Roma Goddess fountain

The Roma Goddess fountain in Piazza del Popolo depicts the goddess Roma in the center wearing a helmet and spear, flanked by figures representing the Tiber and Aniene rivers. Water moves through multiple tiers of the composition, flowing naturally from the upper basin downward.

The fountain was built between 1822 and 1823 by Giuseppe Valadier and Giovanni Ceccarini during Rome's transformation of its northern entrance. This period marked a phase of urban renewal that established Piazza del Popolo as a major civic space.

The goddess Roma at the center wears a helmet and carries a spear, embodying her role as the city's protector. At her base sits the she-wolf nursing the twins, a symbol that remains central to Rome's identity.

The fountain sits on the eastern side of Piazza del Popolo where it is easy to spot and visually aligned with other fountains in the square. The plaza is well-served by public transportation and offers plenty of space to linger and view the sculptures from different angles.

Beneath the central figures lies a travertine shell-shaped valve that looks like part of the sculpture but actually controls the water circulation. This hidden mechanical detail reveals how early 19th-century fountain builders merged function with artistic beauty.