Piazza Navona Landscape

The Piazza Navona has one of the more unique shapes and designs to it of all the Piazza's in Rome. Apparently in the guide book it said that this piazza was once flooded by its fountains every August. Then apparently the dwellers of the streets would paddle after the rich who rode around in this unbelievably massive "pool". Above is one of the more famous domes in all of Rome, the Dome of Sant'Andrea della Valle. If we were to have lived in the times of this great flooding, one might have paddled around and admired this magnificent tower above. The domes windows allow a light from above to tear throughout the church, definitely something I recommend giving a look for yourself.

Santa Maria in Trastevere

The Santa Maria is in Trastevere is a beautiful church located a few blocks off of the road Trastevere. The fountain at Santa Maria in Trastevere was dead to the eye, as there was no water flowing from it at the time. The piazza is wide open and has quite a few stores surrounding it. As you enter the church the doors are smaller than in many of the other churches, almost kind of discreet. In fact, the church really isn't big at all, but it definitely has some fine artwork. The altar which is dwarfed by the papal alter mentioned in previous blogs, is in front of a wall of gold that is topped with a half dome. My favorite part was the curvy stair well that leads up to the seat where the organ is played.

Fountains of Roma

Far West of Trastevere is an incredible fountain, the Fontana Paola. At the top of the building to which the fountain is connected there are dragons, and in front of the fountain is an incredible view of many of Rome's major sights. The water in this fountain is clear as can be and looks fit for a swim. It was surprising to see such an impeccable fountain so far from mainstream Roma. Especially when there are fountains such as the Fontana della Bocca della Verita Fountain. This fountain which is supported by two stone men which hold it overhead. The fountain currently does not have much upkeep, it was dirty and the water looked brown. In a change of pace and toward the Jewish Ghetto, the Fontana delle Tartarughe. Also known as the Turtle Fountain, for the four turtles atop the fountain. These four turtles are being helped in to the fountain by four boys, who are pushing them in to the water.

Fontana dei Quattro Fuimi

Finally, I have settled on a theme for the place I will write about, Piazza Navona. I chose this place because it is a place I often go and I love the three fountains through its center. I am also intrigued to learn about the many buildings surrounding this famous Piazza. The first thing you will probably notice entering the piazza is the Fontana dei Quattro Fuimi, a great fountain in the center of the piazza. Many friends and I have sat in front of this fountain and taken pictures, which is a popular tourist attraction. There are also many salesmen surrounding this fountain, because it is such a tourist hot spot. Rising high above the fountain is an Egyptian obelisk, which is inscripted with heiroglyphics.

References:
http://www.romaonline.net/Contents/Luoghi_Txt/Tour_it/agonale/fontnavona

The Pantheon

Today before my final departure and move from my once beloved apartment I thought it necessary to stop by the Pantheon once more, before I moved to Trastevere. It sits on one end of the Piazza della Rotonda with vast pillars at the entrance. As you pass through the grand door way your eyes are immediately drawn to the gigantic opening at the top of the dome. On a bright sunny day the light that shines through the hole is dazzling and brightens the entire temple. I have heard that visiting the Pantheon while raining is truly breath taking, and plan to see this for myself before leaving Rome.

Giordano Bruno and Free Thought

If you are ever in Campo de Fiori you might notice a statue of Giordano Bruno in the center of the piazza. The importance of this statue is what led me to choose Campo as my theme for a place in Rome. Giordano was burned alive for his beliefs at Campo. According to Rick Steve's many of his beliefs (one such that the world revolved around the sun) went against those of the Catholic church. It later turned out that many of Bruno's theories were proven right, and thus his statue was put in the center of the piazza. As such I have been told that many modern day political riots and protests, especially those dealing with dealing with freedoms and rights, start in the center of Campo. I think that it is incredible that he was given a statue some years later for his free thought, in the very place he died.

1. http://digidownload.libero.it/blaze0606/Giordano.Bruno1.jpg
2. Rick Steve's Rome 2009

Metro Strangers

On the train down to the Amalfi Coast there were a series of homeless who we encountered. One such was a woman who was walking up and down our metro and breastfeeding her child. Generally this is an accepted practice, however this woman also had one free hand and was holding a cup in it, walking up to every single person soliciting for money. This was one of the more disturbing experiences I have had with the beggars of Italy. Throughout my first two weeks in Rome having been exposed to their lifestyle, I now have some compassion for beggars as I often don't in America. When I first arrived I did not want to give money to any of the homeless, however now I will under certain circumstances give money to a beggar. This was not one of those cases because I felt that the feeding in public was a ploy and a play on people's emotions.

Vatican Dome

Today we explored the Vatican and got to see the architecturally perfect design of one of the most famous buildings in the world. Once we had walked through and mass was about to start we decided to head over to the Vatican Museum, which to our dismay was closed because it was a holy day. After overcoming our disappointment we decided we were going to go in to the dome at the top of the Vatican. From this area you can see down to the altar within St. Peter's Basilica. The walk to the dome is full of curves and tight. If you are claustrophobic this walk is not for you, as there are sometimes hundreds of people packed into a tiny stairwell, sweating and treking together. All of the walk proves worth it a top the great church. The view from the top of the Vatican is absolutely breathtaking. You can see so many of the Roman monuments, and with such perfect view. There are green gardens alongside parts of the Vatican which combine incredible skill of artistry and gardening ability.

Pieta

Today we visited that Vatican and I became extremely interested in one piece in particular, the Pieta. It blew my mind that they had to put this behind bulletproof glass so I read about it in Rick Steve's “Rome 2009” and found out that in 1972 a man came at the sculpture with a hammer, leading to the protective glass being put in front of it. Upon further reading on the sculpture itself I also learned that this is Michaelangelo's only piece in which he inscribed his name, which is inscripted on Mary's ribbon. I learned a lot in the reading, Michaelangelo who left much of his work unfinished had this one done by the age of 24. He put extraordinary detail into it, such can be told by the way that Jesus arm hangs low to show his “dead” weight. Also the value and interpretation behind the size of Mary, and both the impossible youth she was sculpted with. It is almost as if she is holding her baby child, and in a way that is what the artist was trying to show. In one book they refer to her as a mother who looks younger than her son.

1. http://crazymindseye.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/pieta4.jpg
2. Rick Steve's Rome 2009

Not at a Church

Earlier this week our class went through a series of churches on a field trip. At the second church we went to, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, there was a beggar who was outside using the importance of this church as a ground for making profit. She brought absolutely nothing to the table, she was not opening doors or handing out information about the church. This is wrong and a disgrace to the grounds of the church. Like many of the other beggars in town she would use her position near the door to ask every single person who came by with a sort of step-in-your way attitude.

San Ignazio

My favorite of the three churches we went to on our field trip was San Ignazio. It was the final church we went to and it is located less than thirty seconds from my apartment. However, I have never been there before because there is an orange caution tape lining the front of the church, and the entrance isn't easily visible. I am glad we went though, because the paintings inside were incredible. Apparently there was not enough money left in the budget when the building was being constructed and the architects were not able to put a dome in like they had wanted. So, it was decided that the painters would paint the ceiling in such a way that it would look like a dome. All of the ceiling looks three dimensional and it was painted incredibly.

1. Rick Steve's Rome 2009

I usually love grapes!

Today I went to the market at Campo de Fiori and got some grapes. There is supposed to be great produce at these markets, so I'm hoping my experience was just one bad one. However, the grapes were horrible, they had no flavor and were squishy. There are a lot of stores there one primarily just for cheese that I plan on checking out soon. I have been told that any stores that specialize in only one thing are going to be great. I believe there is also a stand for meat in Campo de Fiori which I will be checking out soon as well.

Beach Fashion

Today was the first of many beach days. The beach is about an hour ride on the metro, which is completely worth it. There are a lot of different things about the Italian beaches than American ones. Mostly its the fashion trends, many of the men are wearing speedos and extremely tight bathing suits. The women follow suit, what most of them wear would not be legal in the United States. Another strange piece that was disturbing is that the age cut off for girls to wear tops is not exactly distinguished. As far as the sandals and shoes go, I did not notice anyone wearing them. I am pretty sure that most people choose to go barefoot and do not bring sandals with them. I am sure the beach will be an ongoing trend in many of my blogs, it was a great finish to my first weekend in Rome.

Forum: Mamertine Prison

Today I visited the Forum for my second time since arriving in Italy. This is one of the must see places for anyone who visits Rome, as it was at one time the central point of the entire city. Apparently this was the location where politics and judicial life were centralized. This is a huge area that is difficult to catch all in one visit, but it is definitely a worthwhile site. Many of the structures lay in ruins, or have been excavated as the buildings have weathered over the years. One of the most interesting things I explored at the Forum, was the Mamertine Prison that was underneath a church. According to Rick Steve's travel guide of Rome this cell was used to hold the Saints Peter and Paul. If you get a chance this is a worthwhile area to see, along with the Mamertine Prison there are many other parts of the layout that you should try to see.

Look to the left here and you can see a view of the grate atop the prison where Peter was kept.