Fountain of Diana, Syracuse

The Fountain of Diana, located in the picturesque Piazza Archimede in Ortigia, is a splendid masterpiece that graces the heart of this historic city. Erected in a remarkably swift ten months in 1906, this fountain is a product of creativity and craftsmanship, brought to life by the talented sculptor Giulio Moschetti, with the collaboration of his son, Mario.

This magnificent fountain is a testament to artistic eclecticism, combining classical Greco-Roman elements with naturalism. It pays homage to one of Syracuse's most renowned myths, that of the Fonte Aretusa. The mythical water source of Arethusa is ingeniously connected to this fountain, albeit through an artificial spring.

The centerpiece of the fountain is an imposing monolithic tub, adorned with masks and coats of arms on its four sides. Yet, it is the figure at the pinnacle that commands attention. Standing on a cliff-like pedestal, Diana, or Artemis in Greek mythology, takes her place with a bow, quiver, and her trusty canine companion. The representation of Diana is said to have been modeled after a Syracusan woman.

At Diana's feet, the nymph Arethusa, a central figure in the myth, is portrayed at the very moment when the goddess Artemis is about to transform her into a spring. This transformation is to protect Arethusa from the ardent advances of Alpheus, who is depicted on the left, bewildered by the metamorphosis unfolding before his eyes.

Within the basin of the fountain, four sculptural groups add to the enchantment. A Triton, a mythological sea god, along with his partner, cradle a baby in their arms as they ride a sea monster known as a pistrice, characterized by its snake-like tail. Two teenage Tritons, astride two seahorses, complete the scene. These mythical beings symbolize the sea, a fitting representation given that the narrative concludes in this elemental domain.