A Fountain Shape like None Other in Rome
Piazza Campitelli Fountain
People come to Rome's quiet little Piazzetta Campitelli, just off Via del Mare, to look at a charming fountain whose shape differentiates it from all the other fountains in Rome.
A square platform with inwardly curving corners provides the base for a matching raised pool made of travertine. In the center, water sprays from a basin set on top of quite an elegant chalice-shaped marble baluster, lightly decorated with festoons. At varying distances apart on the outside of the travertine pool are no fewer than six coats-of-arms and two large masks; all eight are much worn and difficult to make out. For once, the wear and tear has been caused not so much by human misuse as by the simple fact that the outlet from the pool is too small, so that the water is forced to run constantly down the sides and over the ornamentation. Nevertheless, it seems the architect had already envisaged the problem because he had a channel cut into the base around the pool.
You may be wondering who designed this little fountain and of course, Jacopo della Porta is the name that springs to mind. However, we cannot be absolutely certain of this, partly because his name is not specifically mentioned in this respect in the documents, but more because the City Authorities only provided part of the money for the work, with the remainder being paid for by a number of private citizens.
A document dated April 15, 1589 supplies some information: "For the greater ornamentation and beauty of the city, given that the fountain in the district near [the office of] the Chamberlain by the Monastery of Torre de' Specchi had to be made with two ounces of water in accordance with decrees already made, it is hereby decreed ordered and established that the same fountain, with a quantity of three ounces of water, that is with the two aforementioned and increased by another added by virtue of the present decree, be made in the center of the square in front of the houses of the most noble gentlemen Mario Gapisucchi, Jacomo Albertoni and Giovan batta Riccia, and that the People [= the City Authorities] for their part make the conduit as far as the place where the said fountain will be made and moreover disburse and pay to the said noble Mario Jacomo and Giovanbatta 100 scudi in coin, upon which the said Mario Jacomo and Giovanbatta shall be obliged to cover all other costs and make a beautiful pool and fountain, well decorated, all at their own expense, to the value of at least 300 scudi including the said 100 scudi to be given to them on behalf of the City and not less than the said sum, and to which they must commit themselves upon oath, to the effect that the noble gentlemen Mario Jacomo and Giovanbatta here present undertake to make the said fountain and to spend at least 300 scudi thereon ..."
This document reveals the decision to build the fountain already planned for the Chamberlain's corner in a nearby square instead. The square containing the residences of three powerful nobles who undertook to have the work done at their own expense and to the value of at least 300 scudi, so that the fountain would be in front of their own houses. What more natural than that they should have it decorated with their family crests (which, unfortunately, are now almost indecipherable). The share of the costs borne by the City is certainly the same 100 scudi referred to in a payment made on June 26, 1589: "To Pompilio de Benedetti stonemason sc. 100, being the share promised by the Roman People, for making the ornamentation of the public fountain in Piazza S. Maria di Campitello … this being the order of Master Jacomo della Porta."
