Hotel Raphael, Largo Febo 2, 00186 Rome, Italy.
The renowned Piazza Navona is one of the characteristic squares in Rome and is built by Emperor Domitian on the site of the Stadium of Domitian in the 1st century AD. The Piazza follows the form of the open space of the stadium. The stadium has a length of 275 metres and a wide of 106 metres and could accommodate up to 30,000 people. Defined as a public space in the last years of 15th century, when the city market was transferred to it from the Campidoglio, the Piazza Navona was transformed into a highly significant example of Baroque Roman architecture and art during the pontificate of Innocent X, who reigned from 1644 to 1655, and whose family palace, the Palazzo Pamphili, faced onto the piazza.
During its history, the piazza has hosted theatrical events and other ephemeral activities. From 1652 until 1866, when the festival was suppressed, it was flooded on every Saturday and Sunday in August in elaborate celebrations of the Pamphilj family.
The Piazza Navona features spectacular architectural elements. Three baroque fountains array Piazza Navona, the Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi), the Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana del Moro) and the Fountain of Neptune (Fontana del Nettuno). In the centre of the square stands the Fountain of the Four River by Gian Lorenzo Bernini with an ancient Egyptian obelisk and the fountain represents the major rivers of the four continents - the Danube for Europe, the Nile for Africa, the Ganges for Asia and the Rio de la Plata for America. The Fontana del Moro is located on the southern end of the Piazza Navona and was originally designed by Giacomo della Porta in 1574 with four Tritons and other statues. In 1654 Gian Lorenzo Bernini added the statue of a Moor, or African, wrestling with a dolphin. The Fontana del Nettuno is situated at the north end of the Piazza Navona and was designed by Giacomo della Porta without sculptures in 1574. The fountain as it exists toda was completed between 1873 and 1878 by Antonio della Bitta, who addes the sculpute of Neptune figting with an octopus and other mythological sculptures.

The five-star luxurious Hotel Raphael, a Relaix & Chateaux Hotel, is ideally situated right in the historic centre of the "Eternal City" adjacent the vibrant Piazza Navona and close to the Pantheon, the Vatican with St. Peter's Basilica, Castel Sant'Angelo, Campo dei Fiori, the Spanish Steps and Via Condotti with elegant shops and exclusive designer boutques.
This elegant hotel with an impressive and unique facade, covered by dark green ivy and bouganvillea ornamenting, was built in 1963 and renovated in 2008 and it combines sumptuous charm with modern architectural interior and latest amenities and comfort. The public areas of the Hotel Raphael, offering luxurious charm, are elegantly decorated with authenic antiques and works of art, like sculptures, paintings, litographs by Mirņ, Morandi, and De Chirico, antiquarian artefacts, and precious ceramicy by Pablo Picasso and Mayan art. The Raphael Hotel's marvellous rooftop terrace offers splendid panorama views of ancient Rome.
The Hotel Raphael offers 53 guestrooms inclusive of 23 suites on five floors, some with private balcony or terrace and all rooms are elegantly and comfortably decorated. The rooms and suites on the two new executive floors are designed by the famous American architect Richard Meier.
The restaurant "Relais Picasso" at the Hotel Raphael offers excellent international cuisine and Italian specialities in an elegant ambience and during the summer month guests can dine on the "Rooftop Terrace Bramante" with breathtaking views over the "Eternal City".
The Hotel Raphael in Rome offers a fully equipped fitness centre.
The Hotel Raphael provides two meeting and banquet rooms for up to 40 guests for exclusive business and social events.
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The Raphael Hotel is  perfect for city journeys to Rome / Italy Pets are welcome to The Raphael Hotel (on request)
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