Piazza Mattei & Fontana delle Tartarughe (Mattei Square & Fountain of Turtles), Rome

Nestled between Via Portico d'Ottavia and Via delle Botteghe Oscure, Piazza Mattei is a hidden gem that holds both historical significance and cinematic allure, due to its role as a set in the 1990s film "The Talented Mr. Ripley". However, the square is more widely recognized as the backdrop of the Turtle Fountain, also known as Fontana delle Tartarughe, a masterpiece of the late 16th century that owes much of its charm to the four bronze youths delicately cradling dolphins that release water into a marble basin. The addition of turtles, seamlessly integrated into the composition by an unknown sculptor, possibly Bernini, adds a touch of whimsy and intrigue. It is astonishing to think that these turtles were incorporated into the fountain almost a century after its initial creation.

Piazza Mattei has a rich history rooted in its association with Teatro Marcello and the former Roman Jewish ghetto. Originally intended to be positioned near the theater to serve as a water source, the fountain was ultimately relocated closer to the Mattei family house, as a token of gratitude for their financial support. This shift placed the fountain outside the confines of the ghetto, making it inaccessible during the night when the gates were locked.

Legend has it that the fountain's construction was the result of an audacious bet made by Mattei Sr., a notorious gambler, during a dinner gathering. Unbeknownst to his unwitting opponent, all the necessary components for the fountain had been meticulously prepared beforehand, including hidden pipes laid beneath the cobblestones. Thus, when the meal concluded, Mattei triumphantly unveiled the fully assembled fountain by opening the windows, leaving his astonished guest in awe.

One of the loveliest spots in Rome, where the Medieval meets the Renaissance, Piazza Mattei is definitely worth checking out if only to unwind while listening to church bells and the trickling Fontana delle Tartarughe.