Barcaccia Fountain

The Barcaccia Fountain, located in Piazza di Spagna at the foot of the Spanish Steps in Rome, is a baroque work of extraordinary beauty and historical importance. Built between 1627 and 1629 by Pietro Bernini, with the help of his famous son Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the fountain represents a half-sunken boat, a tribute to the Tiber flood of 1598 that would have left a boat right where the fountain now stands. The project of the Barcaccia Fountain was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII as part of a larger plan to adorn the main squares of Rome with monumental fountains, fed by the water of the Acquedotto Vergine, one of the oldest in the city. The choice to represent a sunken boat, rather than traditional religious or mythological themes, was an innovative idea that used the theme of the historical flood to create a lasting and recognizable symbol of Roman resilience. The fountain, made of travertine, is characterized by an oval basin slightly sunk below street level, a technical device used by the Bernini to compensate for the low water pressure supplied by the aqueduct. The design of the boat includes raised bow and stern, with low side edges that make it appear to precariously float on the water. Water jets flow from these ends into the basin, adding a sense of continuous and vital movement to the structure. An interesting detail of the Barcaccia Fountain is the heraldic emblems of the Barberini family, to which Pope Urban VIII belonged. The fountain features the radiant sun with a human face and bees, distinctive symbols of the Barberini, engraved respectively on the ends and sides of the boat. These details not only celebrate the papal patron but also add a significant and distinctive decorative element. The fountain has undergone various restoration interventions over the years, partly due to its location in one of the busiest areas of Rome, making it vulnerable to damage caused by tourists and acts of vandalism. Notably, in 2007 and 2015, the fountain was damaged by vandals armed with screwdrivers and Dutch hooligans, events that led to necessary and costly restoration works. Another fascinating aspect related to the Barcaccia Fountain is its impact on culture and literature. For example, the English poet John Keats, who lived near the fountain during the last months of his life, found comfort in the sound of the water flowing from the fountain, mentioning it in his letters as a symbol of peace and tranquility.