Fabulously beautiful city, where all roads lead, strikes the imagination of even experienced travelers. The capital of hospitable Italy is a real treasury, fraught with monuments that reflect the former greatness of a powerful empire. Unique Rome, located on the mighty river Tiber, is famous for its squares, which are one of its main attractions. The centers of the country's cultural and political life deserve no less attention than ancient masterpieces.
One of the most beautiful squares in the world
Republic Square in Rome has a special atmosphere for which tourists adore the Eternal City. Connecting most of the central streets, it is completely open for walking. Piazza della Repubblica is located on the top of the Viminal Hill, in the very center of the capital of Italy. This is a very picturesque corner, mesmerizing with amazing beauty.
The Baths of Diocletian
At the beginning of the 4th century, on the very spot where the Republic Square in Rome is now located,whose history is rich in events, large-scale construction of ancient Roman baths began. A whole complex of thermal baths, which became the hallmark of the city, was erected in honor of Emperor Diocletian. The basis of the architectural project was the so-called exedra - a semicircular spacious niche with a dome, which was an indispensable part of the ancient baths. It is no coincidence that until the 50s of the last century, one of the main city attractions of a rounded shape was called Piazza dell' Esedra (Esedra Square), which is still relevant for local residents.
The complex, made on a truly imperial scale, accommodated more than three thousand people. Warm baths, decorated with dense green gardens, pools with cold water, lounges, a reading room were a true decoration of proud Rome. Unfortunately, the baths of Diocletian were destroyed by warlike barbarians during the next siege of the city.
Currently, on the Republic Square in Rome, the photos of which always arouse the admiration of tourists, there are palaces built in 1898. The majestic buildings belonging to government institutions are made in the same semicircular shape.
Church dedicated to the Mother of God
Here you can see the old church built in 1566. The Basilica of St. Mary is the brainchild of the talented architect and sculptor Michelangelo, who became the greatest master of the Renaissance. The Italian, who devoted the last years of his life to construction, tried to connect the ruins of ancient baths, whichremained in the Republic Square in Rome, with strict church canons. True, the construction of the religious monument was completed after the death of the genius.
The structure of the building has undergone some changes: the facade was rebuilt several times, and the floor of the basilica was raised several meters to prevent groundwater from flooding the premises. Currently, thanks to the efforts of modern architects, the front side of the church is as close as possible to the original appearance.
Description of the Basilica
The appearance of Santa Maria Degli Angeli e die Martiri, located on the Republic Square in Rome, is very interesting. The church has a concave shape as it is part of the exedra.
The basilica, which grew on the remains of the bath complex, is ingeniously inscribed in the ruins of the term. The central part of the religious monument can be compared to a gigantic covered area, which is beautifully decorated. Numerous ornaments, paintings and sculptures turn it into a real temple of art. The cruciform vaults of the church are supported by powerful columns. Only eight have survived from the imperial baths, and the rest are imitations and were made in the 18th century.
Meridian and sundial
But the greatest interest of visitors is caused by a diagonal colored strip embedded in marble with a built-in beam more than 40 meters long. Tiles with the signs of the Zodiac are also laid out here. It is curious that the position of the strip coincides with the meridian line that crosses the capital of Italy at a latitude of 15 degrees.
The tool for determining the date of Easter was ordered by Pope Clement XI, and was created by the talented mathematician, astronomer and historian F. Bianchini. Exactly at noon, the penetrating rays turn out to be directed exactly along the meridian line, which is also a sundial. It is known that all of Rome used them to check time until the 40s of the 19th century.
Fountain of Naiads
The infamous fountain made by the Sicilian sculptor Mario Rutelli is recognized as the main decoration of the historical landmark. The beginning of the last century is the heyday of symbolism, and the creative person decided to use the figures of naiads, who are the guardians of water sources. Nude nymphs hold a semicircular bowl, symbolizing the oceans.
In the center of the sculptural composition is Glaucus, the protagonist of Ovid's Metamorphoses. The sea deity in the form of a man fights with a dolphin, and thus the author of the fountain in the Republic Square in Rome emphasized the idea, fashionable at the beginning of the 20th century, that people have power over nature.
Breaking Scandal
The naked statues immediately caused indignation among the conservative-minded citizens, who demanded their removal. It was decided to enclose Rutelli's creation first with a wooden fence and then with an iron grate. However, every day young people climbed over the fence to take a closer look at the delights of young naiads.
After the controversy in the government, the nymphs managed to defend, the fence was all-they did, and the Republic Square in Rome became incredibly popular. However, the guardians of morals for a long time resented such frank images. Now tourists who have visited one of the attractions of the Eternal City will be able to see erotic sculptures in their original form.
Republic Square in Rome: reviews
This is a very spacious and beautiful square, and despite the large number of people, no one gets the feeling of an anthill. On the contrary, as vacationers admit, there is a lot of space here. Every day, thousands of guests of Rome walk along Piazza della Repubblica, especially crowded here on weekends and holidays.
A special place where you can easily immerse yourself in a festive atmosphere, attracts tourists who are interested in history and appreciate architectural masterpieces. Each building located on the square can be viewed for a long time. And the abundance of attractions is the main reason forcing travelers from all over the world to rush here.
