The Fountain of Neptune in Piazza dei Nettuno, Bologna Italy
Fountain of Neptune is a monumental civic fountain located in the eponymous square Piazza del Nettuno next to Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, Italy The fountain is a model example of Mannerist taste of the Italian courtly elite in the mid-sixteenth century. Because of its size, the statue of Neptune is called “il Gigante” (the Giant) or “al Żigànt” in Bolognese dialect. It was built in 1566 according to the inscription at the base of the fountain “to serve the people”; namely to beautify the Piazza Maggiore because it was a stop on the route between the Archiginnasio and the Palazzo del Comune. Freshly elected Cardinal Carlo Borromeo was responsible for wanting the Piazza Maggiore improvements. The work was meant to symbolize the happy rule of Pope Pius IV his maternal uncle. As of December 2017 restoration work has been completed and the Neptune is back on view. Neptune was feeling its 450 years and was under restoration by scaffolding. The restoration work is meant to remove dirt sediments and corrosive products to clean the stone materials and renovate the hydraulic system. In addition some structural problems came to light and the Neptune Fountain was under restoration until September 2017. It is now open and completely restored.
Size: 4800px × 3696px
Location: Piazza Maggiore, Bologna, Italy
Photo credit: © Burton Zaro / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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