Fontana dell'Acqua Paola
Italy
Known as Il Fontanone ("The big fountain") is a monumental fountain located on the Janiculum Hill. It was built in 1612 to mark the end of the Acqua Paola aqueduct, restored by Pope Paul V overlooking beautiful Trastevere. Please note this tour is private. Bellow you will find a list of sites you could visit during the tour. At the beginning of the tour your guide will discuss itinerary and calculate his route accordingly. Tour could include as many sites as time permit.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Fontana dell'Acqua Paola, often affectionately known by Romans as 'Il Fontanone'—the Big Fountain. Perched high atop the Janiculum Hill, this is one of the most 'awe-inspiring' and 'majestic' water monuments in the…
Listen in the app2Restoring the Trajanic Current
The story of this fountain begins nearly two thousand years ago with the Emperor Trajan. In 109 AD, he built a massive aqueduct, the Aqua Traiana, to bring water from the springs near Lake Bracciano, some 40 miles away, to supply…
Listen in the app3Architecture as a Triumphal Arch
The design of the Fontana dell'Acqua Paola is unique among Roman fountains. Unlike the Trevi, which is a 'feast for the eyes' of sculptural detail, 'Il Fontanone' is architectural. …
Listen in the app4Spolia — The Rebirth of Ancient Stone
In the world of Roman archeology and art history, 'spolia' is a term used to describe the reuse of architectural elements from older buildings in new ones. The Fontana dell'Acqua Paola is a 'treasure trove' of such materials. …
Listen in the app5The Sensory Symphony of the Cascade
One of the most 'captivating' aspects of the Fontana dell'Acqua Paola is its sound. Unlike the Trevi Fountain, which is located in a narrow, crowded 'whirlwind' of a square, 'Il Fontanone' stands in a relatively open area on a…
Listen in the app6The Skyline Panorama — Rome at Your Feet
While the fountain is a 'sight to behold,' the view behind you is equally 'breathtaking.' From this 'punto panoramico' on the Janiculum, you have a '360-degree panorama' of the city that is often cited as the best in Rome.…
Listen in the app7The Janiculum Cannon and the Echo of History
Just a short stroll from the fountain, you will find a curious Roman tradition that adds another layer to the 'sensory experience' of this hill. Every day at noon, a cannon is fired from the terrace below the Janiculum's summit. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our time at the Fontana dell'Acqua Paola, I hope you have gained a deeper appreciation for the 'rich tapestry' of Roman history that is woven into this single monument. We have seen how it represents the 'rebirth…
Listen in the app
What is Fontana dell'Acqua Paola?
Fontana dell'Acqua Paola is a place in Italy with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Italy |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 41.8888, 12.4642 |
| Last updated |
Nearby places
within a 5-minute walk
Janiculum HillContent1 sections
Gianicolo Terrace, RomeContent1 sections
Museo della Repubblica Romana e della Memoria GaribaldinaHeritage8 sections
San Pietro in MontorioHeritage7 sections
Regina Coeli Prison, RomeContent1 sections
Terrazza del GianicoloHeritage8 sections
Piazzale Giuseppe GaribaldiHeritage8 sections
Colle del GianicoloHeritage8 sections