Behind The Green Door

Is it the "light at the end of the tunnel" or just a picture that needs Photoshop?

What is really behind this green door in Rome? A three bedroom, two bath, apartment was waiting for us on the 4th floor. Not wanting to exhibit OLT's (Old Lady Tendencies) we were anxious to get unpacked and begin to explore the sights and flavors of Rome that very first evening. Our first destination would be to one of the world's most famous squares, The Piazza Navona. We were anxious to see the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi or the Fountain of the Four Rivers (1651) by the famous architect and sculptor, Bernini, and the church of Sant'Angnese in Agone by Borromini and Rainaldi, but our real reason for walking the narrow streets of Rome was to find tartufo at Tre Scalini. If you want to be happily intoxicated with chocolate, this awesome dessert should be your first choice! If President Kennedy ordered it and had it flown to the White House for a dinner party, you really need to taste it at least once in your lifetime.

There are three fountains in this square but the central and largest, Fountain of the Four Rivers was constructed on request of Pope Innocent X. Favoring Borromini, Innocent X was tricked into giving the commission to Bernini; the fountain features four figures, each representing a river from a different continent.

The two other fountains on the piazza are the Neptune fountain and the Moor fountain. Another highlight on the Navona square is the church of Sant'Agneses in Agone, whose Baroque facade was designed by Borromini, Bernini's main rival.

If I had to pick my favorite memory from Rome (June 15, 2010), it would be eating tartufo!