Fontana della Vergogna
Fontana della Vergogna
4.5
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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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Blue J
Havre de Grace, MD765 contributions
Jul 2021
Sadly the fountain was fenced off and not flowing during our July 2021 visit. Even so this fountain built in Florence and sold to Palermo to pay off a debt is emblematic of everything you would expect from the genius Renaissance artists. It is such a statement piece.
There are so many theories about why it is called the fountain of shame. I think the stories about the nun and her issue with nudity is my favorite, but it is worth reading various accounts for the fountain of shame moniker.
We all wanted to see the fountain doing what fountains do but there wasn't a drop of water. Perhaps the fountain was shut down for Covid protocols but we never did find out why it wasn't operating. The fountain is easily accessed within the historic center of Palermo and is definitely worth visiting in the day as well in the evening.
It's truly amazing viewing all the figures and details of this fountain. I wish we still had the creativity of those Renaissance masters.
There are so many theories about why it is called the fountain of shame. I think the stories about the nun and her issue with nudity is my favorite, but it is worth reading various accounts for the fountain of shame moniker.
We all wanted to see the fountain doing what fountains do but there wasn't a drop of water. Perhaps the fountain was shut down for Covid protocols but we never did find out why it wasn't operating. The fountain is easily accessed within the historic center of Palermo and is definitely worth visiting in the day as well in the evening.
It's truly amazing viewing all the figures and details of this fountain. I wish we still had the creativity of those Renaissance masters.
Written August 10, 2021
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.
Jazzumbo
Romania2,190 contributions
Jun 2020
I'm trying to figure out the reaction of the people of Palermo in 1581 when this amazing fountain, delivered from Florence, was completed and displayed to public. They were probably too shocked by the nudity of the statues if they called such beauty The Fountain of Shame.
The story of the fountain is as interesting as the fountain itself.
A must view while in Palermo.
Unfortunately, some of the buildings around the fountain seem to be sadly neglected.
The story of the fountain is as interesting as the fountain itself.
A must view while in Palermo.
Unfortunately, some of the buildings around the fountain seem to be sadly neglected.
Written June 7, 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.
AlexSwallow
Sheffield, UK1,655 contributions
Jan 2020
Loved this amazing fountain, the animal sculptures were particularly interesting.
It is great that you can walk right up and over it- and as it is so central in the city it is very easy to get there as a tourist or regularly walk past it if you live there.
The square it is situated in, is just by the Four Corners and there are lots of beautiful churches very close.
It is great that you can walk right up and over it- and as it is so central in the city it is very easy to get there as a tourist or regularly walk past it if you live there.
The square it is situated in, is just by the Four Corners and there are lots of beautiful churches very close.
Written May 4, 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.
phat_dawg_21
Alpharetta, GA16,976 contributions
May 2021
This monument is the centerpiece of Piazza Pretoria. It was originally intended for a garden at a Pallazzo in Florence, but when people objected to the lifelike detail of some of the statues, the owner, who was deeply in debt, decided to sell it. It was purchased by the city and brought to Palermo.
Some of the statues were broken or “lost” in transit, so what you see here is not what the sculptor Francesco Camilliani intended.
Some of the statues were broken or “lost” in transit, so what you see here is not what the sculptor Francesco Camilliani intended.
Written July 30, 2021
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.
Sally62
Northampton, UK6,072 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Beautiful fountain in the city centre with walkways on two levels although the upper level was closed off when we visited this time. Built in 16th century, it has over 50 statues and the four sections represent the seasons. Also known as the Fountain of Shame due to the naked statues that offended people at the time.
Written May 21, 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.
Canadian Traveller
Kelowna, Canada101 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This is a fountain that rivals the fountains in Rome and Florence. The statues and write ups give you lots of information. There is a church next door that you can climb up to the roof and get a Birds Eye view. It is fenced off and when I went there was no running water.
Written August 27, 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.
Patrilopo
Madrid, Spain3,535 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
I don't understand why it is closed and has no water since 2020. The best way to see it is from above, from the terrace of the Chiesa de Santa Catalina. It is also called the fountain of shame either because the statues are naked or because the city spent a fortune on the fountain.
Written September 8, 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.
Игорь К
Riga, Latvia2,713 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
The main decoration of Piazza Pretoria is the Pretoria Fountain of the same name, made by Francesco Camigliani in Florence in 1554
It was moved to Palermo in 1581. It was dismantled into 644 pieces and buildings were demolished in Palermo to make way. But all these measures did not initially bring a positive reaction, with the townspeople calling it a fountain of shame because of the naked statues that depict pagan gods, mermaids, satyrs and the Paler River.
It was moved to Palermo in 1581. It was dismantled into 644 pieces and buildings were demolished in Palermo to make way. But all these measures did not initially bring a positive reaction, with the townspeople calling it a fountain of shame because of the naked statues that depict pagan gods, mermaids, satyrs and the Paler River.
Automatically translated
Written October 9, 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.
Angelo Z
Crawford, TX333 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
The fountain and historic plaza make for a good read before going and in my opinion are a must see. The fountain has many statues made from the famous white marble.
Imported from Florence. The fountain was very controversial in its day.
Was called the Fountain of Shame.
Imported from Florence. The fountain was very controversial in its day.
Was called the Fountain of Shame.
Written January 2, 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.
PATO-BETO
San Martin, Argentina19,901 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
It is located in Pretoria Square, surrounded by churches and palaces. Its construction was carried out to decorate the house of the Viceroy of Naples in Florence. When Pedro de Toledo died, the fountain was transferred by boat to Palermo. It is not known exactly if its name is due to the nudity of the figures or due to some bad acts of the rulers. Made of Carrara Marble, with human figures, mythological beings and divinities. It should be spectacular, but unfortunately it is a bit abandoned, with a lack of maintenance. I would have liked to see it working, shooting water jets and beautifying the city. It's a shame that such a tourist area is in that state.
Written January 24, 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.
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