Fontana Contarini, Marble fountain in Piazza Vecchia, Bergamo, Italy.

Fontana Contarini is an octagonal fountain of Zandobbio marble in Piazza Vecchia, between the Palazzo della Ragione and the Palazzo Nuovo. A central jet rises from the main basin, flanked by two facing sphinxes whose mouths feed small drinking troughs. Two lions, emblem of Venice, stand on the remaining sides, and small columns carved with snakes and lions accompany the troughs.

Alvise Contarini, a Venetian magistrate governing Bergamo, gifted this fountain to the city in 1780 upon leaving his administrative post. The creation of the fountain dates to this period of Venetian rule over the region.

The lion sculptures surrounding the fountain reflect Venice's political control over Bergamo at the time. Visitors can see how these symbols made the city's connection to the Venetian Republic visible through its public spaces.

The fountain sits in Piazza Vecchia between two major palaces, making it easy to locate and view from multiple angles. Visitors can access the square on foot and enjoy the work within the historic city center setting.

The two small sphinxes face opposite directions: one looks toward the Palazzo della Ragione, the other toward the Angelo Mai library. Small basins at their feet catch water flowing from their mouths, and two short columns beside each basin are carved with snakes and lions.