Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Via IV Novembre
The villa's most famous resident was Galileo, who was imprisoned here between 1630
and 1633 during his trial for heresy, though Keith Richards and Anita Pallenberg stayed
here in the 1960s.
Trevi Fountain to the Quirinale
TREVI FOUNTAIN
See
Click here
.
FOUNTAIN
PIAZZA DEL QUIRINALE
( Barberini)
A wonderful spot to enjoy a glowing Roman sunset, this piazza marks the
summit of the Quirinale hill. The central
obelisk
was moved here from the Mausoleo di
Augusto in 1786 and is flanked by 5.5m statues of
Castor
and
Pollux
reining in a couple of
rearing horses.
If you're in the neighbourhood on a Sunday you can catch the weekly changing of the
guard (6pm in summer, 4pm the rest of the year).
PIAZZA
CHIESA DI SANTA MARIA DELLA VITTORIA
(Via XX Settembre 17; 7am-noon & 3.30-7pm; Repubblica)
This modest church is an unlikely set-
ting for an extraordinary work of art - Bernini's extravagant and sexually charged
Santa
Teresa trafitta dall'amore di Dio
(Ecstasy of St Teresa). This daring sculpture depicts
Teresa, engulfed in the folds of a flowing cloak, floating in ecstasy on a cloud while a
teasing angel pierces her repeatedly with a golden arrow.
Watching from two side balconies are a number of figures, including Cardinal Federico
Cornaro, for whom the chapel was built. It's a stunning work, bathed in soft natural light
from a concealed window. Go in the afternoon for the best effect.
CHURCH
