Fontana dell'Acqua Felice, Monumental fountain in Municipio I, Rome, Italy.
The Fontana dell'Acqua Felice features three arches supported by four Ionic columns, with Egyptian-style lions at its base and religious sculptures in the niches.
Architect Domenico Fontana constructed this fountain in 1585 under Pope Sixtus V to supply water to the Viminal and Quirinal hill districts of Rome.
The fountain incorporates elements from ancient Roman buildings, including marble lions originally located at the Pantheon of Agrippa, representing the preservation of classical heritage.
The fountain marks the endpoint of the Acqua Felice aqueduct system, which brought fresh water to previously underserved areas of Renaissance Rome.
The central figure of Moses received such negative reactions from Romans that they nicknamed it 'Moses the Ridiculous' due to its proportions.
Location: Municipio I
Inception: 1585
Architects: Domenico Fontana
Creator: Domenico Fontana
GPS coordinates: 41.90439,12.49444
Latest update: May 10, 2025 23:11
Italian historic fountains demonstrate five centuries of craftsmanship in sculpture, hydraulic engineering, and urban design. From the 15th to the 19th century, Italian artisans shaped marble, bronze, and stone to create works combining practicality and artistic expression. These fountains tell stories from classical mythology, such as Neptune and marine deities, or from the Bible, like Moses drawing water from the rock. They also celebrate the political power of great families and the identity of Italian cities. In Rome, the Trevi Fountain extends 86 feet (26 meters) high with baroque sculptures, while Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers symbolizes continents on Piazza Navona. In Florence, Neptune sits above the Piazza della Signoria, recalling the Medici family's maritime ambitions. The gardens of Villa d'Este in Tivoli feature 51 fountains spread across multiple terraces, showcasing Renaissance hydraulic mastery. These works reveal how water has shaped Italy’s architecture and urban life, from papal Rome to squares in Palermo and Siena.
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