Piazza Navona

Being in Roma for two weeks now I can say with certainty that I still have not figured out the winding narrow alleys of this city yet. If you are directionally challenged like me then the winding alleys and streets of the Eternal City are not your friends. One day as I was lost and wondering the streets of ancient Roma, I stumbled upon a breathtaking open space. I did not know where I was or what this place was called, but I was captivated by the magnificent fountain in the center of this piazza. Even with the hot sun blazing down on this unshaded piazza there was still a very big crowd, I was clearly not the only one captivated by the beauty of this place.

Piazza Navona

After a few attempts of using my broken Italian to ask around I found out this place was called Piazza Navona. The piazza was originally the Stadio di Domiziano (Stadium of Domitian), the ancient Romans used to come here to watch the agonies (games). A kind hostess by a local cafe told me that in the summer the ancient Romans even used the Piazza as a pool! I wish I could see this massive Piazza filled with water.

My gaze was immediately drawn to the center of the Piazza where the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi ( Fountain of the Four Rivers) with the Egyptian obelisk stood. The four rivers represented the four continents known at the time. The Nile for Africa, the Ganges for Asia, the Danube for Europe and the Plata for the Americas. 

Piazza Navona is a great resting spot for hungry tourists. There are numerous cafes and restaurants surrounding the Piazza. As for me I thoroughly enjoyed my people watching experience here. Some times it's nice to take a break, slow down and soak in your surroundings!