Rome Virtual Tour - Piazza
della Repubblica
The Piazza Repubblica
was part of the great redevelopment undertaken when
Rome became part of a unified Italy. Under the sweeping
19th Century colonnades there were once elegant shops,
but they have been ousted by banks, travel agencies
and cafes. In the middle of the piazza stands the
Fontana delle Naiadi. Mario Rutelli's four naked bronze
nymphs caused something of a scandal when they were unveiled
in 1901.
Each reclines on an aquatic
creature symbolizing water in various forms: a sea horse
for the oceans, a water snake for rivers, a swan for
lakes, a swan for lakes, and a curious frilled lizard
for subterranean streams. The figure in the middle added
in 1911, is of the sea god Glacus, who represents man
victorious over the hostile forces of nature. In the
immediate vicinity of Piazza Repubblica you have Via
Parigi home to the Italian Tourist Board (practically
hidden and not advertised) plus the famous shopping of
Via Nazionale.
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