Eclectic Fountains of Rome

During the Renaissance, new construction developments and a revitalization of Rome , Italy was funded by the popes of the time - not only to beautify the city with decorative elements and efforts, but also to serve public needs for water, plumbing, transportation, and public meeting spaces. Nothing demonstrates this marriage of beauty and utility like Rome 's eclectic and marvelous fountains. If you're planning a short trip of only a few days, making plans to visit and admire some of Rome 's famous fountains is a great way to take in all of the diverse culture that Rome has to offer

It's also a great way to appreciate ancient technological advancement - Rome's eleven aqueducts provided many thousands of gallons of water everyday, which was a great achievement itself, but the water from these aqueducts was used for a sophisticated plumbing system throughout the city, to bathhouses, toilets, faucets, wells, and later, used for these fountains.

Construction of fountains continued to be prolific through the Baroque era as well. As the zeitgeist shifted to the highly ornamental and opulent aesthetics of Baroque culture, the fountains being built were becoming highly intricate and built in huge proportions, and remain impressive to this day. Visiting these ancient fountains that remain much the same as they were hundreds of years ago is a very profound and reflective way of getting to enjoy all of the beauty of Rome.

Fountains that you should plan to see during your stay include:

• The Trevi Fountain: built over thirty years and completed in 1762, this project by Nicola Salvi is one of Rome 's most famous landmarks. Nicola Salvi designed it to represent the constant flow of nature with its busy movement, and its breathtaking beauty is a great example of the time in which it was built.
• The Fountain of Triton: completed in Travertine around 1642, many consider this fountain to be one of the most beautiful features of the city. It depicts Triton as a muscular and awesome figure, blowing through a conch, above a sea monster that is part man and part fish.
• The Fountain of Books : which you can find in the complex of Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza, which during the time of its construction was the seat of the University of Rome . It's an unusual and clever design decorated by three tomes spilling the "water of knowledge" and also features a deer's head.
• The Nymphaeum of the Villa Guilia: an awe-inspiring courtyard-like garden of fountains and grottoes which represents the attempts to recapture the classic naturalism and splendor of Roman and Greek architecture.

 Taking in the whole of these fountains is a sublimely memorable experience with lots of excellent photo opportunities, in addition to being a pleasant way of getting to experience the historical and beautiful city of Rome . Any number of available guidebooks can lead you through locating these sites and assisting in your transportation options through the city during your stay.