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The fountains of Piazza NavonaAt Piazza Navona there are three gorgeous fountains. The central one, Fontana Dei Fiumi (Fountain of Rivers), is said to have the most complex ornaments of all the fountains in Rome. Its sculptor Bernini designed it in the early 1650s and its project was so expensive that a decision was taken for raising the bread tax in order to cover its high costs. The fountain is beautifully decorated and represents four rivers - the Danube, the Nile, the Ganges and the Rio de la Plata, each distinctive with its typical flora and fauna. At the southern end of Piazza Navona, you can find Fontana del Moro (Fountain of the Moor). It was a deed of Giacomo della Porto, constructed in 1575. Its impressive statues of four Tritons capture the attention immediately; another specific feature is that the basin is made of rare antique rose marble. Bernini has left his sign also at this fountain - in 1654 he made the carvings of the central figure, an athletic Triton riding a dolphin. The figure resembles a “Moor” and that is why the fountain was given the name “Fountain of the Moor”. There were changes made to the fountain - during a restoration in 19th century, the original sculptures were taken to the Villa Borghese, substituted by copies that still stand on the fountain. By Diana at 7 Aug 2006 - 5:51pm | Places in Rome | Diana's blog | login or register to post comments |
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