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WALKING TOURS OF ROME

The Fountain of the Naiads

21/1/2019

 
Map
Glaucus, Fountain of the Naiads, Piazza della Repubblica, Rome
Glaucus, Fountain of the Naiads

The Fontana delle Naiadi (Fountain of the Naiads, 1870) is one of the largest of Rome's fountains and sits in the centre of one of its busiest squares, Piazza della Repubblica. 

The fountain, which was the mostra (display-point) of the Acqua Pia Antica Marcia (an aqueduct built between 1865 and 1870), was originally devoid of decoration. In 1888, on the occasion of a visit to Rome by the German Kaiser Wilhelm II,  four plaster lions were added to it. The lions were later replaced by the four naiads, which gave the fountain its name.

In the centre of the fountain stands Glaucus, a fisherman who became a god of the sea. Clasping a dolphin, which spouts a powerful jet of water, Glaucus is surrounded by four naiads (water-nymphs), whose nudity and languorous poses caused a sensation when first unveiled.

​The naiads were added in 1901 and are the work of the Sicilian sculptor Mario Rutelli (1859-1941). Glaucus was added in 1914 and is the work of the same sculptor. 

In Greek mythology, naiads are the female spirits who preside over fountains, wells, springs, streams, brooks and other bodies of freshwater. Each naiad reclines on a different type of aquatic creature. 

Fountain of the Naiads, Piazza della Repubblica, Rome
Fountain of the Naiads
Photograph of the Fountain of the Naiads circa 1890, Piazza della Repubblica, Rome
Old photograph showing the four lions
Fountain of the Naiads, Piazza della Repubblica, Rome
Fountain of the Naiads, Piazza della Repubblica
Fountain of the Naiads, Piazza della Repubblica, Rome
Fountain of the Naiads
Nymph of Underground Waters, Fountain of the Naiads, Piazza della Repubblica, Rome
Nymph of Underground Waters
Nymph of the Rivers, Fountain of Naiads, Piazza della Repubblica, Rome
Nymph of the Rivers
Nymph of the Oceans, Fountain of the Naiads, Piazza della Repubblica, Rome
Nymph of the Oceans
Nymph of the Lakes, Fountain of the Naiads, Piazza della Repubblica, Rome
Nymph of the Lakes

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    Walking Tours For Discerning Travellers

    My name is David Lown and I am an art historian from Cambridge, England. Since 2001 I have lived in Italy, where I run private and
    small-group walking tours
    of Rome.

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  • Home
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  • St Peter's Basilica
    • Altars >
      • Altar of St Joseph
      • Altar of St Gregory the Great
      • Altar of the Madonna of Succour
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      • Baldacchino
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      • Ceiling: Part Two
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    • Fountain of the Turtles
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    • Fountain of the Cannonball
    • Piazza del Popolo
    • Fountain of the Pantheon
    • Fountains of Piazza Farnese
    • Fountain of Goddess Roma
    • Rioni Fountains
    • Street Fountains
    • Venice Marries the Sea
    • St Peter's Square
    • Fountain of the Moor
    • Fountain of Neptune
    • Fountain of the Porter
    • Fountain of the Seahorses
  • Gallery
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      • Piazza del Quirinale
      • Piazza del Popolo
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    • Street Shrines
    • Old Photographs
    • Borromini & the Baroque
  • Images of the Eternal City