La bella città - part 5

Day 6 - Piazza Navona, Campo de' Fiori, back to the Borghese Park, and a disappointing meal.

First stop - coffee at the Bibliobar.

There's a hint of autumn in the leaves.

The  cycle track by the river is well used today.

Did you ever see an ice-cream walking...?

On to the lively Piazza Navona, on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, and still the same shape.  Most of the stalls are selling paintings and caricatures - rather like a less claustrophobic Place du Tertre.

Egyptian obelisk with the fountain of the four Rivers

Harry meets the Invisible Man

Harry's cousin Morton has recommended the Campo de' Fiori, so we head in that direction.

 It was once a meadow, then became the site of many burnings at the stake, including Giordano Bruno, a 16th century Dominican friar and philosopher, whose statue in bronze by Ettore Ferrari dominates the square. He was executed in the Campo de' Fiore for heresy - he denied several Catholic doctrines (including the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, the virginity of Mary, and Transubstantiation) and the Inquisition was not pleased. 

 There was an excellent little sandwich and snack shop near by - more pizza and some biscuits. Onwards. Well, well, here's another old ruin . . . 

 and the second cat I've seen in Rome.

 We pass the lovely creature below as we walk on towards the Borghese Park - I know something I could introduce him to nearer home.

We have a quick pitstop in a cafe, then head to the Borghese Park. We find a bench and eat our lunch under the disapproving gaze of this serious-minded statue - Angelo Brofferio, a poet and politician, with anti-clerical views, who supported the freedom of the press, and opposed the death penalty and torture. 

Grazia Deledda, writer

 Sunday afternoon and the park is full of young families and couples relaxing and enjoying the sun and the breeze!

We don't even try to resist the temptation to hire a rowing boat for twenty minutes on the little lake.

 In the middle of this artificial lake is the "Temple of Aesculapius"

The sky is clouding over - a storm is forecast.  There are a couple of claps of thunder, and at least ten drops of rain. The street vendors swap the sunhats for brolleys alongside the inevitable selfie sticks.

 Dramatic skies over Rome, seen from the Piazzale Napoleone

We'd decided to eat out, but our choice of steamed salmon and veg was rather uninspired and expensive, even if it was healthier than the usual pizza! We followed it up with a visit to a gelatteria and an expresso, so all was not lost.