Day 4, Trevi Fountain, Piazzas, Castel Sant' Angelo, Rome

In Search of the Trevi Fountain

One of the tours that I reserved was not canceled and this was a hop–on hop–off bus to the major sights of Rome. A small bus picked me up at my hotel and then I was transferred to a larger bus at the tour office (Green Line). I got off at the first stop––for the Trevi Fountain, Piazza di Spanga, and the Pantheon. I saw one sign directing me to the Trevi Fountain and that was all. I found the Green Line map that I was given to be hopeless and both my Rome map and the map of my tour book was about the same. But I did find the Trevi Fountain walking along narrow streets like this. I was lucky––this one had a sidewalk.

In Search of the Trevi Fountain

Farther Along

I passed a farmer’s market––I remembered going this way the first night on my night tour of Rome. That is the presidental palace on the right––the home of the President of Italy. Very odd to see a farmer’s market in front of it.

Farther Along

Restaurant Sign

A restaurant’s offerings seen on the way to the Trevi Fountain.

Restaurant Sign

Farther Along

Note the people walking in the street. When a car or a motorscooter wants to pass, you have to move out of the way––sometimes very quickly. It was like this all over Italy.

Farther Along

Trevi Fountain

I had already been here on my first night in Rome but I needed to pass it again to get to the Piazza di Spanga, where I hadn’t been. Anyway, I enjoyed seeing it in the daylight and much less crowded.

Trevi Fountain

Another view of the fountain. Remember Anita Eckberg in Three Coins in a Fountain swimming in the fountain (I hope I have this right––I saw the movie about 45 years ago).

Trevi Fountain

A close–up view of the fountain. The Trevi Fountain was completed in 1762. Neptune is in the middle of the fountain with two Tritons on either side. One of the Tritons is struggling with a fierce sea–horse and the other is dealing with a tamer animal––this symbolizes the contrasting moods of the sea. I didn’t throw any more coins in the fountain as I had already done that on my first time here.

Trevi Fountain

Chestnut Seller

The man selling chestnuts, who I took a photo of on my first night in Rome and which I put on my site, is here again, but this time he didn’t have any chestnuts roasting.

Chestnut Seller

Still Onward

I saw this building on my way to the Piazza di Spanga. I don’t know what it is but whenever you walk in Rome you are going to come across interesting buildings.

Still Onward

Getting Closer

I walked along another narrow street (photo) and finally came to a more major street and asked a doorman of a hotel for directions. He waved his arm in an “over there” motion. I found out that if you ask directions from Italians you are going to get the “over there” arm pointing somewhere “over there.” You are lucky, however, if they point their “over there” arm in the right direction. You are really on your own to figure out how to get somewhere (the exception was the Italian gentleman who drew me a map last night). But luck was with me and I saw a German tour group passing by and figured that they knew where they were going and I tagged along behind them.

Getting Closer

I’ve Arrived

I have made it to the Piazza di Spanga. I recognized this column from a photo in my tour book. It is called the Colonna dell’Immacolata––it is a Roman column, but it is topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary.

I’ve Arrived

Piazza di Spagna

View of the Piazza di Spagna. I think that this was the most beautiful piazza (square) that I saw in Rome though other piazzas are thought by the guide books as more beautiful. Note the palm trees.

Piazza di Spagna

Another view of the Piazza di Spagna.

Piazza di Spagna

Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps are located at the Piazza di Spanga. They were built in the 17th century. At the top of the steps is the Trinita dei Monti church. The church dates back to the 15th century. It was under renovation when daughter Britt and her boyfriend Chris were here a year ago and it was still under renovation on my trip here.

Spanish Steps

Another view of the Spanish Steps showing the fountain in front. I did not get a good photo of the fountain. It is called the Fontana della Barcaccia and was designed by Bernini (Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 1598–1680) who transformed Rome with Baroque churches, palaces, statues, and fountains.

Spanish Steps

Palazzo di Propaganda Fide

This facade, located just off the Piazza di Spagna, was one of the last works of Francesco Borromini (1599–1667), who along with Bernini also helped transform Rome into the Baroque style.

Palazzo di Propaganda Fide

Via Condotti

Facing the Spanish Steps and right off the Piazza di Spagna is Rome’s high–fashion district, along the Via Condotti and several other narrow parallel streets to it and several narrow cross streets. Here you see all the designer stores (Gucci, Versace, etc., etc.) and also many very well–dressed Italian women and men (understated elegance seems to be this year’s style).

Via Condotti

Looking Back at the Spanish Steps

View of the Spanish Steps from Via Condotti.

Looking Back at the Spanish Steps

Via Della Vite

Another of the streets in the area.

Via Della Vite

Via del Corso

I found the main street that intersected the Via Condotti and went off the find the Pantheon. I couldn’t remember if a visit there was scheduled with my changed tours or not, but I did want to make sure that I visited it.

Via del Corso

Santi Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso

On my way, I passed the Basilica Santi Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso and I went inside.

Santi Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso

Inside the basilica. This church dates back to 1417 but was rebuilt in 1610 and is dedicated to two canonized bishops of Milan. It is quite beautiful.

Santi Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso

Another view inside the basicila.

Santi Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso

Another view inside the basicila.

Santi Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso

Piazza de Popolo

After leaving the church, I started to realize that I was walking in the wrong direction, away from the Pantheon, not toward it. I was almost at the Piazza de Popolo (the People’s Square), so I decided to continue on in the same direction. I was glad that I did as I hadn’t planned on visiting the Piazza de Popolo and it was certainly worth a visit. View of the Piazza de Popolo. An Eygptian obelisk, over 3000 years old, is in the center of the piazza.

Piazza de Popolo

The twin churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria di Montesanto at the Piazza de Popolo. I don’t know what century they are from. Note the orange awning on the left of the photo. This is where I had lunch––a delicious ham and cheese sandwich, free potato chips, and a Coke Light.

Piazza de Popolo

Some of the statues lining the piazza. I don’t know on top of what building or overpass the people are standing on.

Piazza de Popolo

One of the twin churches and the obelisk through the arch of the Porta del Popolo, a 16th century gate, on one side of the Piazza di Popolo.

Piazza de Popolo

Santa Maria del Popolo

Another church in the Piazza del Popolo. This church is considered to be one of Rome’s greatest artistic treasures and dates back to the 15th century. (Note the crosswalk in the photo. Looks safe doesn’t it––unless you lag a bit behind the group of people you are crossing it with, as I did. This was the spot where, for the second time in Rome, I almost got hit by a car. Or maybe the car started toward me just to hurry me up?)