Roma - Fontane

Via del Babuino
Fontana del Babuino

Pope Pious IV Medici (1558-1565) established the habit of the fountains known as “semi-public” when the pope granted water to those private citizens who promised to build and pay for a public fountain near his property. The name of Via del Babuino was changed to Via Paulina at the end of the 16th century when a rich merchant from Ferrara, Patrizio Grandi, obtained water for his property and fields by building a public fountain in the area. A statue of Satyr stands over the rectangular, grey granite, Roman thermal basin. Grandi donated it but the people did not like it and likened its features to a baboon so in 1581 the road changed its name to via del Babuino. The Baboon is one of the famous Roman “talking statues”.