Saturday 6 June 2020
#monuments #fountains
Notice for tourists: in Rome you drink for free. Historical fountains and 'big noses'.
In 1874 the Municipality of Rome built, on the initiative of the first mayor of the capital, Luigi Pianciani, a series of drinking fountains for public and free use, made of cast iron, equipped with three simple vents decorated with dragon heads.
In recent years the "water houses" have been born, kiosks that distribute free cold, smooth or sparkling water. Not many, but it seems like a great idea.
Some fountains date back to well before 1874: small works of art made sometimes by famous artists, such as Bernini. It is worth checking it out: find the list and addresses in the photo gallery. As usual, we tried to put them all ... not just the "12 most beautiful". If you know others, report them to us.
If you are out you will not have difficulty finding the fountain closest to you, using the map that you will find in the links.
Subsequently, the dragon heads disappeared and there remained simply a single curved metal tube which suggested to the Romans the name of "nasone" (big nose) with which these fountains are still known today. The vents went from three to one.
In recent years the "water houses" have been born, kiosks that distribute free cold, smooth or sparkling water. Not many, but it seems like a great idea.
Some fountains date back to well before 1874: small works of art made sometimes by famous artists, such as Bernini. It is worth checking it out: find the list and addresses in the photo gallery. As usual, we tried to put them all ... not just the "12 most beautiful". If you know others, report them to us.
If you are out you will not have difficulty finding the fountain closest to you, using the map that you will find in the links.
Free museums return on the first Sunday of the month.
