Fountain of The Moor, Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy
Fontana Del Moro - 1574 to 1575
This animated water fountain, whose name is derived from the group of sculptures of the tank representing an Ethiopian fighting with a dolphin is one of the three fountains standing on the southern side of Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy. Piazza Navona is famous for it's outdoor statues and fountains and at the centre is Gian Lorenzo Bernini's famous Rome Four Rivers Fountain. The third fountain, the Fountain of Neptune, was designed by Giacomo della Porta (1533 - 1602) and was completed in 1878.
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This decorative outdoor water fountain commissioned by Pontiff Gregorio XIII was designed by Giacomo della Porto and erected in 1575. The fountain features sculptures of four Tritons and the basin is made of special antique rose marble. The centre piece designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini was commissioned by the sister-in-law of Innocent X, Olimpia Maidalchini, in 1654, in order to give recognition to Giacomo della Porta. Bernini carved the central figure, a muscular Triton riding a dolphin, that resembles a "Moor", hence the name "Fontana Del Moro".
The four triton's, forming a significant part of this mystic water fountain were originally intended to be used on the Piazza Del Popolo Fountain but proved to be unsuitable. In a flash of inspiration, Della Porto had the idea of using these sculptures in the Piazza Navona. Unfortunately the four tritons were only enough for one of the fountains. The reason why the Fontana Del Moro was chosen is still a mystery to this day. Sadly during a restoration in 1874, the original sculptures were moved to the Villa Borghese and replaced with brutish copies, that are still in operation today.
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