As soon as I read about the Piazza Navona fountains in Rome, I knew they would be at the top of our Rome Walking Itinerary. With the Trevi Fountain closed for repairs during our 10 weeks in Europe, you can imagine the excitement of discovering Navona Square was home to not one, but three famous fountains.
If you have not been to Rome before we suggest you prepare a Rome Itinerary.
When to Visit Piazza Navona Rome
The balmy weather and fewer crowds of Early Spring make it the perfect time to visit Piazza Navona fountains and explore Rome on foot generally. We have been to Rome several times, the last two visits being in Spring. If Spring doesn’t work for you read more about the best time to visit Rome.
Stay in Trastevere and walk to Piazza Navona Fountains
It was no accident that our Airbnb room was in the atmospheric neighbourhood of Trastevere. Trastevere is a fantastic place to stay in the eternal city, especially when exploring Rome on foot.
Trastevere means “Beyond the Tiber” and is situated on the west bank of the river in the 13th rione of Rome. Trastevere is south of the home of the Pope at Vatican City.
This is a great starting point for a walk to the three fountains in Piazza Navona square.
Walk via Campo di Fiori to Piazza Navona
Five minutes after devouring a cup of fruit at Campo di Fiori, we were arriving at the southern entrance to Piazza Navona.
Piazza Navona History
You wouldn’t imagine, without prior knowledge, that Piazza Navona is built above the Stadium of Domitian (80 AD) in the 15th Century.
Modern day Piazza Navona sits neatly over the stadium’s interior arena, an area larger than that of the Coliseum’s (arena), while the original arcades sit beneath the buildings that line the square today.
The Three Fountains of Piazza Navona Rome
The Fountain of the Moor at the Southern End of Piazza Navona
Giacomo della Porta 1575 Dolphin and Four Tritons.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini 1653 Statue of the Moor.
The Fountain acquired it’s name when 18th Century locals decided the face of the muscle-bound fish-grappling Triton in the centre of the fountain had Moorish features.
Back in 1575 the fountain’s statues were of a Dolphin and four lesser Tritons, with Bernini’s imposing central Triton being added in 1653.
In 1874 the original statues were placed in the Galleria Borghese, meaning the copies on display today are a whopping 142 years old!
Notice the beautiful rose coloured marble basin.
Strolling northward the Piazza reveals an array of Al Fresco dining options on the right.
Fountain of the Four Rivers Piazza Navona
Gian Lorenzo Bernini 1651.
This is probably the most beloved of Bernini’s fountains in Rome.
The Fountain of the Four Rivers, or Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, resides outside the Sant’Agnese Church, mid way in the Piazza. The fountain’s statues are of the four river gods from the continents of Papal authority. Namely the Nile in Africa, the Danube in Europe, the Ganges in Asia and the Río de la Plata from the Americas. This could explain that puzzling palm tree.
The River God Ganges on the left, holds an oar to represent the navigability of his river, while on the right, the Nile God’s head is covered with material alluding to the fact that the source of the Nile back then was unknown or hidden.
Opened in 1651, the fountain is distinguished by an Obelisk rising between the statues of the four gods. Rome has eight original Egyptian Obelisks and five built to order for the city. This particular one (16m or 54ft tall) was built to order for another project in AD81 and was seconded here in 1651. All the Obelisks, original or commissioned, were freighted down the Nile and across the Mediterranean in special Obelisk Ships. I would like to have seen that.
Built from the public purse during the drought of 1646-48, Romans of the day were not pleased with this latest extravagance. In the tradition of Pasquino, hand written papers were attached to the fountain proclaiming:
“We do not want Obelisks and Fountains, It is bread that we want. Bread, Bread, Bread!”
Fountain of Neptune Rome the most northern of Piazza Navona Fountains
Giacomo della Porta 1574.
Antonia della Bitta 1878.
Gregoria Zappala 1873.
Like the Fountain of the Moors at the southern end of the Piazza, Neptune’s fountain was designed by Giacomo della Porta (1574). The basin was finished in 1576 but it wasn’t for another 300 years that the fountain acquired statues to balance the look of the Piazza.
Antonia della Bitta added the Neptune Fighting Octopus statue in 1878.
With public drinking and washing no longer a requirement, Rome as Capital of the newly formed state of Italy, was interested in a more decorative style. The piazza now had three impressive fountains worthy of the Capital.
The statues depict Neptune fighting an octopus with an audience of sea nymphs, cupids and walruses.
Water for the Three Fountains in Piazza Navona
The three fountains of Piazza Navona, together with the Trevi Fountain, were once solely fed from the Aqueduct of the Virgin, but modern day Rome recycles water and sometimes mixes water from the different aqueducts to ensure a continual water supply.
Piazza Navona Rome Sant’Agnese in Agone
The church, shown behind the fountain and Obelisk in the photo below, was constructed in 1652 on the site where St. Agnes was martyred in the then Stadium of Domitian.
Where to drink and eat in Piazza Navona Rome
Vivi Bistrot.
Vivi Bistrot at the entrance of Palazzo Braschi in the south-west corner of Palazzo Navona has excellent affordable coffee and a convenient restroom.
It’s entrance can be seen beneath the red sign in the Fountain of the Moor photo above.
Budget Travel Talk
Piazza Navona is a budget travel attraction in Rome.
Free to Enter.
Three major fountains within one piazza.
Add a link to your travel post at the link up below. I am co-hosting Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday with Ruth from Tanama Tales and Rachel from Rachel’s Ruminations.
Coolum a Beautiful Australian Beach
Hi Jan! I don’t think I visited Piazza Navona when I was in Rome back in the 90s. I love the architecture, and when I get back to Rome I will definitely have this on my list. Vivi Bistrot looks like my kind of place. Thanks for hosting this week! Now back to grading hell…:) #TPThursday
Vivi Bistrot was in an excellent position Nancie and the coffee was spot on too. You will definitely have to return to Rome, I enjoyed it more the second time we visited.
If I remember correctly, I visited Piazza Navona at night. So, that means I didn’t have a lot of light to admire the fountains. However, I do remember the guide talking about the age of the fountains and statues. I remember it was one of those “Only in Rome” moments. A fountain opened in 1651? What?
Oh it would have been lovely walking through the Piazza at night. 🙂
It reminds me of “three coins in a fountain”! I would love to visit here and chuck a coin in for good luck if that is allowed? I’d also love to sit at one of those sidewalk cafes for a cappuccino or vino! What a beautiful place.
It is my favourite Piazza in Rome I think, but I may revise that at some stage lol.
It’s so strange that a mere half hour before I read this, I was reminiscing about my own visit to Piazza Navona in June 2015. Your pictures and explanations helped amp up that memory. I remember eating gelato as we enjoyed the fountains. On our way out, the “floating man” busker threw a large over himself, presumably to dismantle his apparatus while keeping the trick a secret. We stayed for a bit, hoping to see him emerge, but left after a few minutes of watching.
That is odd that you were busy reminiscing about Piazza Navona too. I remember you posting about eating Gelato in Rome but I don’t think it was in the Piazza. Happy reminiscing.
Wow! Your shots are so clear and beautiful!
Italy has been on my bucket list for so long and of course, this great post makes the fact that I can’t go right this second even harder…lol!
Thanks for the great work! I’ll keep this in mind when I finally make it there one of these days. 😀
I will keep Piazza Navona in mind next time I’m in Rome. I love the expressions on the faces of animals, gods and people on fountains like that!
I also do Rachel. The face and head of the Moor is sculpted in a “turned” form to make you want to walk around the fountain.
Last time I had only one day in Rome passing by with a cruise ship. Not enough to discover. I like your pictures of the fountains. The faces seem to be alive 😉
Yes you can fill a week in Rome no worries, still one day is better than none!
What fascinating history, Jan. I would love to see one of those obelisk ships too! The people of the day were clearly more practical in their demand for bread.
Bread wins every day over statues in fountains. 🙂
They certainly know how to do a fountain. It was the main thing that struck me when I went to Europe that they had so many historical statues and buildings whereas we just knock them down here. There’s such a sense of national pride. I suppose Australia is only 250 years old (after European settlement) but it would be nice if we maintained more of our old buildings and structures.
Yes we’re a bit behind the 8 ball only being 250 years old and are a little too laid back about looking after our old buildings it is true. I am always amazed that buildings in Europe are so old and still around.
so beautiful! I heard great stories about Rome, now with the construction done, we have more reasons to visit it!!
Rome will always be there waiting for you. What Construction are you talking about?
Ah Rome. We didn’t get to Rome on our whistlestop tour of Europe in 2014, but I do want to go, but when it’s not too crowded – when do you suggest best time is? I love that you were on a quest and fountains was a good one – and interesting for photography. Loved your photos – have scheduled a Pin as always.
I suggest early May Jo. It is delightful walking around Rome at that time of year. Late June was beginning to get too hot and crowded for my liking.
Beautiful, we were just there last weekend. You’re right, it’s just fantastic and the church interior also quite incredible. Somehow we had a different idea of Rome but we walked around for 2 days and there is so much incredible art and architecture to see, we were amazed.
Frank (bbqboy)
We were revisiting after 40 years Frank and enjoyed it so much. We couldn’t remember liking it so much the first time around.
There is a lot going on in those fantastic fountains. You are definitely having a Roman Holiday. Great pics!
I love the faces of the statues Sharon.
This is one of my favorite places in Rome. I love the architecture, history and all the activity. Glad you enjoyed it too. I learned some great new information from you too. We went inside Sant’Agnese in Agone church and it’s a beauty too.
We went into the church several times as well Mary. On our second visit the weather was quite hot and I loved to slip my walking sandals off and rest them on the cool marble floors of this and other Rome churches! It is beautiful.