Quattro Fontane, Renaissance fountains at Via delle Quattro Fontane intersection, Rome, Italy
Quattro Fontane consists of four travertine fountains set into carved stone niches at a street intersection in the heart of Rome. Each one features different mythological characters and river representations crafted in the baroque style.
A pope commissioned these fountains in 1588 as part of a new water system, with two prominent architects building them between 1588 and 1593. The project fit into a larger plan to bring fresh water to different neighborhoods across the city.
The fountains honor local rivers and mythological figures that connect Rome and Florence through their shared stories. They represent how water and ancient mythology shaped the way people understood their cities during the Renaissance.
The fountains sit at an important street corner and are easy to reach, being close to public transportation options. It works well to visit them on foot while walking through the historic center during a self-guided tour.
Each fountain faces a different direction of the compass, creating perfect balance at the intersection. The original water mechanisms still work today in the same way they did centuries ago.
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