Page 168 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

166  ROME AREA B Y AREA

i Piazza della
Repubblica
Map 5 C3. @ 36, 60, 61, 62, 64, 90,
170, 492, 646, 910. q Repubblica.
Romans often refer to the
piazza by its old name, Piazza
Esedra, so called because it
follows the shape of an exedra
(a semicircular recess) that was
part of the Baths of Diocletian. Piazza della Repubblica and the Fontana delle Naiadi
The piazza was included in the
great redevelopment under- the sea god Glaucus, who The main entrance looks like
taken when Rome became represents man victorious over a triumphal arch.
capital of a unified Italy. Under the hostile forces of nature. The restored palazzo is still
its sweeping 19th-century used to house high-profile
colonnades there were once o Palazzo delle exhibitions of contemporary
elegant stores, but they have art. The exhibitions are changed
been ousted by banks, travel Esposizioni every three to six months and
agencies, and cafés. Via Nazionale 194. Map 5 B4. Tel 06- include a variety of sculpture
In the middle of the piazza 3996 7500. @ 40, 60, 64, 70, 116T, and paintings. Live perfor-
stands the Fontana delle 170. Open 10am–8pm Tue–Thu, mances, movies, and lectures
Naiadi. Mario Rutelli’s four 10am–10:30pm Fri & Sat, 10am–8pm also take place here (see p352).
naked bronze nymphs caused Sun. & ^ 7 from Via Piacenza or Foreign movies are usually
something of a scandal when Via Milano 13 entrance. 0 - = shown in the original language.
they were unveiled in 1901. ∑ palazzoesposizioni.it
Each reclines on an p Santa Maria
aquatic creature This grandiose
symbolizing building, with dei Monti
water in its wide steps, Via Madonna dei Monti 41.
various forms: a Corinthian Map 5 B4. Tel 06-485 531. @ 75, 117.
sea horse for the columns, and q Cavour. Open 7am–noon & 4:30–
oceans, a water statues, was 7:30pm daily. 5 7
snake for rivers, designed as
a swan for lakes, Facade of the Palazzo delle Esposizioni an exhibition Designed by Giacomo della Porta,
and a curious center by the this church, dating from 1580,
frilled lizard for subterranean architect Pio Piacentini and built has a particularly magnificent
streams. The figure in the by the city of Rome in 1882 dome. Over the high altar is a
middle, added in 1911, is of during the reign of Umberto I. stunning medieval painting of
the Madonna dei Monti,
patroness of this quarter
of Rome. The altar in the
left transept houses the
tomb and effigy of the
unworldly French saint
Benoît-Joseph Labre,
who died here in 1783,
having spent his life
as a solitary pilgrim.
He slept rough in the
ruins of the Colosseum,
gave away any
charitable gifts he
received, and came
regularly to worship.
His faith could not
sustain his body: still
in his mid-thirties, he
collapsed and died
outside the church.
The foul rags he wore
are preserved.
One of the bronze nymphs of the fountain in Piazza della Repubblica

US_166-167_EW_Rome_US.indd 166 15/03/17 4:20 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.9)
Date 20th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm