A river god looks out from theFontana dei Quattro Fiumi. A Bernini masterpiece from 1651, the ‘Fountain of the Four Rivers’ stands in the heart of Piazza Navonna and includes a large obelisk at its centre. It was commissioned for Pope Innocent X whose palace faced onto the piazza and the four river gods represent the four continents where his papal authority had spread – the Nile for Africa, the Danube for Europe, the Ganges for Asia (pictured) and the Rio de la Plata for America. 

Piazza Navonna is always lively but it is excellent at night where it comes alive with painters, musicians and street performers. Even if sometimes a little cheesy with the accordions squeaking out ‘That’s amore’ it’s still a great area to hang out amongst the fountains and sculptures that so typify Rome. Plus the shape of the Piazza follows the 1st century AD Stadium of Domitian which is pretty cool in itself! deused1 \lsdloc