Fontana Pretoria
Fontana Pretoria things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Plan your stay
Posts
⚓️ Fontana Pretoria: A Renaissance Gem in the Heart of Sicily
Hazel PhillipsHazel Phillips
332
SAVE: TOP 5 PALERMO 🇮🇹🩵5️⃣ Palermo is a fascinating city and is home to many cultural and historical treasures, including 8 UNESCO sites. The @townsofitaly “Small Group Walking Tour of Palermo” is a unique opportunity to admire the Sicilian capital’s best attractions and most iconic landmarks. For lovers of Norman, Arab, and Baroque architecture this city is a treasure trove. These are my Top 5 Highlights of Palermo: 1. Palermo Cathedral ⛪️ 2. Church of Santa Catarina (Rooftop, Courtyard, Bakery and interior) 💒 3. The Four Corners 4️⃣ 4. Capo Food Market 🛍️ 5. Pretoria Fountain in the Square of Shame ⛲️ 🎁 If you’re planning a trip to Palermo, do not miss this extraordinary tour. And use code “GRETCHEN15” to save 15% when booking with Towns of Italy. • • • • • • • • • • • #Palermo #italy #PalermoSicily #italytravel #europe #EuropeTrip #europetravel #exploreitaly #visititaly #instaitaly #instarome #visitrome #visitsicily #italylovers #travelhacks #guidedtour #expertguide #privatetour #townsofitaly #baroqueart #mytinyatlas #wheretofindme #roamtheplanet #postcardsfromtheworld #femmetraveler #baroquestyle #baroquelovers #palermocathedral #rooftop
womantakesworldwomantakesworld
2.5K24
The Pretoria Fountain is a masterpiece of Renaissance art that has been both lauded and reviled since its inception. This beautiful fountain, often dubbed the "Fountain of Shame" by locals due to its numerous nude sculptures, exemplifies the city's rich heritage and creative flare. Originally designed for a Florentine nobleman's private gardens, the fountain underwent considerable changes after being acquired by the Palermo Senate in 1574. Its transfer to the center of the city, Piazza Pretoria, sparked both appreciation and criticism. The abundance of naked images portraying gods, goddesses, nymphs, and legendary animals sparked concern among Palermo's more conservative people. The fountain's elaborate form, which consists of three concentric circular basins, is a masterwork of late Renaissance sculpture with clear Florentine influences. The highest basin is the smallest, and the lowermost is the largest. The ensemble is decorated with various statues and smaller fountains, resulting in a visually magnificent display. Visitors can freely observe this prominent sight at any time of day or night. However, daylight hours provide the best circumstances for observing the complex features of the sculptures. As evening falls, the fountain is lighted in a most fascinating way, casting a mystical spell over its watchers.
pegah esmailipegah esmaili
10
We walked across to the Pretoria Fountain which was very pretty although the square itself was run down with derelict buildings and graffiti. We had some great views of the fountain from Saint Catherine of Alexandria Monastery but up close the statues don't really have the same natural poses as the ones in Florence - I know this fountain was originally built for a Florentine noble and was sold to Palermo when he couldn't pay up but I really didn't think it was worth the price. Anyway, it's nice to look around although you can't sit on the fountain itself but my recommendation would be to visit the monastery and look at it from up there.
Marcus HurleyMarcus Hurley
40
Discover the mesmerizing Fontana Pretoria in Palermo ✈️💦♥️ This stunning fountain, adorned with intricate sculptures and lavish details, is a true masterpiece of Italian Renaissance art. Nestled in the heart of the city, it captivates visitors with its grandeur and rich history. As you stand before the Fontana Pretoria, you'll be transported to a bygone era, where art and architecture come alive, and the beauty of Palermo's past unfolds before your eyes. 🌊🏛️🌿 #fontanapretoria #palermomasterpieces #renaissancesplendor
Ivana Čergeťová (#radipsychologicka)Ivana Čergeťová (#radipsychologicka)
00
Occupando quasi tutto il centro della piazza, la Fontana Pretoria o della Vergogna è una delle più belle fontane d'Italia. Oggi si può ammirare in tutto il suo splendore dopo che il suo restauro si è concluso nel 2003. Era stata creata alla fine del 1500 per una villa fiorentina, di proprietà del suocero di Cosimo I de' Medici, ma il committente morì, così il figlio decise di venderla. Fu acquistata dal Senato di Palermo, smontata, trasportata in Sicilia e rimontata dal figlio dello scultore che intanto aveva preso in mano la direzione dei lavori. L'installazione della fontana però, concepita per un giardino, comportò la demolizione di alcuni edifici vicini per farle spazio. La vicenda della fontana continuò ad essere travagliata dal momento che le statue nude erano troppo audaci per la mentalità del tempo, e causarono uno scandalo tale che per qualche tempo l'opera fu definita appunto "la fontana della vergogna", nonostante Giorgio Vasari l'avesse definita "stupendissima". Circondata da una cancellata, ha pianta circolare, ed è formata da due anelli concentrici di pietra separati da un anello d'acqua, sormontati da ponti di scalinate e balaustre. Al centro vi è un fusto di marmo che sorregge un puttino con una cornucopia, gli déi dell'Olimpo ed i fiumi di Palermo, mentre tutto intorno è un affollarsi di statue di figure fantastiche, divinità pagane e teste di animali che versano acqua nelle vasche. Splendida!!
Mario RicciMario Ricci
40
Nearby Attractions Of Fontana Pretoria
Teatro Massimo
Palermo Cathedral
Quattro Canti
Norman Palace
Mercado del Capo
Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel
Orto Botanico di Palermo
Giardino Garibaldi
Church of St. Mary of the Admiral
Chiesa del Gesù di Casa Professa

Teatro Massimo
4.7
(18.2K)Click for details

Palermo Cathedral
4.7
(15.1K)Click for details

Quattro Canti
4.6
(10.2K)Click for details

Norman Palace
4.5
(9K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Fontana Pretoria
Taverna Dei Canti
Trattoria Al Ferro di Cavallo
FUD
Pizzeria Frida
Ciurma Palermo Maqueda
Ke Palle
Bisso Bistrot
BIGA Genio e Farina
Osteria Mangia e Bevi
Osteria Nonna Dora

Taverna Dei Canti
4.5
(3.5K)Click for details

Trattoria Al Ferro di Cavallo
4.0
(2.7K)Click for details

FUD
4.4
(2.2K)Click for details

Pizzeria Frida
4.4
(2K)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
Piazza Pretoria, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy
Map
Website
turismo.comune.palermo.it
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.6
(3K reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
outdoor
accessibility
Description
The Praetorian Fountain is a monumental fountain located in Piazza Pretoria in the historic center of Palermo, region of Sicily, Italy. The fountain dominates the piazza on the west flank of the church of Santa Caterina, and is one block south of the intersection of the Quattro Canti.
attractions: Teatro Massimo, Palermo Cathedral, Quattro Canti, Norman Palace, Mercado del Capo, Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel, Orto Botanico di Palermo, Giardino Garibaldi, Church of St. Mary of the Admiral, Chiesa del Gesù di Casa Professa, restaurants: Taverna Dei Canti, Trattoria Al Ferro di Cavallo, FUD, Pizzeria Frida, Ciurma Palermo Maqueda, Ke Palle, Bisso Bistrot, BIGA Genio e Farina, Osteria Mangia e Bevi, Osteria Nonna Dora

- Unable to get your location