This fountain sits in Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City. It was redesigned by Carlo Maderno who was asked to build it by Pope Paul V. It was built in the years 1612-1614. The water came from the Aqua Paola which was located on Janiculum hill. The water source was so above sea level that it created intense water pressure causing the water to shoot high into the air. As a result of this the fountain was operated purely by gravity, which is absolutely amazing, not needing any pump to make it run.
Its redesign by Maderno is said at one time to be the most beautiful fountain in Europe. Maderno created a base of eight sides that holds an “irregular” basin. The highest part of the fountain has a top that is shaped like a mushroom, which is covered with stone scales, and the water pours over the top and descends downward to the base. The lower stone vasque contains four stone scrolls. When the fountain was redesigned Maderno had the coats of arms removed of previous popes and replaced them with those of Pope Paul V. In the square sits a similar fountain done by Gian Lorenzo Bernini between 1667 and 1677.
Works Cited
"The Fountains in St. Peter's Square." - Vatican Articles. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
"Fountains of St. Peter's Square." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
Its redesign by Maderno is said at one time to be the most beautiful fountain in Europe. Maderno created a base of eight sides that holds an “irregular” basin. The highest part of the fountain has a top that is shaped like a mushroom, which is covered with stone scales, and the water pours over the top and descends downward to the base. The lower stone vasque contains four stone scrolls. When the fountain was redesigned Maderno had the coats of arms removed of previous popes and replaced them with those of Pope Paul V. In the square sits a similar fountain done by Gian Lorenzo Bernini between 1667 and 1677.
Works Cited
"The Fountains in St. Peter's Square." - Vatican Articles. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
"Fountains of St. Peter's Square." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.