Fountain of the four rivers

The “Fountain of Four Rivers” is no doubt our favourite monumental fountain in Rome, and it’s not difficult to guess that we are not the only one to love it!

Located in the heart of Rome, in the exact centre of Navona Square, it was commissioned by Pope Innocent X to the famous Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1651. Together with his workshop team, Gian realised a masterpiece of unrivalled beauty!
The base of the fountain constitutes of sculpted pillars, joining together at the summit to support an Egyptian obelisk, and the dove of peace, a symbol of the Pamphili Papal family.

Each pillar represents one of the big rivers of antiquity, one for each continent: Rio de la Plata for the Americas, Danube for Europe, Ganges for Asia and Nile for Africa, and they are recognisable by their distinctive flora and fauna.
There is a funny anecdote connected with the Fountain of theFour Rivers and its creator. Sant’Agnese in Agone, the church standing in front of the fountain, which is still a property of Pamphili family, was completed under the supervision of architect Borromini, the eternal rival of Bernini. Perched on the fountain,, is the statue of Rio de la Plata which has been fashioned in such a way as if the sculpture is trying to protect the church from a possible fall. This is not historically true, even though many Romans still believe it, since the fountain was built even before the church was commissioned to Borromini!