Fountain of Neptune Rome
Fontana del Nettuno
Fountain of Neptune Piazza Navona, Rome
On the northern end is the Fountain of Neptune created by Giacomo della Porta in
1574. Originally it was called Fountain of the kettle makers because it was near a
street were all the kettle makers had their shops together with other metal based
businesses. For the first 300 years the fountain was without statues but only had the lower basin,
made out of white marble and the upper part which is made out of a local stone.
In 1878, a statue of Neptune battling an octopus was added in the middle of the
fountain by Antonio della Bitta. Gregorio Zappalà, created the other 8 marine
sculptures featuring two sea horses, two cherubs, two dolphins, and two sea nymphs.
Those features were added to fit in with the theme of the other fountains in Piazza
Navona.
There is another fountain dedicated to Neptune which stands in Piazza del Popolo. It was created
by the architect Giuseppe Valadier who actually did most of that area in the early 1800. Neptune
was very beloved in those days. Remember that Italy is surrounded by the sea and in most part of
the Regions of Italy a lot of people used to be fishermen. Neptune was the Roman God of the sea
and freshwater. He was also usually represented during horse races because he was patron of
horse-racing. Neptune is often pictured with his triumphal chariot being pulled by two sea
horses.
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