Photo: Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi at the
Piazza Navona, Rome
Rome.info:
The Fountain of the Four Rivers depicts
Gods of the four great rivers in the four continents as then recognized by the
Renaissance geographers: the Nile in Africa, the Ganges in Asia, the Danube in
Europe and the Río de la Plata in America.
Each location is further enhanced by
animals and plants of that country. The Ganges carries a long oar, representing
the river's navigability. The Nile's head is draped with a loose piece of
cloth, meaning that no one at that time knew exactly where the Nile's source
was. The Danube touches the Papal coat of arms, since it is the largest river
closest to Rome. And the Río de la Plata is sitting on a pile of coins, a
symbol of the riches America might offer to Europe (the word plata means silver
in Spanish).
Each River God is semi-prostrate, in awe of
the central tower, epitomized by the slender Egyptian obelisk (built for the
Roman Serapeum in AD 81), symbolizing Papal power and surmounted by the
Pamphilj symbol of the dove.
ABC News. Bernini's Famous Fountain Gets a
Face-Lift:
The scaffolding came down just in time for
the holidays, and now Gian Lorenzo Bernini's 17th century masterwork -- the
Fountain of the Four Rivers -- has reclaimed its place as the centerpiece of
Rome's famed Piazza Navona.
This imposing fountain has always been a
landmark in one of Rome's most magnificent squares, just two steps from the
Pantheon and the Spanish steps. And in recent years, it has acquired special
intrigue, thanks to author Dan Brown, who set his prequel to "The Da Vinci
Code" in Rome. Robert Langdon's clues in "Angels and Demons"
lead him to Piazza Navona at night and, believe it or not, into the fountain itself
where he proceeds to wrestle a mysterious foe underwater. "Angels and
Demons" tourists can now fully appreciate where Langdon fought for his
life.
Angels and Demons Film Location:
The cardinal is dumped into the fountain:
the Fountain of the Four Rivers, Piazza Navona, Rome.
No comments:
Post a Comment