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 (May 2024).

Popular Posts

Spartacus Rebellion - Issue 5 Story

Spartacus Rebellion - Issue 5

In the previous issue, Spartak with the help of speed and tenacity took over two consular armies, but Crixus, his comrade, did not master this feat and died the death of the brave. The senate, in sorrow and hopelessness, appointed the chief responsible for resolving the gladiator issue of a citizen named Mark Licinius Crassus. At the time of the events described, the aforementioned Roman was already 43 years old, and most of all he was known for the multi-valued amounts on accounts in Swiss banks.
Read More
Roman taxi driver cheating customers with a remote control Tourism

Roman taxi driver cheating customers with a remote control

A police officer in the Roma Prati metropolitan area detained a 37-year-old taxi driver. When checking it turned out that an enterprising man increased the cost of each trip with the help of a remote control. The taxi driver worked legally, but his counter received an additional upgrade in the form of a control unit, which received control signals from a small remote control hidden in the driver's hand.
Read More

Category Rome, Next Article

The 5 most luxurious villas and palaces in Rome
Cities of Italy

The 5 most luxurious villas and palaces in Rome

The appearance of modern Rome, starting from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, was largely formed by the villas and palaces of noble Italian families. Of course, in terms of scale, they cannot be compared with the buildings of the Antiquity, such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, but in terms of grace of form and richness of content, they will delight any connoisseur of architecture.
Read More
Rome in December
Cities of Italy

Rome in December

The beginning of December in Rome is traditionally a low season. Tourists are relatively few, and among those who visit the capital of Italy during this period, school trips prevail and those who like to save on accommodation and flights. Toward the end of the month, the situation is changing rapidly. On Christmas Eve, Rome is experiencing a true pilgrimage of tourists arriving from all over the world to take part in the celebrations in the Vatican.
Read More
Rome in June
Cities of Italy

Rome in June

June in Rome is a peculiar transitional period from spring to summer: at the beginning of the month the weather is still soft in spring, ideal for walking and sightseeing, but by the end of June the heat comes to the capital of Italy. However, real tourists cannot be frightened by the summer heat, their number is growing along with a rise in temperature, so when planning to visit popular attractions, museums and exhibitions, you need to be prepared for long lines.
Read More