Fontana Maggiore (Great Fountain), Perugia (must see)
Boninsegna Veneziano had done a miracle. It was a miracle of hydraulics. He had made water flow uphill without pumps. The water came from Monte Pacciano by means of a forced pressure duct. It arrived at the acropolis of the city through the new aqueduct. In 1275 fra Bevignate da Cingoli built the Great Fountain to celebrate.
The fountain, made of stones from Assisi, was preassembled in a workshop and moved to the square in sections. It is made of of two concentric polygonal marble basins. There is a bronze cup at the top holding a group of nymphs spouting water. The lower basin has 25 mirrors, each divided into two tiles describing the signs of the Zodiac.
In the upper basin 24 statues represent saints, mythological and biblical figures. There is Augusta Perugia, holding her cornucopia, she offers wheat. Domina Iacus, the nymph of Lake Trasimeno has fish. There are the characters of the city, Saints Peter and Paul and naturally, John the Baptist, who makes the water sacred.
In the lowest frame there is an invitation in Italian: "Look, you who pass by this fountain with its bubbling, if you look closer you can see wonderful things."
The fountain, made of stones from Assisi, was preassembled in a workshop and moved to the square in sections. It is made of of two concentric polygonal marble basins. There is a bronze cup at the top holding a group of nymphs spouting water. The lower basin has 25 mirrors, each divided into two tiles describing the signs of the Zodiac.
In the upper basin 24 statues represent saints, mythological and biblical figures. There is Augusta Perugia, holding her cornucopia, she offers wheat. Domina Iacus, the nymph of Lake Trasimeno has fish. There are the characters of the city, Saints Peter and Paul and naturally, John the Baptist, who makes the water sacred.
In the lowest frame there is an invitation in Italian: "Look, you who pass by this fountain with its bubbling, if you look closer you can see wonderful things."
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Fontana Maggiore (Great Fountain) on Map
Sight Name: Fontana Maggiore (Great Fountain)
Sight Location: Perugia, Italy (See walking tours in Perugia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Perugia, Italy (See walking tours in Perugia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Perugia, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Perugia
Creating your own self-guided walk in Perugia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Perugino and Renaissance Art Walk
Perugia today is a well-known cultural and artistic center in Italy that regularly plays host to a multitude of annual festivals and events. The most glorious period in the history of the city, from an artistic standpoint, lasted from the 13th to the 16th centuries.
Perugia鈥檚 most celebrated artist, Pietro Vannucci (1450鈥�1523), better known as 鈥渋l Perugino鈥�, nicknamed so after his... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Perugia鈥檚 most celebrated artist, Pietro Vannucci (1450鈥�1523), better known as 鈥渋l Perugino鈥�, nicknamed so after his... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Perugia Introduction Walking Tour
Perugia was one of the twelve foremost cities of the Etruscan Federation. It was mentioned by Quintus Fabius Pictor, a Roman historian. He tells of a military expedition of Fabius Maximus Rullianus against the Etruscan League and Perugia in 309 BC.
By 216 BC, Perugia had seen the light and allied itself with Rome in the Second Punic War against Carthage. Things went swimmingly until 41 BC.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
By 216 BC, Perugia had seen the light and allied itself with Rome in the Second Punic War against Carthage. Things went swimmingly until 41 BC.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles