Fontana Maggiore, Proto-Renaissance water well in Piazza IV Novembre, Perugia, Italy
The fountain features two polygonal marble basins with twenty-four panels of pink Assisi stone, separated by white Carrara marble statues representing historical figures.
Nicola Pisano, Giovanni Pisano, and Arnolfo di Cambio collaborated to construct this monumental fountain in 1275 to celebrate the installation of a new aqueduct.
The lower basin displays fifty carved panels depicting zodiac symbols, agricultural activities, biblical stories, and mythological tales connected to Rome's foundation.
Water flows from a bronze cup through both basins, demonstrating the engineering achievement of transporting water uphill from Monte Pacciano without mechanical pumps.
Latin inscriptions on the lower frame guide viewers through the artistic narrative, combining religious symbolism with classical mythology and daily medieval life.
Location: Perugia
Inception: 1275
Architects: Nicola Pisano, Giovanni Pisano, Arnolfo di Cambio
Creator: Nicola Pisano
Architectural style: Proto-Renaissance
Made from material: marble, bronze
GPS coordinates: 43.11210,12.38880
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:50
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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