Fontana del Vanvitelli (Vanvitelli Fountain), Civitavecchia

The Vanvitelli Fountain is one of the most significant and well-preserved historical landmarks of the Port of Civitavecchia. Located north of Fort Michelangelo, along the defensive walls built by Pope Urban VIII, this travertine fountain was commissioned in 1740 by Pope Benedict XIV to replace an older basin in the same location. The fountain was completed in 1743 by the renowned architect Luigi Vanvitelli, whose work has left a lasting mark on Italian architecture. Its design features the head of an old faun, framed within an aedicule with a curved tympanum, accessible via a curved staircase, adding to its artistic and historical charm.

The fountain is intimately connected to the history of Civitavecchia’s port defenses. In 1630, when the port’s franchise was restored, Pope Urban VIII saw the necessity of fortifying the city against potential enemy landings and incursions. As a result, long defensive walls were constructed, separating the port from the rest of the city. Additional security measures were later introduced, including barriers made of nets, wooden beams, and chains, anchored to blockhouses at the port’s entrances to prevent night-time attacks. Behind these fortifications, remnants of ancient Roman structures were covered, some of which can still be admired inside historic fishmonger stalls, showcasing opus reticulatum, a distinctive Roman masonry technique widely used during the reign of Emperor Augustus.

Today, the Vanvitelli Fountain and the historic defensive wall can be appreciated in their full splendor thanks to a restoration project that lasted nearly two years. Visitors can take a picturesque walk through history, following the path along the walls from Fort Michelangelo to the fountain, where the aged faun sculpture offers a symbolic welcome to the Port of Civitavecchia.