Rome’s love affair with fountains.

Rome boasts a collection of fountains like no other city in the world. Fountains played a very important role in the lives of Romans over the years. They were seen as a reflection of the generosity of the Papal families.

Fountains provide entertainment and a supply of water could easily be carried home by the people. Popes exploited this concept and built more fountains to increase their good standing among the people.

Fountain of the Four Rivers.

One of the most beautiful fountains in Rome is the Fountain of the four rivers. The famous artist Lorenzo Bernini sculpted and built the fountain in 1651. Pope Innocenzo X commissioned it. Over the years this fountain still amazes and memorize people from all over the world.

Why called the Fountain of the Four Rivers?

Renaissance geographers recognized four great rivers on the four continents: The Danube (Europe), The Nile (Africa), The Ganges (Asia) and Rio de la Plata (South America). The fountain depicts the gods of the these four rivers. In addition, plants and animals from these countries further enhance the fountain.

In the middle of the fountain is a slender Egyptian style Obelisk. They built the fountain for the Roman Serapeum in AD 81. It symbolizes the Papal power and surmounted by the Pamphilj symbol of the dove.

It is truly a spectacular and majestic fountain. When you enter the Piazza Navona, you can only stop and stare. If you love to take photographs then this beautiful fountain will not disappoint. There are many different angles that you can photograph the fountain from.

Best time to visit this Fountain.

Fountains in Rome are always crowded and this one is no different. There is no best time because the fountain is beautiful during the day and in the evening. Some people prefer the night when restaurants fill up and street performers entertain the crowds.

Don’t sit on the side of the fountain or with your feet in the water unless you want to be chased away by a grumpy policeman. Romans take this quite serious and see it as a sign of disrespect.

Where: Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy.