Naiadi Fountain, Rome
The Fountain of the Naiads in Rome is located on the Republic Square. The Romans say that it is worth visiting the square, Rome, and indeed Italy that just to enjoy the architecture of the fountain. However, for the long time the fountain of Naiads was not that popular.
History of Fontana delle Naiadi
The fountain of Naiads was built in 1870 by order of Pope Pius IX in place of the old city fountain. The famous Roman master Guerriere was the main architect. According to the project, four sculptures of lions decorated the fountain. During the first 30 years of the fountain's work, the four bronze lions delighted the eyes of the townspeople.
At first the fountain was located slightly further than it is today. It was moved to a modern place only in 1855, when during the reconstruction of the city Piazza della Repubblica was destroyed, the main decoration of which was the fountain of Naiads.
Composition of the Fountain
In 1901, the Naiads fountain was reconstructed, the works were carried out according to the project of the architect Mario Rutelli. The artist decided to replace the lions and decorated the fountain with four nymphs, which symbolize the water elements. Each of the Naiads protects its water element and sits on its marine beast:
- the naiad-river sits on a river monster;
- the naiad-ocean sits astride a huge seahorse;
- the naiad-lake rushes on the swan;
- the naiad of the underground waters sits on the dragon.
The central figure in the composition of the fountain is the image of a young man – a sea creature with fins, a fish tail and gills, which fights with a dolphin. The sculpture is made of bronze.
According to the idea of the architects, the composition of the Naiads fountain in Rome symbolizes the man's victory over the water elements.
How to get there
Fountain of Naiads is one of the most interesting and popular tourist attractions of Rome. It is located on the Republic Square, in the central part of the city, not far from the Baths of Diocletian.
To get here the tourist can use public transport:
- Metro – the nearest stops "Termini" and "Repubblica – Teatro Opera".
- Bus number 53, 83, 85, 223, 910.
