1. Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, or the Fountain of the Four Rivers, is exactly what its name describes: a fountain that depicts four rivers in the world. Specifically, these are the anthropomorphic depictions of the Danube, the Nile, the Ganges, and the Rio de la Plata, which were specifically chosen to represent the continents of Europe, Africa, Asia, and America. At the centre of the four statues is an obelisk. This fountain was built by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1651 for Pope Innocent X.

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi

Address: Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy

Website: Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi

Opening hours: 24/7

2. Fontana dell’Acqua Paola - contributed by Tour Guide, Jammie

While in Rome, stop by Fontana dell’Acqua Paola or the Fontanone (big fountain), which was commissioned by Pope Paul V in 1612 to seal the end of the newly restored Acqua Paola aqueduct.

In fact, Pope Paul V commissioned so many fountains that he earned the nickname Fontafex Maximus (from Pontifex Maximus - a role that now refers to the Pope but also existed way back in the Ancient Roman times. It was a prestigious title coined by the second King of Rome and held by the likes of Julius Caesar, among others).

3. Fontana delle Tartarughe

Fontana delle Tartarughe, otherwise known as the Turtle Fountain, was the result of the collaboration of the architect Giacomo della Porta and the sculptor Taddeo Landini in the 1580s. Interestingly, however, the turtles from which the fountain got its name were a later addition, added either on 1658 or 1659 when the fountain was restored. Fontana delle Tartarughe is one of the few fountains in Rome that were built not for a pope, but for a private citizen, Muzio Mattei, although the fountain served as the water source for the whole neighbourhood.

Fontana delle Tartarughe

Address: Piazza Mattei, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Website: Fontana delle Tartarughe

Opening hours: 24/7

4. Trevi Fountain

No list on the fountains of Rome is complete without talking about the Trevi Fountain, arguably the most famous of them all thanks in part to the superstitious belief that throwing a coin in the fountain will not only bring you luck and love, it can also guarantee you a trip back to Rome. The money, by the way, is put to good use, as it’s collected to help fund a program that provides groceries to the needy. The Trevi Fountain is recognized as one of the oldest water sources in the city, dating back to as early as 19 BC, although most of the water flowing from it now is actually recycled.

Trevi Fountain

Address: Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

Website: Trevi Fountain

Opening hours: 24/7

5. Fontana delle Rane

Fontana delle Rane, or the Fountain of the Frogs, is located in Quartiere Coppedè, a neighbourhood that is practically wall-to-wall with architectural marvels, so you can spend several hours just strolling in the area and enjoying the sights. Fans of the Beatles should not miss out on visiting this fountain, because this is where the Fab Four famously frolicked in during their heydays.

Fontana delle Rane

Address: Piazza Mincio, 00198 Roma RM, Italy

Website: Fontana delle Rane

Opening hours: 24/7

6. Fontana della Barcaccia

Fontana della Barcaccia, or Barcaccia Fountain, was designed and built by Pietro Bernini and depicts a ship immersed in water. According to stories, the inspiration for the imagery came from the legend that a small boat was found deposited in the center of Piazza di Spagna after the waters subsided in the aftermath of the River Tiber overflowing. The fountain was completed sometime between 1627 and 1629.

Fontana della Barcaccia

Address: Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

Website: Fontana della Barcaccia

Opening hours: 24/7

7. Fontana dell'Acqua Felice

Originally called the Acqua Alessandrina, the name of this fountain was changed to Acqua Felice by Pope Sixtus V, effectively naming it after himself (his birth name is Felice Peretti) when he ordered its restoration, together with the other aqueducts in the city. Its English name, the Fountain of Moses, stems from Biblical figure Moses, whose visage can be seen on the fountain, together with Aaron and Joshua. According to stories, there was a deliberate move to make the statues of the three large to bring home the message that the Roman Catholic Church looks after the citizens of Rome.

Fontana dell'Acqua Felice

Address: Piazza di S. Bernardo, 00185 Roma RM, Italy

Website: Fontana dell'Acqua Felice

Opening hours: 24/7

8. Fontana del Nettuno

Fontana del Nettuno, otherwise known as the Fountain of Neptune, is so named because the most prominent statue it features is the ocean god Neptune battling an octopus. Interestingly enough, Neptune, as well as the other mythological figures surrounding him, were only added in 1878. Prior to that, the fountain was largely bare, although it did provide a steady stream of water for the residents of the neighbourhood.

Fontana del Nettuno

Address: Piazza del Nettuno, 40124 Bologna BO, Italy

Website: Fontana del Nettuno

Opening hours: 24/7

9. Fontana delle Anfore

Fontana delle Anfore was designed by Pietro Lombardi and completed in 1927. The most distinguishing feature of this fountain is its cluster of amphorae, which once was used to carry wine and oil across Rome. According to stories, it was once illegal to re-use used amphorae, so empty ones were simply left on the banks of the river. Eventually, the area was recognized as a new district of Rome, and its residents chose the amphora as their community’s symbol.

Fontana delle Anfore

Address: Piazza Testaccio, 00153 Roma RM, Italy

Website: Fontana delle Anfore

Opening hours: 24/7

10. Il Facchino

Il Facchino, or the Porter’s Fountain, depicts a man carrying a small barrel, which features a hole where the water comes from. This figure is one of the talking statues of Rome, where individuals can anonymously leave their messages, many of which tend to be satirical in form, political in nature, and critical of the government.

Il Facchino

Address: Via Lata, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Website: Il Facchino

Opening hours: 24/7

11. Fontana del Moro

Fontana del Moro is otherwise known as the Fountain of the Moor, although there is still some debate on whether the figure depicted is actually a Moor or a Roman god, specifically Neptune. In fact, this figure was only added in 1653, nearly a century after the original sculpture - which originally featured just the dolphins and the Tritons - was built.

Fontana del Moro

Address: Piazza Navona, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Website: Fontana del Moro

Opening hours: 24/7

Beauty overflowing

No one can deny the fact that Rome’s fountains are beautiful and awe-inspiring. Because of their sheer number, it can be difficult to see all of the city’s fountains, especially if you’re in the area for only a day or two. By using this guide, you will be able to discover which of the 280 you definitely need to include in your itinerary when you visit Rome.