Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink!

Well, that's not exactly true. Do you know that Rome is covered in spouts providing fresh, clean drinking water? At first glance when I saw someone drinking from one I was horrified but little did I know that this was completly safe!

(picture taken from http://members.cox.net/mkpl3/italvac/ithumb.html)



One of the things I love about Europe is the amazing decoration of architecture and art. Every direction is something new and most of all, every step you take has been a place of history. The squares in Rome are just incredible, lined with cafes and music it's just a wonderful display of culture. Do yourself a favor and when in Rome, look for the fountains!

Piazza del Popolo (The people's square)- Giuseppe Valadier designed this square somewhere between 1811 and 1822. In the center of the square is an Egyptian Obelisk, the fountain you see below is one of four mini fountains surrounding the obelisk.

Fontana dell' Obelisco

(tripadvisor.com)

Via Staderari between Piazza della Rotonda and Piazza Navona- Fontana dei Libri (fountain of the books) is dedicated to the near by Sapienza University and was constructed in 1927.

Fontana dei Libri

(http://www.romasegreta.it/fontana_dei_libri.html)

Piazza Mattei is home to the Fontana delle Tartarughe (Tortoise Fountain) built by Taddeo Landini and Giacomo della Porta in 1658.

Fontana delle Tartarughe

(http://rometour.org/piazza-mattei-and-fontana-delle-tartarughe-tortoise-fountain.html)

Piazza di Spagna (Spanish square) - home to the Fontana della Barcaccia (the leaking boat) located at the foot of the Spanish steps was designed in 1598.

Fontana della Barcaccia

(http://flaviasflavors.com/home/roma-bella)

 Piazza Barberini is home to the Fontana del Tritone designed in 1642 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The fountain portrays Triton, a merman, standing on a large shell held up by four dolphins and holding a conch to his lips.

 Fontana del Tritone

(http://www.romanhomes.com/your_roman_vacation/quarters/trevi-fountain.htm)

Piazza Navona is probably one fo the most popular squares in Rome and one of the oldest. It dates back to 1 AD and used to host the games that the acient Romans would come to watch or "agones". The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi is my favorite, the fountain of the four rivers. This fountain was created in 1651 by Gianlorenzo Bernini who was commissoned by Pope Innocent X. The Danube (Europe), The Ganges (Asia), The Nile (Africa) and the Rio de la Plata (America - a river between Argentina and Uruguay) are all reprosented by a river God for the four continents known at that time. The Ganges (a river in India) is shown to have an oar to show how easy they could access it, the river God also is shown to be near a serpent and palm tree. The Nile has a lion and a covered head, to show the mystery and undiscovered nature of Africa. A boar and a Papal coats of arms depicts the Danube because it is close to Rome, and the Pope. At the time, America was still a place considered to be a new begging and filled with riches so this side of the fountain is covered in coins, which stands to show what America would mean to Europe.

Fontana Dei Quattro

(http://honorsaharchive.blogspot.com/2008/08/piazza-navona-and-fountain-of-four.html)

And to the most famous fountain in Rome: The Fontana di trevi (Trevi fountain) which is the largest Baroque fountain in the city. The legend says that by throwing a coin into the fountain, you will return to Rome. Oceanus, the God of water, is seated at the top with tritons, horses, and vases of water surrounding the whole fountain. This fountain was finally completed in 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini after numerous artists started this project.

Fontana di Trevi

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nikon_(171).JPG)

Of course there are many, many more to see in Rome that I would reccomend during a stroll and a bite of crossant. Here are a few more:

Fontana di Nettuno

Fontana di Piazza Farnese  

Fontana del Mosè