Quattro Fontane

The Four Fountains ( Italian: Le Quattro Fontane ) is a company established in 1588 Baroque fountain in Rome. It consists of four single marble fountain ( Tiber, Juno, Diana and Arno well), which are located at the corners of the intersection of Via Quirinale and Via delle Quattro Fontane on the apex of the Quirinalshügels.

Appearance

The four wells have been 1588 by Domenico Fontana ( 1543-1607 ) and Pietro da Cortona ( 1596-1669 ), commissioned by Pope Sixtus V (1585-1590 ) built. With the marble fountain, the city planners striking intersection should be upgraded on the Quirinal. As a fountain figures four deities were chosen, namely the river gods of the Arno and Tiber and the goddesses of Roman mythology, Diana and Juno. The figures are all lying on the ground, but represented half erect supported on one arm.

Arno wells

The Arno fountain shows a bearded, only a cloth half-dressed man who supports himself with his left arm on a lying pitcher (serving as gargoyle). In his right hand he holds a bouquet of flowers. Behind him looking out a lion's head, the back wall is decorated with reed.

Diana fountain

This fountain shows a clothed with a long dress woman, in which, however, the right breast is exposed. It draws with her ​​right arm to a rock from which water flows (gargoyle ). In her left hand she holds a few figs. It is the only of the four wells, is not located in a separate alcove with back wall. On the wall in the background but stone ornaments are attached with plant motifs.

Junobrunnen

Also the Junobrunnen shows a woman wearing a billowing dress. It supports her left arm to a lion's head (whose mouth serves as a gargoyle), her right hand resting on her knee. Above and behind her grow a palm tree and lush vineyards, next to her is one with wings beating, cackling goose to be seen.

Tiber wells

This well shows how the Arno is a fountain with a cloth half-dressed, bearded man, who also relies with his right arm on a lying pitcher (gargoyle ). In his left arm he holds a cornucopia filled with fruits. Above and behind him grow a fig tree and lush vines, from the background looks a wolf out.

Symbolism

The Four Fountains point with numerous references to the city of Rome and its prosperity. The river god of the Arno symbolizes first of all but the city of Florence, which was closely allied with Rome in the late 16th century. The lion's head shown refers to the heraldic animal of the city. The bouquet refers to the founding of the city by the Romans as Colonia Florentia ( after the goddess of flowers and plant growth ). And the reed refers to the fertile, but still partially swampy Arno valley, in which Florence was born.

Juno is not only the goddess of marriage, marriage and birth, but also the patron of Rome. The lion's head refers to the emblem of Florence and the close ties between the two cities. The goose pictured together with the goddess is the sacred animal of Juno. According to a legend, should goose once the city of Rome have warned with their loud chatter before an enemy attack and attack. The vines provide a reference to the Tiber well dar.

Diana is not only the goddess of the hunt, but is shown in this rather well in her role as goddess of fertility. Then, have not only the springs from a rock water and the bare chest out, but also figs. The latter also form a reference to the Tiber well.

The Tiber symbolizes lying on its banks and Rome is shown together with the wolf as an emblem of the city. According to a legend, once taken by a she-wolf the founder of the city, Romulus and Remus suckled have his brother and saved from starvation. The cornucopia with the fruits represents wealth and abundance in the city. The fig tree and the vine are not just for fertility and prosperity of Rome, but also point to the fountain of Juno and Diana.

Environment

At the intersection of Via Quirinale and Via delle Quattro Fontane in the four wells to the San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane church is located (German: St. Charles at the Four Fountains ). It was built from 1638 to 1677 and is considered one of the masterpieces of the Baroque architect Francesco Borromini ( 1599-1667 ).

The whole intersection was designed by architect and urban planner Domenico Fontana (1543 - 1607) created and is also a work of art urban planning. The center of the intersection is namely the visual axes of four distinctive buildings of Rome: the three obelisks on the Quirinalplatz, at the Spanish Steps and in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore (English: Saint Mary Major ) as well as the city gate of Porta Pia.

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