If you love roman literature and art work than Rome has to be in your travel bucket list. Let me tell you that the history of Rome is, in fact, linked with water since Roman times, with monumental villas, thermal baths and several aqueducts adducing this inestimable resource from surrounding sources.

As memories of those time stand nowadays those never-ending series of arches with a characteristic look, forming the masonry aqueducts found in many location in Rome.

The connection between Rome and its water went on for over two millennia, but had its outburst during the Renaissance period, when many aqueducts were extended and new squares built. The practice of terminating a new branch of the duct with a monumental fountain was carried on, and that’s how many of the Roman fountains have sprung up.

Nowadays, there are thousands of fountains in Rome, and water from these natural sources is fetched rightfully by every citizen, even though it has not always been like this.

While visiting Rome, you can show your appreciation for this precious resource by filling up your water bottle rather than buying bottled water, and also by reducing the burden of plastic to be disposed.

TRITON FOUNTAIN

It’s no coincidence that Gian Lorenzo Bernini is considered one of the greatest sculptors of all times, and the Triton fountain is one of his masterpieces.

It is located in Piazza Barberini, not far from the centre and served by a subway station. In the middle of a water basin are standing four dolphins with their tail pointing upwards supporting a two-valve shell

At the time it was built, this area was considered to be a countryside and was dedicated to the vineyards; So the realisation of the square and its furniture completely changed the destiny of this area.

An interesting fact is that it is the first fountain not to have a solid support, with a hole created in between the four dolphins, technique that would be replicated later in the Fountain of the Four Rivers.

FONTANA DEL MORO IN PIAZZA NAVONA

Piazza Navona is a complex and harmonic composition of several architectural, urban and sculptural masterpieces. Counterbalancing the beauty of the Fountain of the Four Rivers in the centre of the square, stand two basins at both theends.

The central character (perhaps Neptune) resembles a Moor/African/Ethiopian according to the source; that’s why the name “Fonatan del Moro”. This human-fish being, standing on a shell, is strangling a dolphin spouting the water from its mouth.

OBELISK FOUNTAIN

It is a favourite place for tourists because of its location and reputation. In fact, the fountain is surrounded by steps on four sides where people relax while watching the Twin Churches, the Pincio terrace, and the entrance gate of Porta del Popolo.