Rome

Book Fountain in Rome

The Fountain of Books (Fontana dei Libri) is an unusual decoration that flaunts on the wall of the city archive of San Ivo alla Sapienza (Archivio di Stato di Roma). A fountain with drinking water, of which there are thousands in Rome, is decorated intricately and originally, and asks for a photograph!

Description

The Book Fountain was built in 1927 by the architect Pietro Lombardi. The architect won a competition for the construction of several fountains, designed to return the old districts of the capital to their historical past. Lombardi gave Rome and Italy several modern artificial ponds: the Fontana delle Anfore fountain in the Testaccio area, the Fontana della Botte Barrels fountain in the Trastevere district and so on. Later, Lombardi will participate in the reconstruction of the Ariccia Bridge (Ponte di Ariccia) and Ciampino Airport (Aeroporto di Roma-Ciampino).

Lombardi knew the history of Rome well, so each of his works, each fountain had a deep hidden context. In the past, Via degli Straderari was called Universitetskaya because the archive building housed an educational institution - the University of Wisdom (Università della Sapienza). That is why book volumes are used as large elements of fountain decor. Drinking water flows from bookmarks and covers of stone tomes.

Just below the books is the reindeer head, a long-standing symbol of the Sant'Eustachio area., in which the fountain is located. The nearby palace of the fountain of Madama's palace (palazzo Madama), once the residence of the Medici family, which also found its reflection in the decor of the fountain. Five large pearls, located at the head of the sculptural group, symbolize the power and influence of the Medici house.

The whole composition is limited by an arch, on which the motto "SPQR" ("Senatus Populusque Romanus") is carved. The motto of the times of the Roman Empire, which states: "The Senate and the citizens of Rome" - is one of the permanent attributes of the eternal city.

  • Interesting fact: over the head of a deer, the Sant Eustacio district number is carved. However, instead of the actual number "VIII", the number "IV" is indicated.

How to get there

  • Address: Via degli staderari
  • Get on the bus: No. 30, 70, 81, 87, 492, 628, N6, N7 to the Senato stop. Then walk south along Corso del Rinascimento to the junction with Via degli Straderari. Or take the same bus numbers to the Corso Rinascimento stop and head along Corso Rinascimento heading north to the junction with Via degli Straderari.
  • Attractions nearby: Piazza Navona (piazza Navona), Palazzo Madama, Pantheon (Pantheon).

Watch the video: Marta's Road Book #5 : ROME the fountains - my American friend (November 2024).

Popular Posts

Category Rome, Next Article

Excavations of the Praetorium
Germany

Excavations of the Praetorium

If you are interested in the history of Cologne, then go to the Pretorium, where you can get acquainted with the life of the inhabitants of the Colony and see luxury goods, the ruins of the palace of the governor of Rome are waiting for you there. Roman Pretorium Traces of the Romans' stay in Cologne can be seen under the building of the town hall, where the ruins of the palace of the Roman governor were discovered
Read More
Church of St. Gereon
Germany

Church of St. Gereon

The Church of St. Gereon today is an active Catholic church, the walls of which have a monument to St. Gereon, a Roman warrior who fought and died for the Christian faith. St. Gereon Church - Cologne's oldest religious building ^ photo Christine St. Gereon Kirche Church - Cologne's oldest church.
Read More
Where to have fun in the center of Cologne?
Germany

Where to have fun in the center of Cologne?

The city center is not the most suitable district for fun in Cologne. At best, you will be able to find some good bars here. Most restaurants are designed for hungry shoppers who dine here throughout the day. But in the evenings, restaurants also work. You will be pleased to take a break from the crowds of tourists flooding the Old Town.
Read More
Werker Stable Transport Museum
Germany

Werker Stable Transport Museum

The Dresden Museum of Transport contains steam locomotives, cars and trams of the early 20th century, retro cars, horse-drawn trams, and the oldest German steam locomotive "Muldenthal". Transport Museum (Verkehrsmuseum), photo by chriechers Dresden Transport Museum (Verkehrsmuseum Dresden) was opened in 1956 in the building of the former historical museum, where the stables of the Saxon Elector Christian I used to be
Read More