Fontana dei pesci — Attraction in Salerno

This is a beautiful historic fountain that deserves more attention! There’s very little information provided about it on-site — you’ll only find a few lines at the description of Piazza Sedile del Campo. I also noticed that most Google reviews don’t go into much detail, so I’d like to fill that gap here.

The Fontana dei Pesci (Fish Fountain), also known as the Fontana del Campo or Vanvitelliana Fountain, is one of Salerno’s most charming historic landmarks. It sits in Largo del Campo (Piazza Sedile del Campo), right in the heart of the old town. A fountain on this spot is mentioned as early as 1639, and it featured in the 1692 procession of San Matteo. The current fountain is made up of parts from different eras: the basin and the two decorative masks are from the 16th–17th centuries, while the more elaborate upper structure probably dates to the mid-18th century. The two dolphin sculptures on the rim were added later, possibly in the 19th or early 20th century.

The fountain has a trapezoidal shape with water flowing from five points: from the central niche, the dolphin heads, and the grotesque masks. It reflects a blend of styles and Salerno’s maritime heritage. After the 1980 earthquake, some elements like the marble vases were removed for safety but have since been restored.

It’s a lovely, atmospheric spot that invites you to pause and take in the layers of history around you. If you’re walking through the old town, it’s well worth a closer look!

The Fish Fountain is a monument attributed to Luigi Vanvitelli and located in the square of the Sedile del Campo. The existence of a fountain in Largo Campo does not necessarily have to be identified with the current one. The first mention of its existence, in fact, is found in a document of the Church of Sant'Andrea de Lavina of 1639. In 1692 it is remembered by Pietro del Pezzo in the path of the first procession of the silver statue of San Matteo. According to these sources it should be dated at least to the beginning of the seventeenth century, however the set of elements, which today constitute it, denounce a greater constructive articulation. Already the architectural structure shows a chronologically different invoice with respect to the water mouths of the masks and the tub, but also of the metal dolphins, which in turn are further successive. Starting from these considerations, it can be said that the rounded basin and the two masks of senile heads crowned with vegetable garlands, as river gods, can be considered original parts dating back to between the 16th and 17th centuries. This first fountain should correspond to a water channeling policy initiated by the city municipality, which has been known since at least the mid-seventeenth century. It is in correspondence with the flow of spring waters from the mountain, which in the section descending from via Tasso retains the medieval name of Lama.

Italy has a huge abundance of culture. Eveywhere you go, you'll find many to see.

Fontana dei Pesci, Fountain of Fish, a commemoration to Luigi Vanvitelli, a Dutch-Italian architect, born in Napels and died in Caserta.