Italy - Rome

Full of history and artifacts which span more than two and a half millenniums,  Rome is one of the most important cities in the world. Ruins of the Coliseum and Forum, Vatican, Bernini fountains, Vittorio Emmanuel II monument are just a few of many ancient, Renaissances or (more or less) contemporary Rome's attractions. And, of course, there is plenty of nude public sculptures from different epochs of Rome's rich history. Not everything - especially ancient - is well preserved. Missing noses, arms, and other parts of the body, or elegant  sculptures covered  in dirt make it sometimes hard to fully appreciate the beauty of the human body and the mastery of  the (very often) unknown authors.But let's get started.

 Vittorio Emmanuel II monument was designed by Guiseppe Sacconi, completed in 1935, and honors the first king of a unified Italy. It looks huge and pompous from a distance, but a closer look (with a good lens)  shows a lot more than a naked and restless eye can catch in a touristic hurry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Piazza Navona is one of the worlds most famous squares. Fontana Del Nettuno, built by Giacommo della Porto on the northern side of the piazza, depicts the battle between the god Neptune and an octopus. Ladies with cute little tails seem to be helping  Neptune with his efforts.

 

 

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Piazza della Republica is home to one of the most beautiful and exquisite modern fountains - Fountana delle Naiadi. The fountain was commissioned by Pope Pius IX in 1870, and originally featured chalk lions. The lions were replaced in 1901 (after the Pope's death) by a bunch of playful naked Nymphs created by Palermo sculptor Mario Rutelli.  Buildings around the piazza also have several nice nude sculptures on their rooftops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Via San Pio X Bridge connects Vatican with the central Rome. Pio X (1835-1914)  opposed modernism in all its manifestations, but his namesake bridge is adorned by sculptures depicting the beauty of human body (some of them - angels) at it's fullest. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fountain de Trevi is the most famous fountains in the world, and the largest Baroque fountains in
Rome. And what is a nice fountain without some beautiful nudes.

 

 

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Random walk. Sculptures on rooftops and balconies, small reliefs here and there - nothing escapes an eye armored with a powerful lens, inspecting elements which would be otherwise lost or under-appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This is from Vatican Museum, and not exactly public art, but still - quintessential PeTit.

<Click photos to enlarge>