Rome’s lively Piazza Navona features Bernini’s glorious Fountain of Four Rivers, depicting writhing river gods who symbolize each of the four then-known continents: Ganges (Asia), Danube (Europe), Nile (Africa), and Rio de la Plata (the Americas). A center obelisk rises from the midst of the splash.
Our apartment was also a hop-skip-and-jump from Piazza Navona, the City’s happy playground. I read that no hangings, killings, or bad things had historically happened in Piazza Navona with its breathtaking Bernini fountains, surrounded by pleasing architecture and abounding with chattering visitors.
We wandered through the center part of the square filled with artists and their easels, displaying their wares under portable lighting. We stopped to listen, and film, the most amazing guitarist electrifying the audience with his intricate Stevie Ray Vaughn and Santana licks. Eventually our stomachs clamored for attention and we started looking for a trattoria for dinner. Finding an inviting little place in one of the alleys branching off Piazza Navona, we seated ourselves at a table set securely on the cobbles. Looking up at the night sky, we lifted glasses of deep crimson wine and toasted our first night in Italia.
