There is a legend in Rome that tells of the rivalry between Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini, who were not only two great architects and sculptors but authentic geniuses of the 17th century.

Their masterpieces can be found almost everywhere in Rome: the tour starts from Santa Maria della Vittoria, the wonderful baroque church that takes its name from the Battle of the White Mountain during the 30 Years War. This church houses the famous statue by Bernini “The Ecstasy of Santa Teresa”, and is one of the locations of Dan Brown’s famous book “Angels and Demons”.

The tour continues on Via del Quirinale, where you will admire the Church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, to which an ancient monastery built by Borromini is annexed and where he built the crypt in which he would have liked to be buried after his death. Continue towards the Church of Sant’Andrea al Quirinale, an elliptical church designed by Bernini. Walking through the wonderful Quirinale hill, seat of the President of the Italian Republic, the tour continues towards the Trevi Fountain where there will be a short stop to rest, cool off and photograph the majestic Trevi Fountain.

The tour ends by passing through the Church of Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza and arriving in Piazza Navona where the legend of the rivalry of these 2 great artists was born: in fact, in the large square, the Fountain of the 4 rivers, a work by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in which we see the giant of the Rio della Plata that seems to be afraid of an imminent collapse of the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, Borromini’s masterpiece: is it true?