Piazza Navona literally translated means the square of the big ship. In fact the shape of the piazza is an oblong ship shape and in roman times was flooded with water to allow mock sea battles to be staged. The piazza was also the scene of many martyrdoms including Saint Agatha who was thrown to her death for refusing to marry... The two most important architectural works lie directly opposite each other and are: the fountain of four rivers (Bernini) and the Church of Sant'Agnese in Anone (Borromini) - there was great rivalry and jealousy between these two architects and legend has it that the statue in Bernini's fountain has his arm aloft in an attempt to shield his eyes from the perceived hideous sight of Borromini's church...