Fontana del Palazzo Piccolomini, Renaissance fountain at Palazzo Piccolomini, Pienza, Italy
The octagonal stone fountain stands in the center of intersecting paths within the palace garden, featuring decorative fruit garlands and Piccolomini symbols.
The fountain was installed in 1459 as part of Pope Pius II's project to transform his hometown Corsignano into Pienza, following Renaissance architectural principles.
The fountain marks the central point of one of Italy's earliest Renaissance gardens, demonstrating the period's mathematical approach to landscape architecture.
Visitors can access the fountain during regular palace opening hours, with guided tours available that explain the water system and garden design.
The fountain's position at the crossing of the boxwood-lined paths creates a perfect compass rose pattern when viewed from the palace's upper loggia.
Location: Pienza
GPS coordinates: 43.07660,11.67882
Latest update: March 4, 2025 01:16
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.
Palazzo Piccolomini
21 m
Madonna di Vitaleta chapel
3.7 km
Duomo di Pienza
36 m
Historic Centre of the City of Pienza
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Sant'Anna in Camprena
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Horti Leonini
6.4 km
Pieve dei Santi Vito e Modesto a Corsignano
607 m
Vescovile Palace
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Palazzo Comunale
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San Francesco
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Castle of Spedaletto
5.1 km
Chiesa della Madonna di Vitaleta
6.3 km
Pieve dei Santi Leonardo e Cristoforo a Monticchiello
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Santa Maria Assunta
6.3 km
Santa Caterina
656 m
Museo diocesano d'Arte Sacra
38 m
Santa Maria dello Spino
3.8 km
Chiesa della Misericordia
80 m
San Regolo
3.6 km
San Carlo
188 m
Parco di villa Trecci
6.1 km
San Niccolò a Spedaletto
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Ponte di Pian di Maggio
6.3 km
Podere Belvedere (San Quirico d’Orcia)
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Palazzo Massanini
3.4 km
Diocesan Museum
44 m
Tepotratos - Scene del Teatro Popolare Tradizionale Toscano
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Door to cappuccini
6.2 kmReviews
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