Quattro Fontane

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Quattro Fontane
Fountain
Piazza Quattro Fontane 270deg Pano.jpg
The Quattro Fontane, Rome
Design Muzio Mattei
LocationVia delle Quattro Fontane, Rome, Italy
Quattro Fontane
Click on the map for a fullscreen view
Coordinates: 41°54′7.07″N12°29′26.58″E / 41.9019639°N 12.4907167°E / 41.9019639; 12.4907167

The Quattro Fontane [1] (the Four Fountains) is an ensemble of four Late Renaissance fountains located at the intersection of Via delle Quattro Fontane and Via del Quirinale in Rome. They were commissioned by Pope Sixtus V and built at the direction of Muzio Mattei, and were installed between 1588 and 1593.

Contents

Design

The figure of one fountain is said to represent the River Tiber, in front of an oak-tree; a she-wolf, the symbol of Rome, was a later addition. A second fountain represents the River Arno. The other two fountains feature female figures believed to represent the Goddess Diana; the symbol of Chastity; and the Goddess Juno, the symbol of Strength, but it is possible that they may also represent rivers. The fountains of the Arno, Tiber, and Juno are the work of Domenico Fontana. The fountain of Diana was designed by the painter and architect Pietro da Cortona.

History

The later Baroque church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, by Francesco Borromini, is located near the fountains, and takes its name from them. Until 1964 the Via Quattro Fontane was home to the Pontifical Scots College.

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References

  1. "The Four Fountains". Roma Sito Turistico Officiale. Retrieved 22 March 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Quattro Fontane at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by
Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi
Landmarks of Rome
Quattro Fontane
Succeeded by
Fontana delle Tartarughe