Rome’s captivating charm extends beyond its iconic ancient ruins, reaching into the heart of the Baroque era. The city, sculpted by the hands of visionary architects and sculptors, boasts an abundance of magnificent fountains, each a testament to the artistic brilliance of the time.
The Triumph of Water: A City Transformed
Baroque architects and sculptors left an indelible mark on Rome, transforming its urban landscape into a masterpiece of art and design. Every cardinal and pope of this era sought to embellish their surroundings with grand avenues, expansive squares, and cascading fountains.
The “trident” of roads radiating from Piazza del Popolo, namely Via del Corso, Via del Babuino, and Via Paolina, are all legacies of the 16th and 17th centuries. This grand scheme finds its starting point in the twin churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto, masterfully crafted by Carlo Rainaldi, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and Carlo Fontana.
Piazza di Spagna: A Cascade of Beauty
Piazza di Spagna, or Spanish Square, stands as a prime example of Baroque grandeur. Its centerpiece, the Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Boat), sculpted by Pietro and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, anchors this iconic space.
The monumental staircase leading up to the Trinità dei Monti church, a masterpiece of Alessandro Specchi and Francesco De Sanctis, adds a dramatic flourish to the square. This 135-step staircase, inaugurated in 1725, connects the Bourbon Spanish embassy to the church at the top of the Pincian Hill, utilizing the natural slope to create a breathtaking visual spectacle.
Fountains of Rome: A Symphony of Water and Stone
Rome’s fountains are a defining feature of the city, their romanticized images imprinted in our collective consciousness through movies and media. These fountains, powered by gravity, derive their water from sources elevated above their locations, creating mesmerizing jets that pierce the air.
Following the fall of Rome, ancient aqueducts continued to supply the city with abundant water, far exceeding its needs. The Baroque architects cleverly exploited this water surplus, transforming Rome into a haven of cascading fountains, a testament to the city’s enduring beauty.
The Fontana di Trevi, a masterpiece of Nicola Salvi and Giuseppe Pannini, represents the culmination of Baroque water artistry. This grand fountain, fed by the Acqua Vergine aqueduct, showcases the elegance of rustic stone, mimicking the natural flow of water through a riverbed.
The fountain’s design, a harmonious blend of classical and natural elements, reflects the desire to bring the allure of nature into the heart of the city. The imposing façade, adorned with columns and sculptures, contrasts dramatically with the cascading waters and enchanting nymphs, creating a captivating interplay of art and nature.
The Fontana di Trevi, the largest and most spectacular of Rome’s fountains, honors the three Popes who oversaw its creation. Their emblems and inscriptions, placed on the attic level, entablature, and central niche, stand as a testament to their patronage.
A Symphony of Water: Piazza Navona’s Theatrical Fountains
Piazza Navona, a stage for Baroque theatricality, features an array of fountains that captivate and amaze. At its heart stands the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), a monumental work by Bernini and his disciples, created in 1648-1651.
This magnificent fountain embodies the Baroque’s love of dramatic contrasts, blending rusticity with architectural grandeur. The base, a giant rock meticulously carved to resemble its natural form, supports four allegorical figures representing the world’s major rivers – the Nile, Danube, Plata River, and Ganges.
Water flows through the veins of this stone, cascading through cracks and crevices, culminating in an ancient Egyptian obelisk, a symbol of power and longevity. The obelisk, topped by a cross bearing the emblem of the Pamphili family, represents Pope Innocent X, whose palace overlooked the piazza.
Piazza Navona’s other two fountains, the Fontana del Nettuno (Neptune Fountain) and the Fontana del Moro (Fountain of the Moor), complete the scene. These fountains, by Giacomo della Porta, further enhance the theatrical ambiance of this extraordinary space.
The Turtle Fountain: A Tale of Grace and Simplicity
In contrast to the dramatic grandeur of Piazza Navona, the Fontana delle Tartarughe (Turtle Fountain) offers a quieter, more intimate experience. This fountain, crafted in the Renaissance-Baroque style, was designed to provide drinking water to the Roman population.
Unlike other fountains built for Popes, the Fontana delle Tartarughe was commissioned by a private patron, Muzio Mattei, a member of the influential Mattei family. This fountain features bronze statues of four ephebes and eight dolphins, their playful forms intertwined with piles of colorful marble.
The original design included four bronze dolphins, but these were removed due to low water pressure. To compensate for this loss and restore balance to the composition, four turtles were added between 1658 and 1659.
Bernini’s Legacy: Fountains and Obelisks
Bernini’s artistic brilliance extends beyond fountains, as evidenced by his graceful monument in front of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. This monument, featuring a small obelisk perched atop a Baroque elephant, is a masterwork of sculpture and symbolism.
The elephant statue, a likely inspiration from the Hypnerotomachia Polyphili, serves as a decorative base for the red granite obelisk. The obelisk, originally erected by Pharaoh Apries in ancient Egypt, was later brought to Rome and discovered in the garden of the Cloister of Santa Maria sopra Minerva.
The inscription on the pedestal, “Let any beholder of the carved images of the wisdom of Egypt on the obelisk carried by the elephant, the strongest of beasts, realize that it takes a robust mind to carry solid wisdom,” reflects the profound symbolism inherent in the monument.
In conclusion, Rome’s fountains and obelisks are not merely decorative elements; they are integral parts of the city’s historical and cultural fabric. Each fountain, each obelisk, tells a story, reflecting the artistic genius, religious fervor, and political aspirations of the Baroque era. These captivating waterworks and grand monuments invite us to journey through time, immersing ourselves in the beauty and power of a city transformed by the artistic vision of a bygone era.
