Rome’s Famous Fountains and Steps …

DSC_0306Our first actual day in Rome! There is so much to see and do here;I think we’ll spend the day touring around and getting our bearings. It’ll help us figure out what we want to spend more time seeing and doing.

One of the first sights we saw when we arrived in Rome is the Pantheon, which is said to be one of the most preserved and influential buildings of ancient Rome. Built in 125 A.D. by Emperor Hadrian, today the Pantheon is used as a church and has some fascinating architectural features and arches.DSC_0281

When in Rome we learned that a popular gathering place is the DSC_0352Piazza Navona. Originally built as a stadium in the first century for athletic contests and chariot races, the Piazza Navona is now lined with luxurious cafes and popular gelato shops. The public square still retains its oval shape and is a lively place where both locals and tourists like tDSC_0335o hang out. Artists gather in the square to paint and sell their works of art, there are different performers entertaining the crowd and vendors are selling souvenirs. We all ended up buying pictures from the local artisans while we were here. The Piazza is also home to three spectacular fountains, including the popular Fountain of Four Rivers.

DSC_0440Speaking of fountains in Rome, likely the most popular one is the Trevi Fountain, built in the 1700s. The central figure of the fountain, Neptune, god of the sea, is seen riding a chariot. The scale of the fDSC_0454ountain and the detail in its workmanship are spectacular. It is a popular spot and tourists everywhere can be seen with their back to the fountain tossing a coin over their left shoulder. In doing so, it is said that you will be sure to return to Rome. We all took our turn tossing our coins in the water!

DSC_0479Another popular gathering place in Rome is the Spanish Steps which, historically, were designed to connect a hilltop church with the square below. The monumental staircase consists of 137 steps over twelve different flights. The steps were crowded with tourists and locals who use it as a gathering place. We managed to find a spot to sit and watch the performers.

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