Fontana del Vanvitelli (Vanvitelli Fountain), Civitavecchia

The Vanvitelli fountain is located in Civitavecchia, inside the historic port, inserted in the central part of Urban VIII 's wall and overlooks the port basin. It was promoted in 1740 by Pope Benedict XIV, who wanted to replace an old tank located in the same area as the current one. It was built in 1743 by the architect Luigi Vanvitelli completely in travertine and represents the head of an old faun, inserted in an aedicule with a curved tympanum, from whose mouth water flowed. Important events are often celebrated in front of the fountain.

To the north of Fort Michelangelo, along the central part of the defensive wall built by Pope Urban VIII, there is the famous Vanvitelli Fountain ; one of the most important and best preserved historical monuments of the Port of Civitavecchia. You should know that the fountain was promoted in 1740 by Pope Benedict XIV, who wanted to replace an old basin that was located in exactly the same spot as the current one. Built in 1743 by the architect Luigi Vanvitelli completely in travertine, the fountain represents the head of an old faun, inserted inside an aedicule with a curved tympanum, which is accessed by a complex curved staircase. When, in 1630, the franchise of the port of Civitavecchia was restored, it became necessary to separate it from the rest of the city. Pope Urban VIII then ordered the construction of a long defensive wall to protect the city from enemy landings and incursions. Once built, numerous measures were perfected to make the port even safer from night attacks. For this purpose, a system of barriers made of nets, wooden beams and chains anchored to the terminal blockhouses of the piers was set up at the two entrances. The wall covered the remains of those ancient buildings that surrounded the ancient Roman port. Inside some rooms created at the base of the wall (now home to historic fishmongers) you can still admire the original walls ad opus reticolatum, an ancient Roman building technique, used above all from the first half of the 1st century BC and under the emperor Augustus.Today, the Vanvitelli Fountain as well as the ancient wall can be admired in all their splendor thanks to a restoration work that lasted almost two years. Take the opportunity for a suggestive walk through history, leaving Fort Michelangelo behind you and walking along the walls up to the fountain, where the old faun will welcome you to the Port of Civitavecchia!

The fountain of Vanvitelli is located within the port in Civitavecchia . Wanted by Trajan, and inserted in the central part of the wall of Urban VIII and overlooks the port basin. It was promoted in 1740 by Pope Benedict XIV, who wanted to replace an old tub placed in the same area as today. It was built in 1743 by the architect Luigi Vanvitelli completely in travertine and is the head of an old faun, inserted in a newspaper stand with curved gables… When, in 1630, the franchise was restored to the harbor, it was necessary to separate the port from the same city. Urban VIII had then built the wall, which still exists today and that was also to complete the defense system of the city, just lacking towards the sea. Pope Paul V had examined the problem, which presented serious about the possibility of sudden landing of enemy troops in an area too far from the fortress to be able to cope with the fire of his batteries. Against this danger, nay, even after the construction of the wall, were studied devices of various kinds, and particularly to make the safe harbor from night attacks, was prepared at the two mouthpieces, a system of weirs, nets, wooden beams and chains , anchored to the end of the piers forts. The wall was to hold the remains of those ancient buildings surrounding the port of Trajan. Inside the building forms the base of the wall (now used for fish) you can still see the original stonework to “opus reticulatum”. ***PH***