Fountain of the 99 Water Spouts, Gothic fountain in Quarto di San Giovanni, Italy.
Description
The Fountain of the 99 Water Spouts is a Gothic structure made of travertine in L'Aquila. The installation consists of three inward-facing pools from which water flows through stone channels from multiple rows of carved masks.
History
Tancredi da Pentima and Girolamo Pico Fonticulano built the monument in 1272 when the surrounding villages joined together to form the city. The fountain was meant to permanently anchor this union in the urban landscape.
Culture
The 93 carved faces on the spouts show men, women, monks, knights, and mythical creatures from medieval times. These figures reflect the inhabitants of the different villages that once joined together to form the city.
Practical
The fountain sits close to the L'Aquila train station and remains accessible throughout the year. The installation continues to supply cold water for visitors.
Did you know?
A Templar cross adorns the wall above the pools. The source of the continuously flowing cold water has not been located in over 700 years.
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