Fontana dei Dioscuri, Marble fountain at Piazza del Quirinale, Italy
Fontana dei Dioscuri sits on Piazza del Quirinale with a central granite basin and twin statues flanking an Egyptian obelisk, rising about 29 meters high. The composition brings together marble sculptures, flowing water, and a pointed stone monument into a unified design.
The original fountain was built in the late 1500s under Pope Sixtus V as part of papal urban planning. In the early 1800s, architect Raffaele Stern redesigned it completely under Pope Pius VII to create what visitors see today.
The twin statues depict Castor and Pollux from ancient mythology, figures originally placed in Constantine's baths and later relocated here. They represent protectors that Romans honored for centuries, embodying guardianship over journeys and soldiers.
The plaza is easily reached on foot and accessible from several sides, allowing flexible viewing angles. Good sight lines from the square offer multiple perspectives for photography and watching the water flow.
The granite basin comes from a discovery in the 1500s and is an authentic Roman artifact built into the modern structure. This ancient element gives the fountain a direct link to Roman times, existing long before its current form.
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