Fontana in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere
Fontana in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere
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The area
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Neighborhood: Trastevere
Trastevere ("beyond the Tiber") is like a faded postcard, a little worn around the edges but still charming. With its wide-open piazzas, meandering streets, weathered Renaissance buildings, and overgrown personality, it's become an irresistible mecca for visitors. Trastevere is an enclave of entertainment - a rotating set of street performers entertains almost every night, and unforgettable eateries and bars pepper its piazzas and side streets. For a trip to the past, visit the southern and western flanks of Trastevere for pockets of yesteryear, less traversed areas with a residual 1960s and 70s Roman vibe.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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81 reviews
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Noraatc
Sudbury, MA40,562 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
There are so many beautiful fountains in Rome, but Fontana di Santa Maria in Trastevere is special: it is the oldest fountain, which dates back to the 8th century AD. Many famous sculptors and architects (Bernini, Bramante, Rinaldi) contributed to its redesign over the course of several centuries. Lovely spot in the heart of Trastevere.
Written January 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China180,131 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
It seems there has been a fountain at this location in the middle of Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere at least since the 8th century, potentially making this the oldest in the entire city of Rome. Several notable Italian architects designed and modified the fountain you see today from the early 16th-century onward including the likes of Donato Bramante, Carlo Rainaldi, Bernini and Carlo Fontana.
What you find is a bowl style basin placed on a pedestal in the middle of an octagonal shaped basin with ornamentation including inward facing sculpted sea shells with Coat of Arms facing outward away from the fountain which is surrounded by set of seven steps up the basin. It is a nice fountain worth spending a moment to look-over if you plan on visiting Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere.
What you find is a bowl style basin placed on a pedestal in the middle of an octagonal shaped basin with ornamentation including inward facing sculpted sea shells with Coat of Arms facing outward away from the fountain which is surrounded by set of seven steps up the basin. It is a nice fountain worth spending a moment to look-over if you plan on visiting Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere.
Written May 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rui_F74
Santo Tirso, Portugal18,533 contributions
May 2023
It is one of the oldest fountains in the city.
Built in the second half of the century. XV, is a work by Donato Bramante (1444-1514) and has had some changes over time, the last intervention being in 1873.
In the highest part there was a container that seemed to have no water in it. At the bottom there was already running water, but not very significant, coming out of four shells facing outward and with the inscription SPQR to be seen from all sides. It is these eye-catching shells that give the fountain its beauty.
It is customary for people to sit on its seven steps around the octagonal-shaped tank.
Built in the second half of the century. XV, is a work by Donato Bramante (1444-1514) and has had some changes over time, the last intervention being in 1873.
In the highest part there was a container that seemed to have no water in it. At the bottom there was already running water, but not very significant, coming out of four shells facing outward and with the inscription SPQR to be seen from all sides. It is these eye-catching shells that give the fountain its beauty.
It is customary for people to sit on its seven steps around the octagonal-shaped tank.
Written August 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN7,471 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Located at the piazza in front of the Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere. The fountain isn't overly interesting in its design but is historically significant as it is thought to be the oldest fountain in the city of Rome dating back to the 8th century. It has been rebuilt and modified several times. The present fountain is attributed to Donato Bramante, the architect of St Peter's Basilica, with later modifications by Bernini and Carlo Fontana.
Written December 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,961 contributions
Jun 2022
It’s not large or extravagant like some of Rome’s famous fountains but it is the oldest, dating back to the 8th century. Some claim that it’s older, maybe going back as far as the 1st century BC and that perhaps the emperor, Augustus even had a hand in constructing the original version.
Over the centuries, it’s seen a few changes and had a few facelifts.
What you see here today, is largely based on the 15th century design by Bramante. This was one of his smaller projects - he is most famous for his work on St. Peter’s Basilica.
Modifications were added by the equally famous artists Gian Bernini and Carlo Fontana.
The main features are a large, elevated, octagonal basin with four over-sized sculpted shells around the edge of the basin. In its centre is a smaller, circular pedestal fountain which looks much like an over-sized birdbath. If you look closely, you can see 7 tiny wolves’ heads, with water spouting from their mouths. Unlike the giant shell decorations, they are very discreet and you can easily overlook them.
The fountain sits in the middle of Trastevere’s main piazza and in front of the 12th century Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. We spent a few hours exploring the Trastevere area and the fountain stairs were a very nice spot to sit and enjoy the old-world atmosphere and the sun.
Over the centuries, it’s seen a few changes and had a few facelifts.
What you see here today, is largely based on the 15th century design by Bramante. This was one of his smaller projects - he is most famous for his work on St. Peter’s Basilica.
Modifications were added by the equally famous artists Gian Bernini and Carlo Fontana.
The main features are a large, elevated, octagonal basin with four over-sized sculpted shells around the edge of the basin. In its centre is a smaller, circular pedestal fountain which looks much like an over-sized birdbath. If you look closely, you can see 7 tiny wolves’ heads, with water spouting from their mouths. Unlike the giant shell decorations, they are very discreet and you can easily overlook them.
The fountain sits in the middle of Trastevere’s main piazza and in front of the 12th century Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. We spent a few hours exploring the Trastevere area and the fountain stairs were a very nice spot to sit and enjoy the old-world atmosphere and the sun.
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Spanish Steps Apartment
Rome, Italy35,906 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Lovely old fountain, allegedly the oldest in Rome. It sits in front of one of Rome's most wonderful churches, in the middle of a lively piazza.
Written May 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nellielim
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia4,002 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
This fountain is located in the square in front of the church of Santa Maria of Trastevere. It is believed to be the oldest fountain in Rome and reconstructed several times. This square is a bustling area and well worth a visit.
Written December 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Borzov
Rijeka, Croatia5,290 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
The fountain in front of the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere is believed to be the oldest in Rome, dating back to the 8th century. The legend says that a fountain of oil appeared here on the night of Christ’s birth. The present fountain is first mentioned in the 15th century, and was reconstructed several times by some very prominent sculptors and architects (Bramante, Bernini, Fontana).
Written April 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L3K
Guisborough, UK1,777 contributions
Jan 2020
Not nearly as grand as many of Rome's other fountains, and you'd probably barely give it a second look on your way to the nearby basilica.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
onceuponatime2015
Oban, UK135 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
We used the fountain in the piazza as a meeting place with friends and our family as we were staying in an apartment nearby. The area is full of genuine Roman life, buzzing as the eternal city always does. The bars and cafe are very reasonably priced with interesting dishes and friendly staff. I would recommend this piazza as one typical of Rome and well worth visiting for anyone who has time when in Rome. It is also an ideal location to explore and combine when visiting the Vatican. Bellisimo
Written April 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
La restauraciĂłn de 1658 es obra de Bernini, no de Bramante, como se indica errĂłneamente en el texto.
Written August 28, 2018
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