Fontana della Pigna, Bronze sculpture in Cortile del Belvedere, Vatican City.
The Fontana della Pigna consists of a massive bronze pine cone measuring four meters in height, positioned within a grand niche of the courtyard wall.
The bronze pine cone fountain stood near the Pantheon and Temple of Isis before being relocated to Old Saint Peter's Basilica during medieval times, reaching its current position in 1608.
The fountain includes replicas of bronze peacocks on each side, reproducing ornaments that previously decorated Emperor Hadrian's tomb at Castel Sant'Angelo.
Visitors can access the Fontana della Pigna through the Vatican Museums, where it marks the end point of the Museo Pio Clementino collection.
The dimensions of this monumental pine cone fountain received recognition in Dante's Divine Comedy as a reference point for describing the giant Nimrod's head.
Inception: 1 century
Made from material: bronze
GPS coordinates: 41.90639,12.45444
Latest update: March 2, 2025 22:47
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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