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

Who has the strongest economy? Italy is far from the leaders ...
Business and Economics

Who has the strongest economy? Italy is far from the leaders ...

Every year, the European Center for Economic and Business Research publishes a report with forecasts for the development of key global economies. And the expected forecasts for Italy are not encouraging. What can’t you say about the UK ... By 2030, the UK will overtake France and Germany and become the most economically powerful state in Europe - these are the forecasts of the authoritative European Center for Economic and Business Research, CEBR (Center for Economic and Business Research, CEBR).
Read More
Ferrari 355 S sold for 21 million dollars
Business and Economics

Ferrari 355 S sold for 21 million dollars

Purchased for thousands of dollars and sold for more than 21 million. This deal is worth it to be recorded in the annals of the history of the car, because the object of trade is neither more nor less, but Ferrari. More precisely, the 1955 355 S model, a museum exhibit, which at the end of last year after long private negotiations was acquired by an Austrian collector.
Read More
Italy: hell for the unemployed
Business and Economics

Italy: hell for the unemployed

Today, the results of recent research on employment were summed up. According to analysts and political scientists, the results are simply shocking: since 2008, Italy has been steadily moving towards the title of "The weakest country in Europe." The thing is that over the past five years, Italy has been going through very difficult times: the economic crisis not only crippled the country's financial situation, but also affected the wages and employment of its population.
Read More
Children come up with a name for the main mascot of the Expo 2015 exhibition in Milan
Business and Economics

Children come up with a name for the main mascot of the Expo 2015 exhibition in Milan

The competition was attended by children from all over Italy. Soon, the names of the remaining ten characters-mascots of the Milan Expo will be announced. The competition, launched in December last year by the organizers of Expo 2015 Milan, will be announced. All Italian children were tasked with coming up with names for the characters (vegetables and fruits) that make up the face of the main mascot of the 2015 world exhibition.
Read More