Piazza Navona is located in Rome between Corso del Rinascimento and Via di Santa Maria dell'Anima, or more broadly between Campo de'Fiori and Piazza della Rotanda. The square was created so that the Romans could watch the agones, or games, occurring in the square. The square then became known as 'Circus Agonalis' but evolved to 'in agone' to navone and finally to navona. The area officially became a square in the 15th century when the Campidoglio market was moved to the Piazza Navona.
Although the market now exists in Campo de'Fiori, Piazza Navona still has lots to offer locals and visitors at all times of the day. There is a plethora of restaurants, cafes, churches, and sculptures to dine in or admire.
The center of the Piazza is home to the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. The fountain was designed by Bernini and erected in 1651. "The Fountain of the Four Rivers" supports an Egyptian obelisk and is said to represent the four main rivers in the four continents that Renaissance geographers recognized. This fountain, along with all the other ones in Rome, was extremely important to Romans because it served as a source of water for those in the area and as a monument to the papal pastors.
It is unfortunate that at the moment is either under repair or being cleaned, so there is scaffolding and tarps surrounding it. It is difficult to grasp the true beauty and importance of the fountain while it is mostly covered. I have read that the statue contains the river-god Ganges but I have yet to be able to see him through the construction. I hope to see him before the summer ends!
"Piazza Navona." Wikipedia. 08 May 2008. 22 May 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_navona.
"Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi." Wikipedia. 08 Apr 2008. 22 May 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontana_dei_Quattro_Fiumi.
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