Fountain of the Four Rivers

Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi)

The Fountain of the Four Rivers is one of the most beautiful fountains in Rome with a moving water landscape. It is located in the piazza Navona. The great architect Bernini created the fountain by order of Pope Innocent X, the construction of the fountain was timed to coincide with the Holy Year – 1650.

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From the large bowl of the fountain, rocks seem to grow out of the fountain and hold an obelisk. At the four corners are male figures personifying the four great rivers of the world – the Nile, Ganges, Danube and La Plata – and representing the four parts of the world known at the time: Africa, Asia, Europe and America. The Fountain of the Four Rivers is fed by water from the ancient aqueduct of Aqua Virgo.