Your gaze is immediately drawn to the imposing fountain of the four rivers in the center of the piazza, dominating the scene with its powerful presence and figures that seem to come alive from the. Very well written with many accounts of historically important events happening along the waterways. Book a hotel near fountain of the four rivers fontana dei. While romes love affair with fountains, in general, goes back to the antiquity, during the baroque era it took another twist in which roman fountains appeared as a reflection of papal generosity. The piece considered to be berninis crowning achievement is the four rivers fountain located in piazza navona, which was created for pope innocent x 164455. For a memorable look at the fountain, join a sunset or night tour when the fountain is illuminated. Things to do near fountain of the four rivers, rome. A focal point of riverscape metropark is the five rivers fountain of lights, a series of five fountains that shoot water about 200 feet high and 400 feet across at the confluence of the great miami and mad rivers. If you like alabama history, especially the history of the rivers, this book focuses on how the rivers of alabama played a critical role leading up to alabama becoming a state and beyond. Photograph of a marble figure on the fountain of the four rivers in piazza navona in rome, italy. Four rivers had its beginnings in separate, county programs developed in the 60s by parents in greene, sullivan, daviess and martin counties to meet the educational needs of. The fountain of the four rivers in piazza navona, rome. It was commissioned by pope innocent x and located in the piazza navona in rome.
Fountain of the four rivers, by bernini, is gorgeous and in the middle of piazza navona. The fountain of the four rivers by bernini in rome. This fountain is in the centre of the piazza navone. The centerpiece of romes beautiful navona square is the fontana dei quattro fiumi fountain of the four rivers, one of the most famous fountains in the eternal city. Fontana dei quattro fiumi is a fountain in the piazza navona in rome, italy. The fountain of the four rivers is also known as the fontana dei quattro fiumi and is located in the piazza navona in rome. The fountain of the four rivers fontana dei quattro fiumi by gian lorenzo bernini inaugurated in 1651. With our price match guarantee and 247 social support, youll always travel with peace of mind. Romans threw coins into fountains and water in general for the gods in hopes of good fortune and a safe. These fountains have been part of the city skyline, and hundreds of photos of downtown dayton, since 2001, when the park opened. In researching the piazza navona and four rivers fountain, i was especially interested in both the sheer skill of bernini and also the amount of symbolism that was worked into the fountain. As weve seen with berninis previous work, baroque sculpture is really all about pushing the. At its center of the piazza is yet another bernini masterpiece from 1651, the fountain of four rivers.
The figure is visible in the foreground with a building in the background. It was constructed between 1647 and 1651 on request of pope innocent x. This sculpture is one of many that transformed rome into the city we know today. The main attraction of piazza navona is the trio of fountains that adorn the square. The piazza was practically overshadowed by the santagnese in agone, but everyones attention was focused on the fontana dei quattro fiumi aka the four rivers fountain. Bernini fontana dei quattro fiumi or fountain of 4 rivers. Book this segway tour of rome and glide around the citys hub of historical monuments, visiting places like the pantheon, trevi fountain, spanish steps and more. Designed in 1651 for pope innocent x, it represents four major rivers of four continents which papal authority had spread. Statues of the fountain symbolize four major rivers of that time. Triton is a mythical greek god, who is considered as a messenger of the sea. Originally designed by bernini in the 1650s, it featured another obelisk supported by four gigantic statues. The fountain of the four rivers, by lorenzo bernini, is one of the most famous sculptures found in the city of rome.
Collectively, they represent four major rivers of the four continents through which papal authority had. Fountain of the four rivers piazza navona navona square. The central one is the fontana dei quattro fiumi fountain of the four rivers, a masterpiece realised by gian lorenzo bernini between 1648. Bernini is one of the most famous sculptors in history. Visit the fountain of the four rivers classic rome tour. Created by bernini in the 1650s, the fountain portrays four rivers the. The fountain of the four rivers guides diary eyes of rome. Wash your hands in each one and marvel that ancient aqueducts supplied. The fountain of the four rivers in rome italian ways. Fountain of the moor was renovated again in 1874, when the original statues were moved to the borghese gallery and replaced with the copies that we can see nowadays in the piazza navona.
The fountain was an important source of potable water for the locals before the days of indoor plumbing, but even more importantly it was a grandiose monument to the power and glory of the pope and his family. Fortunately, however, the fountain that stands today is indeed berninis work. The fountain of the four rivers in romes piazza navona 164851 supports an ancient egyptian obelisk over a hollowedout rock, surmounted by four marble figures symbolizing four major rivers of the world. The four rivers fountain is a spectacular example of baroque sculpture as well as an example of how the arts can be used as a tool for propaganda.
The portal to texas history a gateway to rare, historical, and primary source materials from or about texas. The 10 best fountain of the four rivers fontana delle. When i walked up to the fountain for the first time, i was struck with awe and admiration. Find the best things to do near fountain of the four rivers, rome for you. Romes love affair with fountains goes back to antiquity, whilst the city today can boast a collection of public fountains that has no parallel to any other city in the world.
This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title four rivers. The sculpture of the fountain of the four rivers or even. In order to celebrate the jubilee of the year 1650 and to celebrate the papal family, pope innocent x pamphjli decided to adorn the wonderful piazza. Preimesberger showed in his magisterial, book length. History tells two stories of how bernini accomplished winning the commission for the four rivers fountain.
It was built in the mid 17th century after a design by bernini. The fountain of the four rivers by the italian artist gian lorenzo bernini is one of the most spectacular fountains in the world. Fountain of the four rivers the fountain of the four rivers is a monumental example of italian baroque style and eloquence. Pope innocent x preferred to collaborate with francesco borromini, while bernini received support. The entire fountain was built in only three years, starting in 1648 and ending in 1651. Fontana dei quattro fiumi fountain of the four rivers is a fountain in the piazza navona in rome, italy. It was designed in 1651 by gian lorenzo bernini for pope innocent x whose family palace, the palazzo pamphili, faced onto the piazza as did the church of santagnese in agone of which innocent was the sponsor. History in order to celebrate the jubilee of the year 1650 and to celebrate the papal family, pope innocent x pamphjli decided to adorn the wonderful piazza navona, which sits on the footprint of the first century ad. The centerpiece of piazza navona, the fountain of the four rivers has been in place since the 17th century.
The trevi is the largest baroque fountain in the city, and in 2016 alone, had 1. Buy new, sculpture of lion in solid silver berninis lion from the fountain of the four rivers italy gian lorenzo bernini statue replica. The obelisk, made of aswan granite, has an interesting history. Fontana dei quattro fiumi rome 2020 all you need to. Its name the four rivers, comes from the four large male allegorical figures on the corners, who are river gods.
So naturally, there have been a couple of great river books over the. Agnes in agony, built on the project of borromini and has been designed and molded by the sculptor and architect gian lorenzo bernini between july 1648 and june 1651 commissioned by pope innocent x, in the middle of. This fountain is one of his most spectacular works. The fountain of the four rivers is a breathtaking sculptural fountain in piazza. The idea is that these rivers represent the four corners of the known world at the time. The stars of the ovalshaped piazza are three lavish baroque fountains. Fountain of the four rivers, rome a view on cities. Book your fountain of the four rivers tickets online and skiptheline. Save time and money with our best price guarantee make the most of your visit to rome. The fountain is composed of a big rustic rock in the middle, topped by a granite obelisk. Apr 26, 2016 the sculpture of the fountain of the four rivers or even fountain of the rivers is located in rome at the center of piazza navona in front of the church of st. Thus the fountain of the four rivers stands at the center of the square, opposite the church, as if to point out the buildings presence and to highlight the devotion it symbolizes the church commemorates the martyrdom of saint agnes, in whose memory the ecclesiastical vestments called palliums are made to this day. Fountain of the four rivers fontana delle quattro fiumi. Four major rivers project, multipurpose green growth project in south korea.
Of course, now this is also known as where one of the cardinals was killed in angels and demons. The central fountain, fountain of the rivers or fontana dei fiumi, represents water on the path of the illumination in the story. There are many fountains that can be found throughout italy. Statues free delivery possible on eligible purchases. Rivers lend themselves to stories, and stories lend themselves to books. The four rivers are the ganges, danube, della plata, and the nile, and are personified on the different sides. Need a great deal on a hotel near fountain of the four rivers fontana dei quattro fiumi, rome. It is one of the most beautiful and famous fountains in rome. In the center of piazza navona you can see the beautiful, famous and massive fountain of the four rivers which was built in 1651 by the prominent architect bernini.
1134 1373 60 500 1044 1165 288 513 1319 245 1388 1550 358 99 254 491 1068 1330 54 1245 1563 933 1126 1032 69 1480 1243 1411 308 340