Piazza Navona: The Beautiful & Bizarre














































































My favourite place in Rome.. Where the bizarre is beautiful and the beautiful is bizarre!! And the first place I visited when arriving.. After 16 years I was hoping I had not romanticized the memory, but sure enough Piazza Navona was still as beautiful and crazy as I remembered it.. One had to look past the annoying hawkers who seem to have multiplied exponentially since last time I was there, but underneath the layer of tourists and hawkers.. there she still was with all her beauty... My favourite statues still frozen in some awkward stance as if caught in the act of running amok.. 

I tried to get back each day when possible.. usually my last stop before dinner and returning to my hotel.. On this particular day it had been 39c.. and everyone was melting and exhausted .. Even the statues seemed to have had enough of the relentless heat and were inviting all to join them in their cool aqua waters. It was tempting!! I nearly jumped in!







Thanks For Indulging The Wacky

In The last Post




IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:
ALL Text, Original Photography & Artwork [copyright beingRuby©]
Shots taken at Piazza Navona, Rome, August 2011





18 comments:

rjerdee said...

Nice buns in the first picture! Yes, I walked Piazza Navona once...the High Renaissance bred soooo much sculpture, such awesome work. Thanks for the wonderful little glimpses of an old memory :)
You're a jewel!

Ann said...

Not wacky in the least. Beautiful.
But his beard needs a trim!

michelle said...

Just beautiful! I have heard so many things about Piazza Navona but have never seen with my own eyes. I hope to one day. They just amaze me at how real they look. Gorgeous.
xoxo

Blondie's Journal said...

How nice that you had the chance to revisit! I can see from your pictures why you are drawn here!

XO,
Jane

mermaid gallery said...

now that's a hard ass!...the snake is so sexual! Ripping the shirt off works for me.......these guys must have been in high demand!...no wonder they carved monuments!..... by the way....were they letting it all hang out? Even the horse got excited.....

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

I can't wait to see what you post, Julie! Always something amazing and this is no exception.
Well at least the birds are pretty too. Tourists- tough to deal with. I spend a lot of time at the beach and the tourists think they are invisible. Earth to tourists - you are not! I know that they are just letting their hair down, but it can get wild.
Back to these gorgeous pieces of art. So beautiful, and the horse in the water is a curiosity catcher.
Have great day.
Teresa
xoxo

La Petite Gallery said...

I loved that place. Went to dinner there and it was awesome.
Loved the feel of all the history and people just wandering around
just like it was another day HO HUM...

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Bella~ Your photos are fabulous! Everyone takes pictures of that same bum... yours would make Bernini proud.

'Our' hotel is near Piazza Navonna. It is always my last stop of the day.
Ciao~

Loree said...

Ah we're kindred spirits then because Piazza Navona is my favourite place in Rome too and probably my favourite place in the world. I just love everything about it.

Beach House Living said...

Like the horse and pigeon photos.

Mari@ said...

Ciao Julie, I'm pleased that you like my city. We have incredibly high temperatures in summer. I love Piazza Navona especially at Christmas. In that period it is a dream! Thank your for your wonderful photos.

Beatnheart said...

love the mingling of the black and white and pastel sea colors.

debra @ 5th and state said...

how stunning.......oh the details.........

kindof like the concept of the one statue ripping his shirt off..... hehe
beautiful julie!
debra

Sharon said...

The only bizarre thing about this for me is how one place can hold so much beauty. Thank you for these images Julie.

helen tilston said...

Hi Julie

Such beauty and how lovely that you still enjoyed visiting having last been 16 yrs ago. 39 C is hot and only the brave endure such heat.

Your images are works of art
Helen xx

Virginia said...

These are so beautiful. I admire your work so much.
V

Pooch Purple Reign said...

ditto on what everyone else said... but i was only looking at the arms hehe
~pooch xx

Sue said...

I love the horse statue...wow, impressive.