The main city of Italy, Rome is endowed with many epithets and is quite worthy of one more - "the city of fountains". There are really many of them in the Eternal City, and not only because it is one of the most spectacular elements of the urban ensemble. For an explanation it is worth going to Ancient Rome.
Rome is naturally blessed with water. It is built on seven hills overlooking a damp lowland. Numerous streams flowed into it, and springs gushed from the slopes. But this water tasted unpleasant and almost undrinkable. Ancient Rome became famous for its aqueducts. They supplied fresh cold water from sources located sometimes tens of kilometers from the city.
Each river or source was represented by the ancient Romans as a deity or its abode. The water delivered through the aqueducts was also a personification of these deities, each of which had its own cult. Water from different sources could not be mixed in one faceless water supply network. An obstacle to the free flow of water would be just as blasphemous, therefore, in ancient Rome, the water was never blocked. With the advent of the Renaissance, numerous fountains became one of the main decorations of the city.
At the end of the 16th century, by order of Pope Sixtus V, a group of four fountains was installed at once. The fountains are located in niches at the corners of houses that surround the intersection on four sides. The figures decorating the fountains represent symbolic images of the Tiber and Arno rivers, as well as the goddesses Juno and Diana. The Tiber symbolizes Rome and is depicted as a bearded man with a cornucopia. Nearby, the legendary she-wolf appears from the thickets. Arno symbolizes another city in Italy - Florence, and also appears as a strong man with a cornucopia and the lion of Morzocco - the patron saint of Florence. Juno personifies feminine strength, she is depicted with a goose. According to legend, the geese from the temple of this very goddess saved the city from the Gauls. Therefore, Juno here acts as the protector of Rome. Diana in Roman mythology is the goddess of plants and animals. She was also revered as a guardian of the roads, which is why her images were traditionally placed at intersections. The Arno, Tiber and Juno fountains were designed by the sculptor Domenico Fontana, while the Diana fountain was created by the artist and architect Pietro da Cortona.
The Della Barcaccia fountain was installed in 1629 on the Plaza de España. This creation by Pietro Bernini was supposed to perpetuate the memory of the people who suffered during the flood of 1598. The fountain is a half-submerged boat. The fountain mirror is on the same level as the square. A small stream of water gives rise to a melancholic and chamber feeling.
The Fountain of the Four Rivers is one of the most impressive in Rome. It was built in the middle of the 17th century by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. In the center there is an obelisk decorated with a bronze dove with an olive branch in its beak. The dove was on the coat of arms of the Pamphilj family, from which Pope Innocent H. came. The Pontiff announced a competition for the best fountain using an obelisk. According to legend, Bernini was not allowed to participate, but he submitted the project anyway. Seeing the layout, dad canceled the competition and entrusted the work to Bernini. A rock rises in the center of the fountain. Wild animals emerge from her caves. Around are male figures representing the four cardinal points and four great rivers: Danube - Europe, Ganges - Asia, Nile - Africa and La Plata - America.
The Fountain of the Four Rivers is located in the center of the elongated Piazza Navona. It is flanked by two more compositions. On the one hand, there is the fountain of the Moor taming the dolphin, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. On the other, the fountain of Neptune fighting an octopus surrounded by sea horses and cupids by Giacomo Della Porta.
Remembering the sights of Rome, it is impossible to pass by the Trevi Fountain. Adjacent to Palazzo Poli, the Trevi Fountain is larger than all the other numerous fountains in Rome. The name of the fountain, built in the 18th century, comes from the name of the square on which this ensemble is located and means “three roads”. The Trevi Fountain was built on the site where the Aqua Virgo - Water of the Virgin aqueduct ended. It was built by Mark Vipsanias Agrippa in 19 BC. According to legend, a girl pointed out the location of the source to the emperor's companion. This scene is depicted by one of the reliefs of the Palazzo Poli. On the other, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa explains to Octavian Augustus the importance of developing the water supply network in Rome. Below, in the niches, are female figures representing Health and Abundance. The author of the Trevi fountain, Nicolo Salvi, in the center of the composition placed the colossal figure of the Ocean, riding on a huge chariot shell drawn by sea horses. In ancient Greek mythology, the Ocean is the personification of the world river, washing land and sea. Majestic, it rises above the bowl of the most grandiose fountain in Rome, representing a whole sea with rocks, shells and sea inhabitants.
