Fountain of the 99 Water Spouts — Attraction in L'Aquila

At one time long, long ago this was the center of so much activity in L'Aquila. The year was 1272 when this fontana was built. The 99 fountain heads (actually 93 with 6 spouts) are said to represent the 99 villages/castles that make/made up L'Aquila. Each has a different face/head. Each is a water spout. L'Aquila is known for their fresh mountain waters. The Fontana is also close to the Arno River. Those waters flow to Fontana Delle 99 Cannalle. When it was built people would get fresh drinking water. This was also designed for daily life activities, such as washing clothes. The large square allowed for many crafts and activities using the water. It's amazing this has survived several earthquakes over the centuries. The mid evil church San Vito is positioned across from the...

Wow, this place has a slightly eerie vibe, ya know with 99 heads staring at you while constantly vomiting water is a good starter pack. However its is pretty flippin cool. Each head is unique, the tiling is a th g of beauty and at night( for those who have decent cameras ) or at dusk it becomes a very nice picture spot. Be aware of the long tourist wagon thing, it comes around and suddenly there are 30 people at the place. They usually stay for about 15 to 30 mins. Love this place, although it's a bit eerie, there is also a romantic atmosphere. Over all very nice bit of history, very clean,...

La fontana è suggestiva, uno dei simboli autentici e storici della città. E' localizzata nella zona della Rivera, antichissima del centro storico de L'Aquila, proprio a ridosso del fiume Aterno. L'autore fu Tancredi de Pentima nel 1272, fatta di travertino e marmo, costituita da 93 mascheroni in pietra e con sei cannelle singole. La tradizione vuole che le cannelle rappresentino i castelli del circondario e che parteciparono in modo attivo alla fondazione della città. Le origini sono facili da essere "lette" nel vero senso del termine, grazie all'iscrizione presente al centro della fontana stessa, dove viene proprio detto l'anno e l'autore, anche se alcuni studiosi ritengono l'intervento del Tancredi solo inerente alla parete frontale (proprio dove vi è l'iscrizione) e che quindi l'attuale aspetto risalga al XV secolo. Consiglio vivamente di andare a vederla!

ENGLISH: The fountain is suggestive, one of the authentic and historical symbols of the city. It is located in the Rivera area, very ancient in the historic center of L'Aquila, right next to the Aterno river. The author was Tancredi de Pentima in 1272, made of travertine and marble, made up of 93 stone masks and with six single spouts. Tradition has it that the spouts represent the castles of the district and that they actively participated in the foundation of the city. The origins are easy to be "read" in the true sense of the term, thanks to the inscription in the center of the fountain itself, where the year and the author are said, even if some scholars believe that Tancredi's intervention is only inherent to the front wall (right where there is the inscription) and that therefore the current appearance dates back to the 15th century. I highly recommend...