Photography: Fountains of Rome - La Fontana Delle Tartarughe

 

(Drivebycuriosity) - Rome is famous for her fountains. On almost every piazza you can find  beautiful sculptures who spew water. Last Saturday my wife and I discovered one of the lesser known fountains: La Fontana Delle Tartarughe (wikipedia).

 

The artwork was built between 1580 and 1588 by the architect Giacomo della Porta and the sculptor Taddeo Landini. The bronze turtles around the upper basin, usually attributed either to Gian Lorenzo Bernini or Andrea Sacchi, were added in either 1658 or 1659 when the fountain was restored.

The fountain shows four naked boys who are apparently having a good time holding up a plate with four turtles on it. The fountain is not an example of Renaissance street art. The sculptures also show that Rome was then not as prudish as the Popes wanted.

It seems that the many tourists who spot the fountain are not intimidated by the cocky little penises.

To be continued.