Italy year 1974 – 1976 Architecture / Famous Fountains – FDC complete set
Italy is renowned for its stunning architecture, and its fountains are some of the most iconic and beautiful examples of this. Here’s an overview of some of Italy’s most famous fountains, often celebrated for their historical significance, intricate design, and artistic beauty:
1. Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) – Rome
- Location: Rome
- Architect: Nicola Salvi (1732)
- Style: Baroque
- Description: Perhaps the most famous fountain in the world, the Trevi Fountain is a masterpiece of Baroque art. It depicts Neptune, the god of the sea, riding a shell-shaped chariot pulled by two horses. The fountain is known for the tradition of tossing a coin over your shoulder to ensure a return to Rome.
2. Fountain of Neptune (Fontana del Nettuno) – Florence
- Location: Piazza della Signoria, Florence
- Architect: Bartolomeo Ammannati (1575)
- Style: Renaissance
- Description: Located in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, the Fountain of Neptune was commissioned by Cosimo I de’ Medici. The statue of Neptune is surrounded by mythological figures and water nymphs, blending classical themes with Renaissance artistry.
3. Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi) – Rome
- Location: Piazza Navona, Rome
- Architect: Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1651)
- Style: Baroque
- Description: This fountain represents four major rivers from different continents: the Nile (Africa), the Danube (Europe), the Ganges (Asia), and the Río de la Plata (America). Each river is personified by a colossal figure, and the fountain is topped by an Egyptian obelisk.
4. Fountain of the Moor (Fontana del Moro) – Rome
- Location: Piazza Navona, Rome
- Architect: Originally by Giacomo della Porta (1575), later modified by Bernini (1654)
- Style: Renaissance / Baroque
- Description: Situated at the southern end of Piazza Navona, the Fountain of the Moor features a central figure of a Moor, or African man, wrestling with a dolphin, surrounded by four Tritons.
5. The Triton Fountain (Fontana del Tritone) – Rome
- Location: Piazza Barberini, Rome
- Architect: Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1642–1643)
- Style: Baroque
- Description: This fountain depicts the sea god Triton, son of Neptune, blowing a conch shell, from which water sprays. It was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII and is considered one of Bernini’s masterpieces.
6. Fountain of the Naiads (Fontana delle Naiadi) – Rome
- Location: Piazza della Repubblica, Rome
- Architect: Mario Rutelli (1901)
- Style: Late 19th-century
- Description: The Naiads are mythological water nymphs, and this fountain features four of them, each symbolizing a different type of water: oceans, rivers, lakes, and underground water. It is one of Rome’s most recent monumental fountains.
7. The Fountain of the Amphitrite (Fontana dell’Anfitrite) – Genova
- Location: Piazza De Ferrari, Genoa
- Architect: Giuseppe Crosa di Vergagni (1936)
- Style: Neoclassical
- Description: Located in the heart of Genoa, this fountain is a central landmark of the city, with a large circular basin surrounded by jets of water. It represents the sea goddess Amphitrite, the wife of Poseidon.
8. The Fountain of the Frogs (Fontana delle Rane) – Rome
- Location: Piazza Mincio, Rome
- Architect: Gino Coppedè (1927)
- Style: Art Nouveau
- Description: This fountain is located in the Coppedè district, known for its whimsical and eclectic architecture. The fountain features frogs spitting water into the central basin and is surrounded by a lush, garden-like setting.
These fountains not only serve as sources of water but are also artistic masterpieces that represent the grandeur and history of Italy. Each fountain reflects the architectural styles and cultural influences of the period in which it was created, making them important landmarks in Italy’s rich architectural heritage.
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