The Piazza della 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 Repubblicayou have Via Parigi home
to the Italian Tourist Board (practically hidden and
not advertised) plus the famous shopping of Via Nazionale.
There is a multi screen Warner Bros
Cinema at Piazza Repubblica which shows the latest blockbuster
films in their original language... so if its raining
and you get bored surfing the web then go to the flicks
and take in a movie.
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