The squares of Rome deserve no less attention than the ancient monuments and magnificent museums of the "Eternal City". Many of them are masterpieces of open-air architecture, creations of great artists and architects of the past. Therefore, choosing an idea for the next post, BlogoItaliano could not pass by such a bright topic. Among the many squares of the capital of Italy, we tried to select 8 that deserve special attention and talk about them in the already traditionally reversed order.
№8 Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere
From 82-meter height of the hill of Yanikul the magnificent panorama of Rome opens. From here a walking trail leads to Piazza Santa Maria in Trasteverelocated in the historical part of the quarter of the same name.
The Romans managed to maintain the appearance of the Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere from the 15th century almost unchanged. In its center is one of the oldest fountains in Rome.
The appearance of the Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere has not changed much since the 15th century.
It is believed that this fountain was laid down by decree of Pope Adrian I in the late 700s. Over the long history, the Fountain has undergone several restorations, and its current appearance is due to the Italian architect of the 16th century Carlo Fontana, who executed it in the form of an octagonal bowl and decorated it with sea shells.
The main attraction Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere is the eponymous Basilica, erected in Rome in honor of the Virgin at the beginning of the III century. Its design is dominated by images of the Virgin Mary and a magnificent mosaic of the XII-XIII centuries. And today the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere is the main temple of worship of the Holy image of the Virgin.
In addition to architectural and historical monuments, the square is famous for its shops and tiny shops selling all kinds of things. And the small cozy cafes located here are ready to serve their guests until late at night.
No. 7 Campo de Fiori
"Field of flowers" is exactly how the name of the Campo de Fiori Square is translated. It is noteworthy that during the day, the Area several times dramatically changes its purpose. From early morning, it turns into a street market, clogged with dense malls, where you can buy everything from fish to flowers.
By one o'clock in the afternoon, the shopping malls “disappear” somewhere, and the café and restaurants open to the baton of street life, open for visits until late at night.
Today, few people know that Campo de Fiori Square was not always as peaceful and serene as it is now. In the Middle Ages, it served as a place for executing the death sentences of heretics imposed by the Holy Inquisition.
In February 1600, it was here, after a long seven-year investigation, that the famous philosopher and poet Giordano Bruno was sentenced to heresy and burned. At the place of execution - in the very center of the Square - in 1889, a famous Italian monument was erected by Ettore Ferrari.
Heretics executed in the Middle Ages on Campo de Fiori Square
The attraction of Campo de Fiori is the white marble Palazzo Cancellaria (Palazzo della Cancelleria). It is known as one of the most magnificent Renaissance Palaces and was built in the 15th century by Cardinal Rafael Riario, who claimed to be the pope.
Later, the cardinal was convicted of a plot against the Medici family, imprisoned in the Castle of the Holy Angel, and the Palace was confiscated and given under the office of Pope Leo X. Since then, the Palace was called the Palazzo Cancellaria.
Over time, the 6th-century church of San Lorenzo in Damaso was added to the Palace Complex, which was rebuilt specifically for this purpose. Now the Palazzo Cancelleria, the church of San Lorenzo in Damaso and its rectangular courtyard, surrounded by a two-tiered arcade, represent a single architectural ensemble.
No. 6 La Bocca della Verita Square
The most unusual attraction of Rome may well be considered La Piazza La Bocca della Verita (Mouth of Truth). It got its name from the sculptural image of a bearded male face with a gaping hole instead of a mouth made on a medallion with a diameter of 1.75 m.
It is believed that the medallion with the face of the pagan god Oceanus in ancient times was part of the fountain. Now an unusual sculpture is harmoniously located on the portico of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, decorating with its presence Piazza La Bocca della Verita.
"The Mouth of Truth" more than once became "participants" in films. The most famous scene was from the movie "Roman Vacations", where Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn starred in the background of the sculpture.
A peculiar application of the sculpture of the pagan god was found in the Middle Ages. According to legend, there was an executioner behind the sculpture, who chopped off the hands of liars, if their guilt was proved. The Mouth of Truth medallion is also one of the most popular Italian souvenirs, and you can buy it in almost any Roman shop selling souvenir products.
Piazza La Bocca della Verita translated - Lips of Truth
La Bocca della Verita is famous for other attractions, including the Temple of Hercules - the oldest temple in Rome. The Janus Triumphal Arch with four gables, built under the emperor Constantine and the ruins of the Bull Forum, near Velabrum, a swamp where, according to legend, Remus and Romulus were found, is no less famous.
№5 Rotunda Square
Rotunda Square - one of the most beautiful squares of Rome, and its main attraction is the Roman Pantheon, the ancient temple of all the gods.
The Pantheon was built in 27 BC in order to worship the ancient gods and perform sacrifices. Today, only a hole in the dome, under which there was a sacrificial altar, reminds of ancient customs. According to legend, during the erection of the roof over the Pantheon, from the inside it was filled with earth mixed with gold coins.
The Pantheon is the main attraction of the Rotunda Square
When the construction work was over, the emperor announced that to everyone who found a coin on the territory of the Temple, it remains as a gift. Very soon, there was no trace left of the land in the Pantheon - everything was cleared by coin detectors.
Decorates Rotunda Square the fountain by Giacomo della Porta in 1575, with coats of arms, masks, dolphins and an Egyptian obelisk from the time of Ramses II in the center. Rotunda Square is also famous for its cafes. One of the most popular is the Tazza D'Oro cafe, known not only for the most delicious coffee in Rome, but also for a variety of coffee-based cocktails.
Continuation of the article The most interesting squares of Rome: TOP-8 according to BlogoItaliano published here.
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