Roma - Fontane

Piazza Campitelli
Fontana della Piazza

The small elegant fountain in piazza Campitelli was the idea of the skilful architect Giacimo della Porta in 1589 and carved by Pompilio de Benedetti. Originally this fountain was placed in the centre of the square but in 1679 after the church of Santa Maria in Campitelli was enlarged it was moved to its actual position. The monument in travertine has an octagonal base. Straight, longer sides alternate with concave ones on which rests an octagonal basin decorated with the coats of arms of the four prominent families in the area (Albertoni, Capizucchi, Muti and Ricci who paid for the work of art) as well as by two grotesque masks that spout water. Above the basin supported by a marble baluster in the form of a goblet is a circular basin with a central jet of water.