heartofthesouth

While in Rome this past December I was quite disapointed to see that the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini in Piazza Navona was encased for cleaning or repairs...either way you could only see parts of the fountain through little windows...

The fountain was honestly one of the main reasons I went to Rome since I am a huge Bernini fan. My fiance and I will be heading back to Rome in December of 2009 and I'm hoping and praying that you will be able to see it in it's full glory instead of covered up.

Does the fountain undergo repairs during December each year??? I sure hope not.

cinquanta

My only trip to Milan was when they had the whole front of the Duomo covered in scaffolding and tarps. Also La Scala was being refubished and you could not go inside.
I don't know about annual repairs in December but someone on this site will know.
How is Rome in December?

adrienne

Every time I've been in Venice the bell tower in St Mark's square has been covered up.

Too bad about the fountain. Have you seen all the other Bernini stuff in Rome? There's lots of it. If you haven't seen the ecstacy in San Francisco a Ripa church I recommend going there (but not early or late in the afternoon - you need light). I'm a Bernini fan too!

ellenem

No, the fountain is not covered every December, but these things take time . . .

chicgeek

Adrienne, I was also going to suggest San Francisco a Ripa. The Ecstasy sculpture by Bernini is absolutely stunning. My understanding is that Bernini designed the alcove it is set in. There are two windows that are high up and you can't see when standing there. But they illuminate the sculpture, and it is brilliant.

Also, heart, I'm sure you must have already gone to the Borghese Gallery?

adrienne

chicgeek - I think I like the ecstacy in San Francisco a Ripa better than the ecstacy of St-Teresa. The first time I saw it was at 7:00 in the morning and it was too dark to really see it well. The next time I went in mid afternoon and it was spectacular. In fact, I was caught in the chapel for quite a while because a prayer session started and I didn't want to walk by the altar area during the prayer. Well these prayers went on so long I just decided to tip toe out of the chapel quietly. But I had the ecstacy all to myself for a long time. It was great!

brando

I understand your dissapointment, but do city websites list maintance schedules???? I am not sure but on my tript to europe I always googled sites I wanted to see and see if they were open, under repairs, etc etc....

heartofthesouth

Rome was absolutely wonderful in December all be it very cold...as long as you have a thick coat, gloves and a scarve you should be fine though.

The Christmas market in Piazza Navona was nice but quite a bit smaller than I was expecting.

I tried to see all the Bernini items that I could but my friend that was with me rushed me through every single place we went to...I actually went out at 2 in the morning to see the Angels on the bridge while she was sleeping. That would be the main reason my fiance and I will be going to Rome in Dec of 09 for our honeymoon...just for me to be able to see all the Bernini works and not be rushed...it will also be his first time so I am letting him look at my Bernini books so he can at least know what he is looking at once we get there.

It's so great to find other Bernini fans on here! Most people I know have never even heard of him....so sad.

Chicgeek....the Borghese gallery is actually one of the places we never made it to because "her feet were hurting" and she didn't know her way back to the apartment...ticked me off royaly! I believe that is where the Apollo and Daphne is located..am i correct in this?

adrienne

Get thee to the Borghese immediately! It's so fabulous - one of my favorites. I've been 3 times and the third time I booked back to back reservations since 2 hours wasn't enough. Look on their web site - there's pictures of the sculptures. A&D is there and many others. Take the guided tour. Bernini also did a bunch of sculptures in St Peters.

Altar of the Capella dei Sacramento
Balconies in the pillars of the dome
Baldicchino
Cathedra Pietro (apse)
Ciborium above St. Peter's tomb
Constantine the Great (main landing of Scala Regia)
Pasce Ovesmeas (marble relief inside portico above the central door)
St. Longinus (niche of NE pillar of the dome)
Statues over the colonnades
Tomb of Countess Matilda (right aisle)
Tomb of Pope Alexander VII
Tomb of Pope Urban VII (in Cathedra Pietro)

I attended a two-part lecture last year on Bernini and Borromini - their rivalry was facinating.

heartofthesouth

I was lucky enough to "lose" myself in the crowds at St. Peters to be able to see all the Bernini works...that way my travel companion couldn't find me and tell me she was ready to go...she just had to wait lol.

If you don't already have it I strongly suggest the book "Bernini Genius of the Baroque" It was purchased for me from Barnes and Noble and I think it was somewhere between $50-$60 for the paperback version...it's a large coffee table book...Trust me...it's worth every penny!

marigross

I was wondering if there is an integrated website where one can check on restoration status of all monuments in Rome.... time to google.

Last time I was in Rome it was in 1998 and there were a lot of encased monuments in preparation for the 2000 jubilee. It was very dissappointing.

Vttraveler

As others have noted there are many many other works by Bernini to see in Rome. Here's a link to another list of sculptures and fountains
www.slowtrav.com/italy/rome/es_bernini.htm

I recommend reading The Genius in the Design: Bernini, Borromini, and the Rivalry That Transformed Rome
by Jake Morrissey

sandi_travelnut

I agree, there are so many Bernini sculptures in the city you cannot be disappointed. Also, all you have to do next time is post a thread, a few days before leaving, and ask someone if a fountain or monument is under repairs. Surely someone here can give you a last minute update....

amyb

I did the Bernini Blitz last November. To be sure, don't miss San Francesco e Ripa in Trastevere for the Blessed Ludovica Albertoni, which I also thought was more impressive than St. Teresa.

Also, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, which is off via del Corso near the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain, actually has the two angels from the Ponte d'Angelo that they think Bernini himself actually did. The ones on the bridge are either copies or from his "studio", which doesn't necessarily mean he did them himself. It took me about 8 tries before I could get in there when there wasn't a mass going on, but it was worth it.

But there is NOTHING (imho) that compares to either Apollo and Daphne or the Rape of Prosperina at the Galleria Borghese. Those are just spectacular.

heartofthesouth

I almost completely agree with your opion on the Apollo of Daphne and the Rape of Prosperina (they are beautiful)...and while I did wonder all over the city looking at Bernini works I was very disapointed with my trip since the Fountain of the Four Rivers was encased...when you dream of something since you were a little girl and you go alllllll the way over to Rome to see it...it's a big let down to not be able to see it out in the open.

Now don't get me wrong...I was absolutely elated to be able to see all the other works...but the fountain is my favorite and always will be...I will just have to keep going back to Rome until I can finally see it.

amyb

I'm going back next month...I haven't thought to inquire if it's still covered, although it probably is since it's only been a year since they started...but I saw it about 8 years ago and it is beautiful, I agree!

heartofthesouth

OK, so lets find out for Amyb....has anyone been in Rome recently to see if the Fountain of the Four Rivers is still encased?

ms_go

It was at the end of June.

Margaretlb

And at the Borghese, dom't forget "David". The motion Bernini captures is incredible. Looks like David is ready to let loose the stone that slays Goliath! fantastic.

Marija

Still under repair in July.