Fountains in Rome
Famous Fountains in Rome, Italy
The Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous fountains in Rome and is a must-see for any visitor to the city. The fountain is located in the Trevi district, which takes its name from the Latin word for "three roads," and is situated at the junction of three streets. The fountain was designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762. It is decorated with sculptures by Italian artists Giovanni Battista Maini, Pietro Bracci, Filippo Della Valle, Andrea Bergondi, and Francesco Navagna.
The Trevi Fountain is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome and is a popular spot for visitors to make wishes. According to legend, if you throw a coin into the fountain, you will be guaranteed a return trip to Rome. The fountain is also featured prominently in the classic 1954 Hollywood film "Roman Holiday" starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.
The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, or Fountain of the Four Rivers, is one of beautiful fountains to visit in Rome. Situated in the city's busy Piazza Navona, the fountain was designed by famed Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini and completed in 1651. The fountain is a striking Baroque work, depicting four river gods – the Nile, Ganges, Danube and Plate – each standing atop a granite obelisk. The gods are surrounded by lush flora and fauna, with the entire work flanked by two larger-than-life statues of winged lions.
The Fontana delle Tartarughe, or Turtle Fountain, is one of Rome's earliest Baroque fountains designed in 1658 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the preeminent sculptor and architect of his day. The centrepiece of the fountain is a group of four bronze turtles (or tortoises) emerging from a central basin. The turtles are supported by a stone slab decorated with mushrooms, shells, and vegetation. Water spouts from the mouths of two turtles into the basin below. It is also one of the few remaining examples of Roman Baroque animal sculptures.
Standing in the centre of the Piazza Tritone is one of the most famous fountains in Rome, the Triton Fountain. The fountain features a large sculpture of the mythological character Triton, the God of the Sea, surrounded by four smaller sculptures that represent the four rivers of Rome; the Tiber, Aniene, Tyber and Albula. The statue was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1642 and was his first public fountain.
The Fontana delle Api, or Fountain of the Bees, is one of Rome's most iconic landmarks. The fountain was designed by Bernini in 1644. It is located in the Piazza Barberini, in front of the Palazzo Barberini. The fountain is made of travertine and features four bees on the sides of the basin. The Fontana delle Api is one of Bernini's most famous works, and it is considered a masterpiece of Baroque art.
The Fontana dei Libri is located in the north-west corner of the Piazza del Popolo. It was designed by Pietro Lombardi and completed in 1927. The work, made entirely of travertine, presents a deer's head among four ancient books, two on each side and the water gauges out from the two bookmarks on each side.
The Neptune Fountain in Rome was commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici in 1559 to celebrate the marriage of Francesco de' Medici I to Grand Duchess Joanna of Austria. The Fontana di Nettuno is a large marble fountain with a central statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. This famous fountain in Rome was damaged due to mistreatment and vandalism. The city of Rome undertook a two-year restoration project to repair the statue and clean the fountain in 2019.
The Acqua Paola Fountain is decorated with lions, dragons, and dolphins, which makes it a unique sight to see. It is a historical landmark built in 1612 by Pope Paul V Borghese to mark the end of the Aqua Traiana aqueduct. The fountain consists of a central pedestal surmounted by a statue of Pope Paul V, with four lion heads on each side spewing water into a basin below. The fountain is lit at night, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike.
The Fontana della Botte was made in 1927 by the architect Pietro Lombardi, located in Rome, is a fountain with a unique design. The fountain is shaped like a large barrel, with two spouts from which water flows. The barrel is symbolic of the many barrels of wine that were once produced in the area. The Fontana delle Botte has had a significant impact on Roman culture and has become an important part of the city's identity.
FAQ’s
What are some of the famous fountains in Rome?
The Trevi Fountain - This fountain of Rome was built in 1762 by Nicola Salvi and is one of the most famous fountains in the city. It is located in the Trevi district, which gets its name from the three roads that converge there.
Neptune Fountain - The fountain depicts Neptune, the god of the sea, flanked by two Tritons. Legend has it that if you throw a coin into the fountain, you will be guaranteed to return to Rome.
The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) - It is located in Piazza Navona and was built in 1651 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The fountain represents the four major rivers of the four continents known at the time: the Nile (Africa), the Ganges (Asia), the Danube (Europe) and La Plata (the Americas).
There are many other beautiful fountains to visit in Rome, including the Fontana del Tritone (Fountain of Triton) on Piazza Barberini, which was also designed by Bernini; The Fountain of Moses on Via d’Azeglio; and The Fountain of the Naiads on Piazza della Repubblica.
What is Rome's fountain called?
The Trevi Fountain is one of the largest and most ornate fountains in Rome, and is a popular spot for tourists to toss coins into the water.
Why is Rome full of fountains?
In the days before modern plumbing, fountains were essential for providing clean water to the city’s inhabitants. Rome’s many aqueducts brought water from distant springs and rivers, and the fountains served as a way to distribute it throughout the city.
How many fountains are in Rome?
Rome is known as the city of fountains, and with good reason - there are more than 300 fountains in Rome!
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What is the oldest fountain in Rome?
The Fountain in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere is the oldest and most famous fountain in Rome built in the 8th century.
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What fountain was used in the movie “When in Rome”?
The fountain used in the movie When in Rome was the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy.
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Do you need a ticket to see the Trevi Fountain?
The Trevor Fountain is one of the many open and free fountains to visit in Rome, so you won’t need a ticket.
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