Local markets are always a great place to get a sense of the culture and flavour (quite literally) of a new place. Strolling through in the morning to grab some food in the sun is always a great way to start a day of exploring a new city. In Rome, there is one such marketplace which is also fascinating due to its history. The square of Campo dei Fiori in the centre of Rome is regularly home to a market with flowers and food stalls flocked by throngs of wandering tourists and, in the middle of the square, a statue. This brass statue is of Giordano Bruno, a 16th century friar and philosopher who was burned at the stake for his forward-thinking. Why not find a holiday rental in Rome and visit the market?
In the past, Campo de' Fiori was not the site of pleasant markets but, rather, was the place where public executions took place in the city. Giordano Bruno, after whom the staute is modelled and to whom it is dedicated, was a Dominican friar in the 1500s.
He was also a philosopher and it was his ideas about the nature of the universe that he was convicted of heresy and executed.
He believed that, despite his Catholic training and background, the universe was infinite and that there were multiple important worlds, all of which were equally overseen by God.
He was also a philosopher and it was his ideas about the nature of the universe that he was convicted of heresy and executed.
He believed that, despite his Catholic training and background, the universe was infinite and that there were multiple important worlds, all of which were equally overseen by God.
Such notions rankled the Catholic church at the time and he was branded a heretic during the course of a seven year trial. All of his works were placed on the Index of Forbidden Books by the Holy Office. On the 17th of February, 1600, Bruno was led to the Campo de' Fiori with a spike thrust through his tongue.
He never recanted his beliefs, standing by them right up to his death, and even refused to kiss a crucifix that he was presented with before the fire was lit. He was then burned at the stake and his ashes were cast into river Tiber nearby.
This event made a controversial proto-martyr for the scientific revolution of Bruno. In 1889, the statue of the philosopher was erected in the square, depicting him as a robed figure holding a text, referring to his life and work as a thinker and scholar. He was also placed facing the Vatican which further upset the Church but the statue remained. Despite the apologies issued for the persecution of early scientific trailblazers such as Galileo, they continue to refuse to remove the label of heretic from Bruno. Regardless, they could not remove the statue, nor the place Bruno has in many hearts, meaning that he won't be forgotten and his tragedy shall not be ignored. If you're looking for a nice market with a moment of solemnity and consideration on the side, this is the best place for you in Rome!
He never recanted his beliefs, standing by them right up to his death, and even refused to kiss a crucifix that he was presented with before the fire was lit. He was then burned at the stake and his ashes were cast into river Tiber nearby.
This event made a controversial proto-martyr for the scientific revolution of Bruno. In 1889, the statue of the philosopher was erected in the square, depicting him as a robed figure holding a text, referring to his life and work as a thinker and scholar. He was also placed facing the Vatican which further upset the Church but the statue remained. Despite the apologies issued for the persecution of early scientific trailblazers such as Galileo, they continue to refuse to remove the label of heretic from Bruno. Regardless, they could not remove the statue, nor the place Bruno has in many hearts, meaning that he won't be forgotten and his tragedy shall not be ignored. If you're looking for a nice market with a moment of solemnity and consideration on the side, this is the best place for you in Rome!
Photo credits
picture 2: Sputnikcccp / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Myrabella / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 2: Sputnikcccp / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Myrabella / CC BY-SA 3.0
