Fountain of the Giant

The Fountain of the Giant, also known as the Fountain of the Immacolatella, is a monumental work from the 17th century located in Naples, near Castel dell’Ovo, on the picturesque promenade of via Partenope. This fountain is a representative example of Mannerist art, with a design articulated through three round arches, decorated with heraldic symbols and marine creatures. The fountain was originally commissioned by the Spanish viceroy Antonio Álvarez de Toledo, V Duke of Alba, and designed by the renowned Florentine artists Pietro Bernini and Michelangelo Naccherino. Initially, the fountain was located next to the Royal Palace of Naples, in Largo di Palazzo, the current Piazza del Plebiscito, near a colossal ancient statue that gave it the name “Giant”. The statue, a colossal representation based on a Roman bust of Jupiter, was positioned at the beginning of the road leading from the square to the sea, and together with the fountain became the subject of various paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. Over the centuries, the fountain has undergone numerous relocations. In 1815, it was dismantled from its original location during the renovation works of the Giant statue, and the stones were preserved until 1882, when the fountain was reassembled near the Palazzo dell’Immacolatella, from which it takes one of its names. However, only a few years later, in 1886, it was moved again to Villa del Popolo, an area that soon deteriorated, surrounded by port warehouses. The current and most suitable location of the Fountain of the Giant dates back to 1906, when it was transferred to the charming seafront of via Partenope. Here, the fountain offers a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Naples, in a position that fully celebrates its architectural and historical beauty. The structure consists of three large decorated arches, at the center of which is a cup supported by two marine animals. The other two side arches house statues of river deities holding two sea monsters, and at the ends are statues of caryatids supporting cornucopias. The fountain reflects Naples’ deep connection to the sea, a recurring theme in its iconography. This marine element is not only decorative but symbolic, representing the city’s maritime history and culture. Over the years, the Fountain of the Giant has become a symbol of civic pride and an example of how public art can embody the identity and resilience of a city. Among the curiosities related to the fountain, it is said that its design inspired Manfredo Manfredi in the creation of the Carosello arch, a famous RAI television program broadcast between 1957 and 1977. This anecdote highlights the lasting influence that the Fountain of the Giant has had on Italian culture, as well as on the urban landscape of Naples.