Fountains and Piazze

Rome had two hundred and twelve fountains in its day, besides the exuberant ones there are many secret fountains in street corners and courtyards to be discoverd. The modern fountains are mostly Baroque and identify the movement of water with the sense of life. After the fountains in Piazza Navona, the most maginificent is the Fountain of Trevi in Piazza Trevi; in the centre is Oceanus' chariot shaped like a shell, drawn by sea horses led by tritons. The Foutain of Trevi became famous because of the Fellini film "La Dolce Vita" in which Anita Ekberg bathes in it.

Gianicolo (Via Garibaldi) - Fontana dell’acqua Paola

The majestic show-fountain of acqua Paola known as the “fontanone del Gianicolo” was created for pope Paolo V Borghese (1605-1621) by Giovanni Fontana and Flaminio Ponzio and completed by Carlo Fontana with the enormous white marble basin. The monumental fountain exhibits three wide niches, with two minor ones alongside, from which water from Lake Bracciano flow. Part of the large inscription over the niches is inexact. It says that the pipes of the Alseitana were restored, when in reality they were from that of Triana. The papal coat of arms and the figures beside it are the careful work of Ippolito Buzio. It was only in 1690 that Pope Alessandro VIII Ottoboni (1689-91), following the designs by Carlo Fontana, replaced the five shells at the base of the hydrants with a magnificent, large basin. He opened the space facing the botanical gardens behind with its central arch, thereby constructing the square from which one can admire the wonderful panorama of the capital city.

Piazza Barberini - Fontana del Tritone

Thought to be one of the most beautiful Roman fountains, it was built in travertine by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1643. Between the dophins' tails which support the shell on which the Triton crouches, Bernini placed two coats of arms of the Barberini family. The Triton which blows in the shell pushes out a jet of water, which, falling on the valves which direct it into the basin below, creates an incredibly choreographic effect. It was restored both in 1932 and 1990.

Piazza Campitelli - Fontana della Piazza

The small elegant fountain in piazza Campitelli was the idea of the skilful architect Giacimo della Porta in 1589 and carved by Pompilio de Benedetti. Originally this fountain was placed in the centre of the square but in 1679 after the church of Santa Maria in Campitelli was enlarged it was moved to its actual position. The monument in travertine has an octagonal base. Straight, longer sides alternate with concave ones on which rests an octagonal basin decorated with the coats of arms of the four prominent families in the area (Albertoni, Capizucchi, Muti and Ricci who paid for the work of art) as well as by two grotesque masks that spout water. Above the basin supported by a marble baluster in the form of a goblet is a circular basin with a central jet of water.

Piazza Colonna - Fontana della Piazza

Pope Gregory XIII Boncompagni (1572-1585) appointed Giacomo Della Porta to plan and carry out work on the elegant fountain with the help of the sculptor from Fiesole, Rocco De Rossi, and the sculpture was placed in its current position in 1577. During restoration in 1830 two groups of dolphins with their tails entwined were added, the work of the sculptor Alessandro Stocchi. It was substituted at this time with a smaller and more modest fountain with a central, elegant spray of water spouting from its jet.

Piazza d’Aracoeli - Fontana della Piazza

Towards the end of the 16th century in 1589 during the pontificate of Sisto V Peretti (1585-1590), Giacomo della Porta created the harmonious fountain in Piazza d’Arcacoeli with four putti at the top pouring water from the amphorae in their hands. When the fountain at the foot of Campidoglio was restored in the 19th century the actual circular one replaced the large original oval basin. Also removed were the two steps that surround the basin included not to make it easy to reach the water but to make the fountain seem to emerge from the water of the wide oval basin.

Piazza dei Quiriti - Fontana della Piazza

In 1927, in the Prati district, a fountain inspired by the forms of the seventeenth century was raised following the designs of the sculptor Attilio Selva with female nudes that created scandal at that time. In the centre of a large circular basin is a raised one from which fall fine sheets of water. Four female figures with their backs turned stand in the centre of the basin supporting a large vertex with their heads and arms on which rests a spout.

Piazza del Campidoglio - Fontana della dea Roma - Fontanelle dei leoni

Fontana della dea Roma
In about 1536 Michelangelo created the fountain in Campidoglio known as the “Senate steps” or “Pallas kidnapped”. It was not intended as a fountain (water did not reach the Campidoglio until about fifty years later) but rather as a superb ornament in the square. In the central niche in the steps Michelangelo inserted a colossal statue of Minerva found today in the courtyard of the Capitoline museum. The statue remained there for about ten years and was then replaced by the actual, much smaller one of the goddess Roma triumphans. The statue of the goddess Roma raised on three bases has a marble face and extremities whilst the drapes are in porphyre. On either side of the large niche in the light of the steps Michelangelo inserted two enormous statues representing the rivers Nile and Tigris that originally adorned the thermal baths of Constantine on the Quirinale hills. The Romans wanted to transform the Tigris into the Tiber and therefore changed the tiger into a wolf and placed it beside Romulus and Remus. In order to change the entire complex of the Senate steps into a fountain, something that the architect Giacomo della Porta opposed vigorously, a competition was announced and won in January 1588 by Matteo Bartolani of the Città di Castello.

Fontanelle dei leoni
Two black Numidian basalt Egyptian lions were placed in 1562 at the bottom of the steps that lead to the Campidoglio square on the bases designed by della Porta. They originally decorated the entrance to the church of Santo Stefano del Cacco. In 1587 when Acqua Felice was brought to the Capitoline hills, and there was a lack of running water after the aqueduct Marcio was interrupted, the two lions were modified and changed into fountains. In 1588, the stone cutter Francesco Scardua following the designs of Camillo Rusconi, carved two shells to collect the water from the channels inserted into the lions’ mouths. On at least two occasions for the election of both Pope Innocence X Pamphili (1644-1655) and Pope clemente X Altieri (1670-1676) the fountains gushed red and white wine.

Piazza del Popolo - Fontana dell' Obelisco - Fontana della Dea Roma - Fontana del Nettuno

Fontana dell' Obelisco
The first fountain, built by Giacomo Della Porta and commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII Boncompagni, was judged by Leone XII Della Genga to be, even if beautiful, inadequate for the size of the square and he entrusted the refurbishing to Giuseppe Valadier, a leader in Roman classicism. Four white marble lions were placed around the obelisk, Egyptian style, with water falling like a fan into round travertine basins placed on a square base with five steps. Valadier also designed another two fountains to complete the lateral hemicycles.

Fontana della Dea Roma
This is the fountain placed in the right hemicycle, towards the Pinchio, designed by Valadier in 1823 and the carved marble group by Giovanni Ceccarini, representing the goddess Rome armed with a lance and a helmet, with on either side the reclining statues of Tiber and Aniente and the she-wolf feeding the twins. The travertine basin in the form of a large shell, collects waters from a small cup placed at the base of the monument.

Fontana del Nettuno
In the left hemicycle Valadier placed a contraposing fountain with a monumental group, once more carved by Ceccharin, representing Neptune and the Trident above two dolphins driven by two tridents. The water flows and is collected in the same way as the other fountain.

Piazza del Porto di Ripetta - Fontana dei Navigatori

Pope Clemente XI Albani had this fountain built in 1704 on the banks of the Tiber near the small port of Ripetta so that the porters who unloaded the wood and wine could quench their thirst. The designer Alessando Specchi imagined an oval basin with a rock on which was placed a shell with a dolphin at each end. The water that flows from the top of the rock, with its coat of arms of Albini at the top, and from the dolphin’s mouths is collected into the basin below. Halfway through the eighteenth century a lantern was added at the top to facilitate the nocturnal embarkation of the ships.

Piazza del Quirinale - Fontana dei Dioscuri

Given its name because of the two gigantic statues of the Dioscuri with the horses, Fontana dei Dioscuri was placed in Piazza del Quirinale in 1588.

Piazza dell’Emporio - Fontana delle Anfore

The architect Pietro Lombardi in the 20’s won a competition run by the municipality of Rome to design some local fountains. His most imposing work is the fountain of the Anfore for the Testaccio zone where, over the centuries, with the broken jars from the nearby fluvial river of Ripa Grande a travertine fountain by Lombardi was erected with a circular base divided into four parts with the same number of flights of steps. Each part contains a basin into which water is poured from a jar whilst volutes and columns join the steps to the heavy central group of jars above.

Piazza della Bocca della Verità - Fontana dei Tritoni

Also known as “ the tritons”, this 18th century fountain, was built in 1717 following the plans of the architect Carlo Bizzaccheri who created the basin in the form of a star to honour Pope Clemente XI Albani (1700-1721). In his coat of arms above a symbol that indicates three mountains, is an eight-pointed star. Two tritons sit on rocks in the centre of the basin, back to back with their tails entwined, supporting a basin in the form of a shell with the papal coat of arms carved on it. This fountain with its evocative atmosphere has always been afflicted by a scarcity of water. Clemente XI is remembered as a pope who did much for Roman town planning.

Piazza della Chiesa Nuova - Fontana detta la "Terrina"

Ordered by Pope Gregorio XIII Boncompagni (1572-1585) in about 1582, the architect Giacomo della Porta planned a fountain for Campi de’Fiori that, placed in the centre of the popular square below street level due to the low pressure of the Acqua Vergine. It was removed at the end of the 17th century and a monument to Giordano Bruno was erected. The large, oval, white marble shell decorated by four bronze dolphins (later removed and lost), inserted into a large basin is reached by two flights of four steps and was closed with a travertine lid in 1622 by Pope Gregorio XV (1621-1623). After the closure for hygienic reasons ( rubbish permanently dirtied the waters for the square was the home of a street market), the Romans called this fountain “ The Tureen”, a soup dish. In 1924, after having been removed for more than thirty years and deposited in municipal store rooms, this fountain was rebuilt in the square of the Chiesa Nuova.

Piazza della Repubblica - Fontana delle Naiadi

One of the most beautiful of all the modern Roman fountains. Built in 1888 following the designs of Alessandro Guerrieri who placed four chalk lions around the large circular basin. These were then replaced in 1901 by four bronze groups by the sculptor Mario Rutelli which represented the Lake Nymph with the swan, the River Nymph riding a river monster, the Ocean Nymph, known as "Oceana", on a wild horse which symbolises the breakers, and the Underwater Nymph, lying on the back of a dragon. In the centre is the "Glauco" group, carved by the same Rutelli and added in 1912 substituting another sculpture, and representing the dominion of man over the forces of nature. It was moved to the gardens in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele because it did not please its purchasers.

Piazza della Rotonda - Fontana del Pantheon

In 1575 Giacomo Della Porta, under orders from Pope Gregory XIII Boncompagni, designed elegant plans for a fountain to place in the centre of the square. Leonardo Sormani carried out the work composed of a multi-linear shell raised on three travertine steps, enriched by four groups of dolphins and masks with a central water basin with jets. In 1711, following the orders of Pope Clemente XI Albani, the architect Filippo Barignoni substituted the basin with a rock on which was placed the obelisk of Ramses II, six metres tall and decorated at the base by four dolphins carved by Luigi Amici.

Piazza delle Cinque Scole - Fontana della Piazza

Also known as the fountain of piazza Giudia (or Giudea) as it came from the square in the old ghetto demolished in 1888, this fountain carved by Pietro Gucci is considered to be one of the better creations of the architect Giacomo della Porta. A white marble, elongated basin rests on a base of two steps. In the centre a baluster supports a circular basin with a central jet from which water falls into the lower basin from four masks inspired by the Gorgons, with snakes in their hair,who spout water throught wide open mouths.

Piazza di Spagna - La Barcaccia

Pietro Bernini, father of Gian Lorenzo, designed the characteristic fountain, commissioned by Pope Urban VIII Barberini. Stories tell that Bernini was inspired by an old boat beached during the overflowing of the river Tiber in 1598. It was constructed at ground level to compensate the low pressure of the acqueduct of the Acque Vergine at that time. It was decorated on the inside by two Barberini " sun mouths" sprouting water out in a fan. Two coats-of-arms of Urban VIII may be seen externally. Some irony may be noted, knowing that this type of boat was usually used for the transportation of wine.

Piazza Mattei - Fontana delle Tartarughe

The splendid fountain known as “the Tortoise” is a magical creation by Giacomo della Porta that admirably combines water, architecture and sculpture. It is also happily inserted into a corner of Rome that has remained more or less the same as when it was built. In 1570 a fountain should have been placed in the nearby ghetto in Piazza Giudia but on the intervention of the Mattei family it was built here in 1581, whilst the ghetto only got its fountain in 1591 (see the fountain in piazza Cinque Scole). Four large marble shells rest in the centre of a wide basin with a square base and concave sides, above which are four static bronze ephebes with their foot on the head of a bronze dolphin. The ephebes, all in the same position, raise their arm towards the overhanging marble shell. In the original plans another four bronze dolphins, perhaps the same ones that initially decorated the fountain in Campo de’ Fiore, should have been found where the tortoises are now, but were inserted half way through the 17th century after its first restoration.

Piazza Mincio - Fontana delle Rane

The Fontain of the frogs, created in 1924, was based on a design by the architect Gino Coppedè .

Piazza Navona -Fontana dei Fiumi - Fontana del Moro - Fontana del Nettuno

Fontana dei Fiumi
Pope Innocence X Pamphilj authorised work on the removal of the obelisk from the Circo Massenzio and its placement in Piazza Navona, according to Bernini's project. Around this monolinth were placed four white marble statues, five metres tall which represented rivers. The first was by Claude Poussin and was dedicated to the Ganges, symbolising Asia; the Nile, representing Africa, was carved by Giacomo Antonio Fancelli, its veiled head standing for the up till then unknown source of the river, the Danube for Europe, carved by Antonio Raggi and finally the Rio de la Plata, representing America by Francesco Baratta.

Fontana del Moro
This fountain, erected in 1574 following the plans of Giacomo della Porta during the reign of Pope Gregory XIII Boncompagni, was completely restored in 1653 by Bernini who had received orders from Pope Innocence X Pamphilj. During the restoration of 1874 the four Tritons and the four masks were substituted with copies by Luigi Amici (the originals may be found in Municipal deposits). The central sculpture, designed by Bernini and carved by Giannantonio Mari in 1655, is mistakenly called "The Moor" due to its characteristic facial features but is really a muscular Triton who is riding a dolphin.

Fontana del Nettuno
This fountain, placed in the northern part of the square, was also restored by Bernini but remained for three hundred years without statues and decoration. In 1873 Antonio Della Bitta won the competition to carve the statue of Neptune, whilst Gregorio Zappalà carved the group aroun the basin: sea-horses, mermaids and putti playing with the dolphins. Work was completed in 1878.

Piazza Nicosia - Fontana della Piazza

The first public fountain in modern Rome, designed by Giacomo della Porta, was erected in piazza del Popolo before the other eighteen ordered after the re-activation of the Vergine aqueduct, in 1572. It was frequently moved and finally removed in 1823 when Valadier redesigned the square placing four fountains at the foot of the obelisk, also leaving the municipal storehouses. Halfway through the nineteenth century the fountain was reconstructed in piazza Nicosia but of the original only the large, octagonal marble basin was conserved whilst the baluster and the upper basin are of more recent construction. The four squatting tritons that decorate the Moro fountain in piazza Navona were originally carved for this fountain but, resulting out of proportion in relation to the size of the basin, they were happily placed in their actual position.

Piazza San Bernardo - Fontana del Mosè

This show-fountain of the Felice waters, so-called to honour Pope Sisto V ( Felice Peretti), who restored the aqueduct of the Alessandrina waters, is the work of the brothers Giovanni and Domenico Fontana in 1587. It was built in travertine with three large niches emphasised by four, symmetrically placed Ionic columns with four Egyptian lions, two in white marble and two in dark. At the inauguration in 1587 the heavy statue of Moses, more than four metres tall, had not yet been placed in the central niche of the fountain. The lateral niches contain the statues of Aronne and Gideon. The frontice-piece holds the papal coat of arms whilst protecting the basins is an imposing baluster from a building erected by Pious IV as the inscription present indicates.

Piazza San Marco - Fontanella della Pigna

It was designed in 1927 by the architect Pietro Lombardi for the Pigna quarter, which was originally how it got its name from the colossal vertex now housed in the Vatican. This fountain is characterised by a stylised base. The water is collected in small basins protected by four small columns.

Piazza San Pietro - Fontane della Piazza

Pope Alessandro VII Chigi commissioned Gian Lorenzo Bernini to build the famous colonnade in the square, replacing the already existing fountain of Maderno, built in an assymetric position in respect to the façade of the Basilica, and to balance the obelisk he had another built and unveiled in June 1677. The earlier one has the coats-of-arms of Pope Paolo V Borghese on its sides whilst the other has that of six stars of Pope Clemente X, under whose pontificate the work was finished. At the time the two fountains consumed about six million litres of water a day but they are now fitted with a system which allows the recycling of the waters.

Piazza Sant’Andrea della Valle - Fontana della Piazza

The fountain with its classical motifs was built for Pope Paolo V. Borghese (1605-1621) to stand in the square in front of the church of Santa Maria in Trasportina, following the plans of the architect, Carlo Maderno. It consists of an elegant basin placed on a base that follows the same line. In the centre of the basin placed on a base decorated with dragons and eagles, the Borghese symbols, is a circular basin, built in cement today that reproduces the original marble one that was destroyed. A jet of water rises from the higher basin and falls into the lower one where there are four more jets just above the water.

Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere - Fontana della Piazza

According to tradition this is probably the oldest monumental fountain in Rome. It appeared in a map of the city in 1471 by Pietro de Massaio. The church of Santa Maria in Trastevere was originally known as Sancta Maria in fontibus. It is thought that the 1471 fountain, in the centre of which is a polygon-shaped basin placed on a base where two basins, one on top of another stand on balusters, was a restoration of a much older one. The couplet epigram inscribed on the plaque on one corner of the fountain dates back to the end of the fifteenth century thanks to a restoration by Cardinal Lopez (lupus). The life of this fountain, the only one found in a poor district, was marked by the lack of a continual and rich supply of water. Alessandro VII Chigi (1655-1667) finally increased their water supply from 5 to 36 ounces and moved the fountain to the centre of the square. The work was entrusted to Bernini in 1659. The upper part of the monument was not modified but the octagonal basin in the lower part was raised on steps and four double shells, then facing externally, the Chigi coats of arms and inscriptions to recall the restoration. But about thirty years later in 1692 Pope Innocenzo XII had it cleaned, probably increasing the capacity of the basin and moving the shells so that they faced inwards, almost as it to protect them. Finally, in 1873, the Municipality of Rome totally re-built the fountain in bardiglio marble instead of travertine but copying that of 1692.

Piazza Trevi - Fontana di Trevi

This is the most imposing, scenographic and artistically worthy of all fountains not only in Rome. When, at the beginning of 1730, Pope Clemente XII decided to substitute the beautiful fountian designed by Leon Battista Alberti in 1453 with one of imposing majesty, he invited the best artists of that time to present their projects. Nicola Salvi was chosen and work was begun in 1735 and concluded under the papacy of Clamente VIII Rezzonico. The fountain was inaugurated on the 22nd May 176. It covers the whole of one side of Piazza Poli being 20 metres wide and 26 metres high. The Coat-of-arms of Clemente XII carved by Paolo Benaglia is placed at the top, four statues by the sculptors Corsini, Ludovisi, Pincellotti and Queirolo symbolise the four seasons are on the balustrade. In the centre is a coach in the form of a shell pulled by two sea-horses driven by two tritons from which a majestic statue representing the Ocean emerges. The whole group was carved in marble by Pietro Bracci. To the side of the niches is the "Salubrity" on the right and "Abundance" on the left, both works by Filippo Valle. Above these two sculptures is a bas-relief by Giovan Battista Grossi and Andrea Bergondi, reminding one of the legend of Agrippa who approved the project of the aqueduct to that of the virgin who indicates the source to thirsty soldiers. The large basin built on street level symbolises the sea and it is here that tourists throw their coins to wish themselves a pleasant return to the Eternal City. Legend tells that, in order to block the view of work from an excessively critical barber, the architect Salvi placed a large and heavy travertine vase, ironically similar to a soap-dish, immediately in front of the barber's shop. The external left side holds the "Fountain of the Lovers", a simple rectangular basin which receives water from a small pipe.

Piazza Trilussa - Fontana della Piazza

The large travertine fountain of the Sisto bridge (show-fountain of the Paola waters) was constructed in 1613 for Paolo V Borghese (1605-1621) by Giovanni Vasanzio (the Flemish Van Zanten). It was originally placed at the end of the elegant Via Giulia near the Ospizio dei Mendicanti, now in piazza Trilussa, an isolated building next to the Sisto bridge. Two Ionic columns on either side of a wide niche with their barrel vaults support an architrave on which rests a commemorative epigraph. The Borghese coat of arms dominates everything. Abundant water flows from an opening in the side part of the niche and falls into a shell from which it then flows loudly into a basin at street level. Two dragons carved in the base of the columns spurt water into the bath, as do two lion’s heads. Six, red granite columns are united by means of an iron structure that protects the fountain, moved in 1879 when it was decided to widen the bed of the Tiber and build the left bank, only to be rebuilt at the end of the nineteenth century. It was then raised about fifteen steps above street level in order to make it more visible from the Sisto Bridge.

Piazzale dell'Acqua Acetosa - Fontana dell'Acqua Acetosa

At the beginning of the 17th century (1613) Pope Paolo V. Borghese (1605-1621) had built a simple fountain in the country along the right bank of the Tiber near Tor di Quinto where there was a spring of aciduous- ferruginous water considered to be “healthy for kidneys, stomach, liver, spleen and many other illnesses.” It was, however, Pope Alessandro VII Chigi2 “the town planner”, (1655-1667) who designed and erected the beautiful all-enclosing water-lily fountain that still exists today. The plans for this delightful project, worthy of any beautiful private park, were for a long time attributed to Bernini but the fountain was really the work of the painter Andrea Sacchi in collaboration with Marcantonio de Rossi. The Acqua Acetosa fountain was abandoned at the end of the 50’s when it resulted polluted. Today this precious and elegant baroque fountain has been restored but now only normal drinking water flows from its spouts not Acqua Acetosa.

Piazzale Ostiense - Fontana dell'Acea

Inserted into a large grass area in front of the Acea building is a modern fountain, created in 1962 following the designs of the architects Ugo Macri, Giorgio Quaroni and Americo Romitelli, winners of a deliberately organised competition. Water falls from vertical structures decorated in bas-relief into a wide basin below. The fountain acquires particular charm at night when it is tastefully illuminated.

Via del Babuino - Fontana del Babuino

Pope Pious IV Medici (1558-1565) established the habit of the fountains known as “semi-public” when the pope granted water to those private citizens who promised to build and pay for a public fountain near his property. The name of Via del Babuino was changed to Via Paulina at the end of the 16th century when a rich merchant from Ferrara, Patrizio Grandi, obtained water for his property and fields by building a public fountain in the area. A statue of Satyr stands over the rectangular, grey granite, Roman thermal basin. Grandi donated it but the people did not like it and likened its features to a baboon so in 1581 the road changed its name to via del Babuino. The Baboon is one of the famous Roman “talking statues”.

Via della Cisterna - Fontana della Botte

In the Trastevere quarter on the corner between via della Cisterna and via San Francesco a Ripa a fountain was built in 1927 known as the Fountain of the Barrel, the work of the architect Pietro Lombardi to show the traditional presence in the area of taverns and wine shops. The barrel, placed vertically on a base, is the typical “cart” used in the past to transport the wine of the Roman castles and from a central hole the water pours out and is collected in a half basin below. On either side of the barrel are two containers to measure the wine of the type still in use today in Roman taverns from which flow water that is collected in strategically placed shells.

Via della Navicella - Fontana della Navicella

On the Celio hills in front of the church of Santa Maria in Dominica also known as “in navicula”, with its ceiling containing small boats floating on the waters, restored by Cardinal Medici who became pope under the name of Leone X, is the fountain known as the Navicella or small boat, probably from an idea by Sansovino in the early part of the 16th century (1518-1519). According to legend, a votive offering probably inspired the marble boat representing a Roman galley, by the sailors to Isis, the goddess protector of travellers. A jet of water rises from the centre of the bridge of the small boat placed on a base decorated with the coat of arms of Leone X and is collected into an oval travertine basin below.

Via Goffredo Mameli - Fontana del Prigione

Villa Montalto, owned by Sisto V Peretti (1585-1590) and found on the Esquilino hill, was the largest private property within the city walls. At the end of the nineteenth century, precisely in 1877, the whole area was divided up to build the Termini railway station, piazza dei Cinquecento and other modern districts. The only fountain left after the destruction of the villa, also a work by Domenico Fontana, was constructed in 1938 on the slopes of the Gianicolo are an apt background for via Manara. Today the fountain has a large niche surrounded by two pilaster strips with an over-hanging, richly decorated frontal-piece at the centre of which water flows from a lion’s head to be collected in a basin protected by six small columns. The statue of a prisoner that gave its name to the fountain has been lost.

Via Lata - Fontana del Facchino

One of the most famous "talking statues" (Pasquino is its famous and pungent interloculator) known as the "Facchino" (porter) represents a water-seller in his characteristic costume. According to others, it is dedicated to the wine carriers and reproduces the work of a certain Abbondio Rizzio, famous for his strength and capacity to drink large quantities of the wine he transported. Of uncertain origin, it was attributed to Jacopo Del Conte, supposedly between 1587 and 1598.

Via Margutta 53/A - Fontana del Cortile

The inclined terracotta amphora pours water into a white marble square basin of Roman epoca.

Via Margutta - Fontana degli Artisti

Following the plans of the architect Pietro Lombardi, this fountain was built in 1927 and represents the artists' symbols. Two artists' easels on which rest two grotesque masks stand on the original triangular base, one is sad, the other happy, underlining the alternate fortune of the career.

Via Straderari - Fontana dei Libri

The Fontanella dei Libri was constructed in 1927 in travertino following the designs of Pietro Lombardi for the quarter of St.Eustacchio and it is for this reason that the district symbol of a deer's head appears in the niche surrounded by four antique books perhaps recalling the nearby Sapienza University. Inside the basin is written the name of the district with an incorrect numerical referral: IV instead of VIII.

Via Vittorio Veneto - Fontanella delle Api

Immediately following work on the Triton Fountain, Bernini was given the job of planning a small drinking fountain for horses, usually to be found near all monumental fountains. This pleasant example of Roman baroque design was demolished in 1867 and taken to one of the deposits at Testaccio. Following pressure by scholars, it was rebuilt in 1916 utilising some of the original pieces but, according to the design of the Dutchman, Lievin Cruyl in 1665 , the result was not particularly faithful to the original.

Viale della Trinità dei Monti - Fontana della palla di cannone

The Cannonball Fountain in viale della Trinità dei Monti This fountain is simple but decidedly elegant due to the perfection of its proportions and the small fountain placed at the edge of the square facing the majestic Villa Medici. Annibale Lippi built it in 1589 for Cardinal Ferdinando Medici. Legend tells that Cristina of Sweden hurled the white, marble sphere at the centre of the circular, granite cup from which a jet of water spurts, against the door of the villa Medici. Arriving in Rome in 1655 for a visit, this learned and audacious woman remained for here for the last 34 years of her life. This ancient fountain holds an octagonal basin in the centre of which is a solid pillar supporting a beautiful circular shell with rounded edges with the “cannonball” in the middle.

Villa Borghese, Via Goethe - Fontana delle Vittorie Alate

This was based on a Roman sarcophagus carved with garlands of fruit and masks, winged Victories and two dolphins placed at the sides of a grotesque mask which pours water into the basin below. The grotesque mask ( by Della Porta) is one of the four fountains in the Rotonda square transferred here at the end of the 19th century. The other three are probably housed in the deposits of some municipal warehouse.