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Piazza Barberini was named after the aristocratic Renaissance-era family to whom Palazzo Barberini belonged. The famous two fountains by Gian Lorenzo Bernini are located in the square, and it is surrounded by luxury hotels, restaurants, and bars.
History
The Piazza Barberini was built in 1625 on the orders of Cardinal Francesco Barberini. The square is located at the end of Via Veneto. One of the Barberini sons was Pope Urban VIII, and the family had an incredibly high status in 17th-century Rome.
In the 18th century, Piazza Barberini contained lots of populated arts of Rome. There were many villas between the square and the Aurelian Walls, where the largest one was Villa Lodovisi. However, in the late 19th century, villas were replaced by modern quarters that we see nowadays.
All these changes have not affected the Fountain of Triton and the Barberini Palace.
Barberini Palace
A short distance from the square is the Barberini Palace (Palazzo Barberini), a Baroque palace with the Museum of Ancient Art (Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica) inside. Construction of the palace started in 1627 by architect Maderno with his nephew, Borromini, as an assistant. Maderno died in 1629, and the building was continued by Bernini, who completed the palace in 1633.
Today, you will find there impressive collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings.
See also a Guide to Borromini’s Masterpieces in Rome.
Fountains
There are two fountains by Gian Lorenzo Bernini located in the square.
Fountain of Triton
The Fountain of Triton (Fontana del Tritone) was sculpted in 1643. Four dolphins hold an open clam upon which a Triton, god of the sea, sits and blows water from his horn. The masterpiece is made of travertine and is considered one of most notable Bernini’s works.
Fountain of the Bees
Bernini’s modest work is a fountain of the Bees (Fontana delle Api). It was built in 1644 in honor of Pope Urban VIII and is decorated with giant bees, which symbolize the Barberini family. The fountain is located near the Piazza Barberini, at Via Vittorio Veneto. Moreover, a Latin message reads that the fountain’s water is for the public and their animals.
Barberini Hotel
Barberini Hotel has spacious air-conditioned rooms, where Certain accommodations include a sitting area for you to relax. Moreover, there is a private bathroom in each room with bathrobes, complimentary toiletries, and a hairdryer. The hotel is beautiful and will be an excellent choice for shopping, Italian culture, and food travelers.
- You might also like Best 4-star hotels in Rome.
Sina Bernini Bristol Hotel
Sina Bernini Bristol Hotel features a rooftop terrace with a Michelin-starred chef, hot tub, and unique views of the historic center.
Moreover, the hotel dates back to 1874 and has spacious, individually designed rooms furnished in a period style. Most rooms offer views of Piazza Barberini.
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