Fonte delle fate, Medieval fountain in Poggibonsi, Italy

Fonte delle Fate is a public fountain in Poggibonsi, built entirely of travertine. Its facade is a portico of six double pointed arches carried on pillars more than two metres thick, and pointed arches were cut inside the pillars to help the water flow away. It is the largest surviving structure of the old Poggibonizio.

The fountain was built in the second half of the 13th century, traditionally attributed to Balugano da Crema, in a spot called Valle Piatta. In 1484 earth from the construction of the Medici fortress of Poggio Imperiale buried it. It was brought back to light in 1803 during a large excavation for a vineyard.

The name "Fonte delle Fate" (Fountain of the Fairies) is a popular tradition; the source records the site as the Fonte di Vallepiatta, from the old place name Valle Piatta. Since September 2000 the basin has held I Dormienti by Mimmo Paladino, 25 bronze sculptures of crocodiles and human figures in fetal position, donated by the artist to Poggibonsi and placed in the water.

The fountain lies at the foot of Poggio Imperiale, below the Medici fortress, in the Valle Piatta area of Poggibonsi. Reach it on foot from the town centre; the travertine facade and the water basin are viewed from outside, at ground level.

The structure is built from travertine, a light-colored stone common to the region and highly resistant to water damage. This choice of material shows how medieval builders made practical use of local resources.