Mala Onofrijeva česma, Renaissance fountain in Luža Square, Croatia
Mala Onofrijeva česma is a Renaissance fountain with an octagonal basin located on Luža Square in Dubrovnik. Its central column features carved dolphins and masks that direct water into the main pool below.
The fountain was built around 1442 as part of the city's water supply system and demonstrated Dubrovnik's engineering skill. Its construction brought fresh water from the Rijeka dubrovačka source directly to residents and merchants.
This fountain serves as a gathering place where locals and visitors alike collect fresh water and admire the decorated water spouts. It reflects how the city designed water as a shared resource for everyday use.
The fountain sits at the eastern end of Stradun street and is easy to find while exploring the old town. Water flows continuously from the spouts, making it accessible to visitors at any time of day.
A dog figure called 'kuchak' in local dialect sits atop the fountain and was restored to its original position in 2016 after extensive work. This small statue holds special meaning for residents but often goes unnoticed by passing visitors.
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