Fonte Gaia, Marble fountain in Piazza del Campo, Siena, Italy
Fonte Gaia is a marble fountain located on Piazza del Campo in Siena, featuring a rectangular basin surrounded by elaborately carved stone reliefs. The walls display biblical scenes, depictions of virtues, and a central Madonna with Child, all rendered in marble panels that form the fountain's main visual focus.
An underground water system completed in 1342 delivered water through tunnels called Bottini spanning roughly 25 kilometers to reach this fountain. The original marble panels were created by Jacopo della Quercia in 1419, though these were later replaced by a replica carved in 1858.
The name comes from the Latin word for joy, marking the moment when citizens first celebrated having running water in their medieval city. Today it remains a gathering spot where visitors pause to appreciate both the flowing water and the sculptural figures carved into the marble.
The fountain sits in the heart of Piazza del Campo, making it easy to locate and accessible at any time. Visitors should note that the plaza becomes crowded during warm weather, so arriving early in the morning or in late afternoon offers a more peaceful experience.
The original marble sculptures, including two female figures representing Roman mythology, are now housed in the Santa Maria della Scala museum nearby. These works reveal the artistic sophistication and carving techniques of Renaissance craftsmen who first created them.
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