Fountain of the Moro — Attraction in Rome

…Continued from Piazza Navona review:

Which brings me back to Piazza Navona, and the stadium built by Domitian. The idea came to him while spending time at the baths built by Nero near the pantheon, which were surrounded by a large gymnasium and an enormous park. Since a large part of the area had been burned in the previous fires, he decided to beautify it by building the stadium that at the time included a musical Odeon at the short flat end of today’s piazza. He then instituted the Agones Capitolini games, which happened every four years like the Olympiads and ended up transforming the roman calendar. He launched them each year wearing a golden crown and a purple Greek-style toga, and rewarded each winner personally by placing a similar crown on their heads. They came from all corners of the empire, and competed in all sorts of sports but also artistic endeavours like poetry, music, theatre, comedy and historical oratory. Not all romans liked the sport competitions, which they considered vulgar since, like in Greece, they were played on the nude, but competitors dressed up after Domitian died and the stadium remained in use for the next 400 years.

After that the stadium slowly fell into disrepair, its structure looted of building materials or absorbed into the foundations of the palaces that were built under the outside arches. A small church was eventually built where St Agnes had been martyred, the underground chambers became a subterranean red-light district, while the seating area and the inner court remained nearly intact for the next 1000 years, used to host the thrilling jousting tournaments. At this stage the inner structure was still entirely closed, with only one street running along the short flat side of the large central court, used by the pope to move between St. Peter and the oldest public church in Rome, the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. And so it was that in 1485 Pope Innocent VIII opened the stadium by building two access roads and moved Rome’s main market here, which had till then been held in Piazza del Campidoglio. Houses started to be built over the stadium’s seating area, and around 100 years later Pope Gregory XIII commissioned the two fountains at either end of the square, one a relatively simple basin designed to quench the thirst of transport animals, the other a slightly more ornate affair for humans to use and enjoy. 100 years after that pope Innocent X decided it was time for a beautiful monument, and the astounding central fountain was built by Gian...

The Fontana del Moro is a beautiful fountain located in Piazza Navona, one of the most famous squares in Rome, Italy. It is one of three fountains adorning the piazza and complements the square’s Baroque splendor.

Key Features of the Fontana del Moro

Location: • The fountain is situated at the southern end of Piazza Navona, directly opposite the Fontana del Nettuno, with the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi in the center of the square.

Historical Background: • The original design of the fountain dates back to 1575, commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII and created by the sculptor Giacomo della Porta. • The basin and initial decorations were simpler, primarily consisting of a large pool surrounded by sculptural decorations.

Redesign by Bernini: • In 1653, the fountain was enhanced by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the master of Baroque art and architecture. • Bernini added the central figure, known as the “Moro” (Moor or African man), depicted wrestling with a dolphin. The design reflects Bernini’s characteristic dynamic and theatrical style.

Sculptures and Symbolism: • The central figure, the Moor, is surrounded by four tritons (mythological sea deities). • The Moor’s struggle with the dolphin symbolizes the taming of nature, a recurring theme in Baroque fountains. • The sculptures reflect the elaborate and fluid style of the Baroque era, with a focus on movement and emotion.

Restorations and Changes: • The original statues by Bernini were replaced with copies in the 19th century to preserve them from damage. • The originals are kept in the Villa Borghese Museum in Rome.

Significance in Piazza Navona: • The Fontana del Moro, along with the other two fountains in the piazza, plays a vital role in defining the square’s character as a masterpiece of Baroque urban design. • Piazza Navona itself is built on the site of the ancient Stadium of Domitian, and the fountains contribute to its blend of historical and artistic significance.

Modern-Day Appeal:

The Fontana del Moro is a popular attraction for visitors to Piazza Navona, offering a stunning visual experience and a sense of Rome’s artistic and architectural heritage. Its elegant design, combined with the vibrant atmosphere of the piazza, makes it a must-see location in the...

Piazza Navona is a true gem in the heart of Rome, where history, art, and daily life come together in perfect harmony. The fountain in this photo, the Fontana del Moro, dates back to 1575 and was originally designed by the renowned architect Giacomo della Porta during the Renaissance. In 1653, the fountain was beautifully enhanced by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the genius of the Baroque era, who added the central figure of the Moor wrestling a dolphin, surrounded by four tritons.

The piazza itself has a fascinating history, as it was originally built on the site of the ancient Stadium of Domitian in 86 AD. The stadium was used for athletic games, and the piazza still retains its elongated oval shape, echoing its ancient Roman past.

Over the centuries, Piazza Navona evolved into a hub of Baroque art and architecture. In addition to the Fontana del Moro, it is home to the magnificent Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (1651) by Bernini, representing the four major rivers of the world, and the Fontana del Nettuno, completed in the 19th century.

Today, Piazza Navona offers a vibrant atmosphere filled with street performers, cozy cafés, and an undeniable sense of history. Sitting by one of its fountains, you can feel the layers of time that have passed through this square, from Roman spectacles to Baroque grandeur, making it one of Rome’s most captivating and...