Fontana delle Palle di Cannone, Stone fountain in Vatican area, Rome, Italy
Fontana delle Palle di Cannone is a stone fountain with a central travertine arch bearing Rome's coat of arms. Stone spheres are stacked in a pyramid shape around a water opening, directing water into side basins and a lower trough designed for animals to drink.
The fountain was designed by Pietro Lombardi in 1927 after he won a municipal competition. The project was part of an effort to represent different districts of Rome through fountain installations.
The name comes from the stone spheres stacked like cannonballs, which evoke the defensive heritage of this area near Castel Sant'Angelo. Visitors immediately notice how this arrangement connects to the fortress nearby.
The fountain is located on Via di Porta Castello and is easy to find while exploring the neighboring streets. Water flows year-round, and there is enough space around it to stop and take photos.
The fountain was specifically designed to identify the Borgo district, a historically important part of Rome with its own character. The cannonball symbolism sets it apart from fountains representing other neighborhoods.
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