Traces of Nobel Origins
The Fountain in Via del Progresso
Exactly opposite the old Cenci-Bolognetti townhouse, on the slopes of the tiny, tranquil Cenci hill, the stronghold of that ancient Roman family, lies the spot to which, in 1930, a fountain was brought from Piazza Giudia (an adjacent square which has since vanished). Despite being in worse condition than any other fountain in Rome, you can still discern traces of its noble origins.
Above an elongated, irregularly shaped platform consisting of two steps sits a lovely raised pool that echoes the outline of the base, but minus the sharp corners, so that it is composed of a series of semi-circles and extremely gentle arches. Once again -- his "production line" fountains notwithstanding -- Master Jacopo has succeeded in creating an innovative and pleasing form. The baluster in the center of the pool is somewhat similar to the one in Piazza Campitelli and, on the outside of the wide basin, water gushes from the gaping, contorted mouths of four masks.
As you will no doubt remember, Muzio Mattei managed to block the scheme by the "Congregation for the Fountains" to erect the "Tortoise Fountain," supplied with the Aqua Vergine in Piazza Giudia. Instead Mattei had it constructed in front of his own house and, in consequence, Piazza Giudia was transferred to the new list of works to be provided with the Aqua Felice. This time, Master Jacopo entrusted his designs to the stonemason Pietro Gucci. Gucci created the beautiful raised pool, as usual from the poor "bits of old junk" retrieved from a large colonnade near the façade of Nero's house -- the same site that supplied the travertine for the old fountain in Piazza del Popolo.
