Roma - Fontane

Gianicolo, Via Garibaldi
Fontana dell'Acqua Paola

The majestic show-fountain of acqua Paola known as the “fontanone del Gianicolo” was created for pope Paolo V Borghese (1605-1621) by Giovanni Fontana and Flaminio Ponzio and completed by Carlo Fontana with the enormous white marble basin. The monumental fountain exhibits three wide niches, with two minor ones alongside, from which water from Lake Bracciano flow. Part of the large inscription over the niches is inexact. It says that the pipes of the Alseitana were restored, when in reality they were from that of Triana. The papal coat of arms and the figures beside it are the careful work of Ippolito Buzio. It was only in 1690 that Pope Alessandro VIII Ottoboni (1689-91), following the designs by Carlo Fontana, replaced the five shells at the base of the hydrants with a magnificent, large basin. He opened the space facing the botanical gardens behind with its central arch, thereby constructing the square from which one can admire the wonderful panorama of the capital city.