Fontana della Sirena, 19th century fountain in Piazza Sannazaro, Naples, Italy
Fontana della Sirena is a fountain located in Piazza Sannazaro and features a large elliptical basin with a central rocky formation at its core. This structure is adorned with aquatic plants, crowned by four animal sculptures sitting on the rocks, and topped with the siren figure holding her lyre.
Sculptor Onofrio Buccini created this fountain in 1869 originally for a railway station garden setting. The work was relocated to its current spot at Piazza Sannazaro in 1924, where it has remained ever since.
The statue of Parthenope with a lyre sits atop the fountain, representing the legendary founder of Naples from ancient myth. This figure visually connects the city's identity to its maritime origins and ancient Greek settlement.
The fountain sits in the center of a public plaza in the Mergellina neighborhood and is easily accessible on foot. The surrounding area has restaurants, cafes, and shops, with several bus lines serving the area nearby.
Four different animals perch on the rocky formation at the fountain's center - a horse, lion, dolphin, and turtle. Each creature embodies different qualities associated with Naples, from earthly strength to connection with the sea.
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