Piazza Barberini & Fontana del Tritone (Barberini Square & Triton Fountain), Rome

Piazza Barberini & Fontana del Tritone (Barberini Square & Triton Fountain), Rome

Piazza Barberini takes its name from one of Rome's most powerful Renaissance-era families, who claimed the square as part of their residential palace from 1625 onwards (the palace now houses the National Gallery of Ancient Art). Notably, one of the Barberini sons later ascended to become Pope Urban VIII, known for his controversial persecution of Galileo Galilei, the inventor of the telescope and advocate of the heliocentric model.

Despite this historical context, Pope Urban VIII had an ambition to embellish Rome with several fountains. In 1642, he entrusted Gian Lorenzo Bernini with the task of designing and constructing the fountain located in Barberini Square, now counted among Bernini's masterpieces. Bernini closely adhered to the Pope's instructions, drawing inspiration from a passage in Book I of Ovid's renowned work, "Metamorphoses." The passage described Triton, a mythical sea god, commanding the waters to recede after the Deluge, ushering in a sense of order and peace.

Crafted from travertine, a type of limestone formed by hot springs, the fountain portrays the majestic Triton as a merman, kneeling atop the tails of four dolphins. He holds a conch shell to his lips, as if playing it like a trumpet.

The central base of the fountain features four intertwined dolphins, encircling the Papal Tiara and crossed keys, while below, the Barberini family's heraldic symbol of bees can be observed.

This fountain stands out as the first freestanding thematic fountain to be sculpted outside of private gardens. During that time, public fountains were typically plain and unremarkable. However, Pope Urban VIII desired something more striking outside his family's residence. The Triton Fountain immediately imparted a sense of grandeur to the entire square, serving as a beacon for those approaching from the city center.

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Piazza Barberini & Fontana del Tritone (Barberini Square & Triton Fountain) on Map

Sight Name: Piazza Barberini & Fontana del Tritone (Barberini Square & Triton Fountain)
Sight Location: Rome, Italy (See walking tours in Rome)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Rome, Italy

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Creating your own self-guided walk in Rome 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.
Spanish Steps to Trevi Fountain

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An established tourist mecca, today's Rome is hardly imaginable without two of its much loved attractions – the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. Magnets for tourists as they are, these two sights are connected to a number of other, not less worthy of attention locations, such as the Fountain of the Longboat or Piazza Colonna and its centerpiece, the Column of Marcus Aurelius, to...  view more

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"Roman Holiday" Movie Walking Tour

"Roman Holiday" Movie Walking Tour

A movie beloved by generations of people, "Roman Holiday" (1953) was filmed entirely in Rome and starred two of Hollywood's greatest icons: Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. The romantic comedy would go on to earn three Oscars, including the best actress trophy for Hepburn, who is entirely sympathetic in a role that could have been off-putting. The main storyline centers on a day of...  view more

Tour Duration: 4 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 9.0 Km or 5.6 Miles
Palatine Hill Walking Tour

Palatine Hill Walking Tour

Palatine Hill is one of the seven hills of Rome and the most ancient part of the capital. Based on Roman mythology and archaeological evidence, this hill is considered the birthplace of the city – a place where legendary Romulus founded it in 753 BC. Furthermore, the very word “palace” – indicating the emperor’s residence (“Palatium”), much as that of other dignitaries and prominent...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Vatican Walking Tour

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Consisting of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, the Vatican is the world’s smallest sovereign state, as well as a symbol (and headquarters) of the Roman Catholic faith. Although only 44 hectares in surface, one is amazed by the vastness of this place and the sheer size of everything. When gazing around in all directions, you realize how much can be achieved by people working in faith for...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
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The historic center of Rome is packed with numerous landmarks and genuine works of art, to see all of which may take days if not weeks. This Rome Introduction Walk II highlights some of the key sights emerged during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, comprising some truly magnificent marvels of architecture. Among the featured landmarks here are the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona,...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Fountains and Squares Walking Tour

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In Rome there is a lively piazza round almost every corner, each with its own unique atmosphere and its own story to tell. These public squares have been the center of Roman culture for centuries, and some of the city’s most popular attractions are located within them.

Most piazzas have a fountain in the center and a lot of cafes around. In fact, Rome holds the largest number of fountains in...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

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