted to the Christian faith, was exiled to a brothel for refusing a famous Roman prefect.
They wanted to hand over the girl to be torn to pieces by the soldiers, but The angel who appeared to her did not allow the girl to be violated: as soon as her clothes were torn off, Agnes’s hair suddenly grew back and covered her from immodest glances. Later, the girl suffered martyrdom, and the church declared her a saint.
The church named after her was consecrated in 1123, as indicated by a commemorative plaque, and the construction itself began in 1652.
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The famous Neptune fountain in Rome, built in 1574 by the architect Giacomo della Porta, initially did not have any decorations - simple form and the severity of the lines distinguished this fountain.
Only at the very end of the 19th century did the sculptor Antonio della Bitta give the fountain a finished look, creating a sculptural group - the figure of a formidable sea god who strikes a giant octopus with his trident.
- Fountain of the Moor also by della Porta. The initial project contained only 4 figures of tritons, and only almost a century later (1654) the fountain was reconstructed by the master Bernini, who added several sculptures to the overall composition - the central place was given to the figure of a Moor fighting with a dolphin, and figurative images of fish were also added.
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Palazzo Braschi was built in 1792 for a close relative of Pope Pius VI. The author of the project was the architect Cosimo Morelli. But military actions intervened in the construction, namely the invasion of Napoleon.
Construction had to be frozen until 1811. Later Italian government could not find a use for such a luxurious building: in the post-war period the palace served as a refuge for several hundred Italian families, and in 1952 it became a museum.
The palace has its own attraction - a sculpture dating from the Hellenistic period, found during excavations on the site of the current palace.
On this figure, the shoemaker Pasquini, who lived nearby, hung satirical poems (libels) denouncing the authorities. Following him, other residents of Rome hung their lampoons on this statue.
Do you know why they are remarkable? Find out everything Interesting Facts about each of the seven!
When traveling around Rome, you will definitely need to know the city's metro map. Useful information on the topic you will find
Piazza Navona is lost in the narrow neighborhoods of central Rome, like almost all of its famous attractions. It's always very crowded here. Streams of tourists flock here from all sides. Who is on his own, and who is part of large excursion groups, led by guides, on different languages repeating the same stories and legends about this square.
Piazza Navona is a rectangle elongated from north to south, shaped like a sports arena. And this is no coincidence. In ancient times, this place was actually an arena where athletic competitions were held. The original stadium was built as a temporary stadium under Julius Caesar. Then in 85, under Emperor Domitian, the stadium was expanded and could accommodate up to 15 thousand spectators. The renovated stadium was named after Domitian, and its main purpose was to host sports competitions.
In the Middle Ages, the stadium began to be reconstructed. Arcades surrounding the stadium with outside, in which shops of traders and artisans and brothels were located, were demolished. The remaining foundations served as the basis for the construction of medieval houses. The stadium arena turned into a square, which became the venue for celebrations and fairs.
2.
The first church in Piazza Navona was built in honor of the Holy Martyr Agnes. Agnes was born into a family of one of the first Roman Christians. According to legend, the girl attracted the attention of the son of the Roman perfect Sempronius, but rejected his advances because she took a vow of celibacy, deciding to devote herself to a charitable Christian life. The perfect was angry at her insolence, and when it turned out that the girl was a Christian, who were persecuted in those days, Agnes was given a choice: either she makes a sacrifice to the Roman gods, or she will be thrown into a brothel in disgrace. True to her faith, Agnes refused to honor the pagan gods. The perfect ordered that she be taken to the brothel naked, but when Agnes’s clothes were torn off, a miracle happened. The girl's hair instantly grew so much that she could cover herself with it. And later to the one thrown into brothel An angel appeared to the girl and brought her a blanket. The miracles didn't end there. All the men who tried to take possession of Agnes lost their masculine strength and left in shame. The unlucky groom also visited the girl, but before he could get close to her, he suddenly died. Agnes resurrected him with her prayers, after which she was sentenced to be burned at the stake as a witch. But the prepared fire did not flare up and Agnes was killed with a blow of a sword.
The church, called Sant'Agnese in Agone, was founded in the arcades where the brothel was located. In 1652, it was decided to rebuild the church. The work was led by Girolamo Rainaldi, and a year later he was replaced by Borromini, who radically redesigned the original plan, changing the replacement of the façade and creating a central part with a massive dome. All that remains of the medieval building is the site of the martyrdom of St. Agnes.
3.
Another one interesting story connected to the magnificent “Four Rivers” fountain, built right at the entrance to the Basilica of St. Agnes. In 1644, Pope Innocent X decided to erect an Egyptian obelisk, brought to Rome by Emperor Caracalla, next to the Pamphilj family palace. A competition was announced for the best project. Due to the machinations of his enemies, Bernini was the only one who was not allowed to participate in this competition. But Bernini had a patron, Prince Ludovisi, who, by luck, was married to the Pope’s niece. On the advice of friends, Bernini made a model of the fountain he had planned, which was brought to the Pope's house without warning and placed in the living room before breakfast. After breakfast, Pope Innocent saw Bernini's creation and was simply delighted. The question of choosing a project resolved itself.
Bernini presented the finished fountain in a solemn atmosphere at first only for the Pope himself. Dad looked at the exquisite monument with pleasure for more than an hour. As he was leaving, he asked when the water would be turned on, but Bernini lied and avoided answering. But when the Pope turned to leave, Bernini gave a sign and the fountain came to life! Dad was delighted! After this, the fountain was shown to the residents of Rome.
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The sculptural composition of the fountain symbolizes the four continents of the world in the form of figures representing their rivers: the Danube represents Europe, the Ganges - India and the Asian continent, the Nile - Africa, La Plata - America. In the center of the ensemble stands the very obelisk that caused all the fuss.
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By the way, there is a story that guides like to tell. If you look closely, all the figures made on the fountain look in the direction opposite to the Church of St. Agnes. And the Moor of La Plata seemed to shrink back from something in horror.
8.
According to rumors, in this way Bernini subtly took revenge on his ill-wishers, namely the creator of the Basilica of Sant'Agnese in Agone Borromini, with whom Bernini was at odds. It is known that Boromini considered the design of the Church of St. Agnes tasteless. Although, of course, this story is just idle speculation. The fountain was opened a little earlier than the basilica.
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In addition to the Fountain of the Four Rivers, there are two more fountains in Piazza Navona: the Fountain of the Moor and the Fountain of Neptune. It is to them that the square owes popular name"The Square of Three Fountains." Both of these fountains are much more modest than the fountain of four rivers. Meanwhile, they perfectly complement the fountain ensemble of the square.
The Fountain of the Moor, located in the southern part of Piazza Navona, originally had no sculptures at all. The fountain was decorated with the central figure of the Moor by the same Bernini. The remaining figures appeared already in the 19th century.
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The Neptune Fountain, located on the opposite side of the square, also had no sculptures and acquired them only by the 19th century.
Today Piazza Navona is one of the main tourist attraction areas in Rome. The free space in the northern part of the square is densely occupied by souvenir sellers and street artists, and along the perimeter there are many colorful restaurants.
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