Fontaine de la Rotonde, Central fountain at Place de la Rotonde, Aix-en-Provence, France.
Description
Fontaine de la Rotonde is a large fountain monument in the center of Aix-en-Provence's main square, constructed from white marble with bronze elements including lions, sirens, and angels mounted on swans. The structure features multiple tiers with decorative water basins and rises prominently above the surrounding plaza.
History
The fountain was designed by Théophile de Tournadre in the 1850s and completed in 1860 as the city modernized and expanded during the Second Empire. Its water system was initially supplied by the Zola Canal but was later converted to draw from the Verdon Canal.
Culture
Three female statues at the top represent Justice, Commerce, and Fine Arts, each oriented toward a different direction to symbolize the city's connections to neighboring regions. This arrangement reflects how the city saw itself as a center of cultural and economic importance.
Practical
The fountain sits in the heart of the city where major boulevards meet, making it easy to reach on foot. The open plaza offers plenty of space to walk around, and the surrounding cafés and shops make it a natural stopping point for rest and people-watching.
Did you know?
The fountain's basin was the first in Aix-en-Provence to use cast iron in its construction, a technical innovation for its era. This made it a model for other civic infrastructure projects that followed in the region.
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