Fontana della Barcaccia
Fontana della Barcaccia
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
No one knows for sure what the meaning is behind this fountain, an intriguing baroque statue of a large half-sunken ship that spouts water.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Centro
How to get there
- Spagna • 2 min walk
- Barberini - Fontana di Trevi • 8 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
7,039 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,256 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Angelo SHilliard, Ohio3,562 contributionsAnother Bernini FountainOne could almost have a tour of nothing but Bernini fountains in Rome. Smaller fountain that is sometime hard to see through the crowds and is definitely overshadowed by the so-called Spanish steps immediately adjacent. In the shape of a ship, it is interesting to study due to how odd it seems.Visited October 2022Written January 6, 2023
- Terry MHamilton, Canada4,638 contributionsTHE ELEGANT 'BOAT FOUNTAIN'It is not much of a stretch to suggest this fountain anhors the base of the Spanish Steps. It is not large. The water does not gush out. Its shape will nevertheless strike you. In the Spagna district elegance is a catchword. The boat fountain adds to the overall effect.Visited March 2023Traveled with friendsWritten March 29, 2023
- Skeney57Sydney, Australia21,976 contributions6 Months in a Leaky Boat or Bernini at his Best?Not the biggest fountain going around but is a great Pietro Bernini work. The fountain was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII in 1623 with the desire to have a fountain in every public square in Rome and this was the result for the Spanish Square. Built in the baroque style its name is actually "Leaky Boat", no bull. Split Enz must of visited Rome???Visited May 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten July 30, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
910 reviews
Excellent
387
Very good
373
Average
127
Poor
12
Terrible
11
Steveage
Rexburg, ID3,271 contributions
Jul 2019
We walked all over Rome, numerous times. I don't know why people make such a big deal about this fountain and the Spanish Steps. I guess see it because everyone does? This fountain is not particularly beautiful, at all. One of our foreign exchange students that lived with us, she was born and raised in Rome. Her dad showed us around, he works for the Italian gov. I'm not sure his source, but he said this fountain by Bernini (1629) was a "joke" because he did not want to complete it. Anyway, it's really crowded, and there are plenty of other truly beautiful fountains to see in this amazing city.
Written March 31, 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.
Skeney57
Sydney, Australia21,976 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Not the biggest fountain going around but is a great Pietro Bernini work. The fountain was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII in 1623 with the desire to have a fountain in every public square in Rome and this was the result for the Spanish Square. Built in the baroque style its name is actually "Leaky Boat", no bull. Split Enz must of visited Rome???
Written July 30, 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.
Terry M
Hamilton, Canada4,638 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
It is not much of a stretch to suggest this fountain anhors the base of the Spanish Steps. It is not large. The water does not gush out. Its shape will nevertheless strike you. In the Spagna district elegance is a catchword. The boat fountain adds to the overall effect.
Written March 30, 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.
Angelo S
Hilliard, OH3,562 contributions
Oct 2022
One could almost have a tour of nothing but Bernini fountains in Rome. Smaller fountain that is sometime hard to see through the crowds and is definitely overshadowed by the so-called Spanish steps immediately adjacent. In the shape of a ship, it is interesting to study due to how odd it seems.
Written January 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.
Lance H
Boerne, TX1,280 contributions
Dec 2019
I wouldn't make this a destination, but if you are in the area visiting the plaza or the steps, then of course take a look. It would be hard not to see this fountain if you were already there anyway. It's a nice focal point for the plaza and gathering place at the bottom of the steps.
Written February 27, 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.
Foodie_CST🍽🇷🇴
Kolios, Greece5,199 contributions
May 2020 • Family
An pretty interesting attraction that's definitely worth seeing, especially due to its location and its famous creator. Made by artist Bernini, this intersting fountain, shaped as a boat, is locating on the bottom of the Spanish Steps, so for sure, it's hard to be missed.
Written May 21, 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.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom9,314 contributions
Jun 2022
Just about every tourist finds themselves at the Spanish Steps at some point and will also see this cute little boat-shaped fountain at the base of the stairs.
It’s not large or particularly impressive but you can drink the water and re-fill your water bottle here. It’s an absolute life-saver on a hot day. The water is clean, fresh and perfectly safe for drinking. It’s also icy cold because it’s piped straight from the hills outside the city by a centuries-old aqueduct.
It’s kind of fun because you have walk out into the fountain along a small bridge-like path, as if you are walking the gangplank. Definitely one for the kids.
Built between 1627-1629, it was one of many fountains commissioned by Pope Urban VIII who had the grand plan of building a fountain in every major piazza in the city. The sculptor was Pietro Bernini, father of the much more famous Gian Bernini.
The boat definitely doesn’t look sea-worthy. The seven fountain jets look a lot like leaks and the boat itself is filled with water. According to local legend, Papa Bernini’s based the design on a real boat that was left stranded in the middle of the piazza in 1598 when the Tiber River broke its banks and floodwaters swept through Rome, devastating much of the city. That might explain a lot about the leaky boat.
It’s not large or particularly impressive but you can drink the water and re-fill your water bottle here. It’s an absolute life-saver on a hot day. The water is clean, fresh and perfectly safe for drinking. It’s also icy cold because it’s piped straight from the hills outside the city by a centuries-old aqueduct.
It’s kind of fun because you have walk out into the fountain along a small bridge-like path, as if you are walking the gangplank. Definitely one for the kids.
Built between 1627-1629, it was one of many fountains commissioned by Pope Urban VIII who had the grand plan of building a fountain in every major piazza in the city. The sculptor was Pietro Bernini, father of the much more famous Gian Bernini.
The boat definitely doesn’t look sea-worthy. The seven fountain jets look a lot like leaks and the boat itself is filled with water. According to local legend, Papa Bernini’s based the design on a real boat that was left stranded in the middle of the piazza in 1598 when the Tiber River broke its banks and floodwaters swept through Rome, devastating much of the city. That might explain a lot about the leaky boat.
Written July 26, 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.
serhanozel
Alanya, Türkiye1,103 contributions
Jun 2019
I throw some coins with wishes for good. you may feel good when you watching happy birds drinking water freely.
Written September 25, 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.
JeanPaulBelmondo
Basel, Switzerland706 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
Very elegant fountain which has been bad treated last year by dutch hooligans: one would have expected something like that what happened more by americans who don't have art or history but not by europeans but somehow ignorants are everywhere while a lot of americans are sensible to art and history even more so as they are void of it. So enjoy this great and beautiful fountain in the most beautiful and art rich town in the world.
Written March 18, 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.
Tana C
Robertsdale, AL46 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
Be aware that many sites in Rome are under construction this fountain and the church at the top of the stairs being included in those renovations. My concern is in the fact that NONE of the tours offered or official websites that I read (and I always do a lot of research) mentioned the closing of this site. I am sure they will claim they don't update their websites because it is just the basic information for what their tours "normally" showcase. Their fine print in their contract will protect them from any kind of reimbursement to you if you purchase a tour without discussing with them adjustments for these locations before purchasing. So just a heads up, if you are purchasing a tour that includes sites under construction you might want to ask for the tour to include some other sites and just do a brief walk to these sites as they are not viewing quality.
Written July 28, 2014
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.
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Claim your listingFontana della Barcaccia - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Fontana della Barcaccia
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Fontana della Barcaccia:
- Rome Shore Excursion: Pre-Cruise Private Sightseeing Tour Including Civitavecchia Port Drop-Off (From $355.73)
- Fountains and Squares of Rome 2-Hour Walking Tour Semi - Private (From $77.67)
- Rome 3 hours Walking Tour with Licensed Expert Local Guide (From $210.81)
- Premium Rome Walking Tour: The Most Beautiful Fountains and Squares (From $197.25)
- Private tour in Rome: Vatican, Fountains and Squares with lunch and transfers (From $551.08)
- Hotels near Fontana della Barcaccia:
- (0.01 mi) The Circle Luxury Suites
- (0.01 mi) DEZA cozy place Ripetta 1
- (0.01 mi) Top Luxury Suite Apartment - Spanish Steps
- (0.02 mi) Suite Spagna 29 Luxury Studio with View
- (0.02 mi) The View At The Spanish Steps
- Restaurants near Fontana della Barcaccia:
- (0.01 mi) Pizzaciro
- (0.01 mi) Babingtons English Tea Room
- (0.02 mi) Cucina & vista
- (0.02 mi) Barcaccia
- (0.02 mi) Don Nino
Fontana della Barcaccia Information
Excellent Reviews | 387 |
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Very Good Reviews | 373 |
Fontana della Barcaccia Photos | 792 |