"A stone's throw from Via dei Condotti (at the height of the Hotel d'Inghilterra) right in front of Palazzo Torlonia you can admire one of the most beautiful fountains of this type, whose basin is made of an ancient marble sarcophagus from the Roman era (this one in particular is made to rest on two lion's paws). The beauty of the sarcophagus, although damaged by time, is the marine theme that has two tritons at the center with thick beards and flowing hair holding a clipeus with the portrait of the deceased decorated underneath by two dolphins. At the ends, there are two half-naked nereids with a drape on their heads, two other tritons and two winged genies. The water comes out of the mouth of a head that has a somewhat leonine appearance (perhaps a reference to the paws) and flows into the sarcophagus from which it comes out through two spouts and falls into a semicircular marble basin at street level, protected by a small railing with columns. It was built in the first half of the 19th century based on a design by Antonio Sarti who had been commissioned to restore and embellish the palace by Don Martino Torlonia, whose coat of arms with the family stands out above the fountain between two rampant lions and at the top of an arch supported by pilaster strips. To remind us of the gesture - at his expense - a marble plaque with the inscription, where you will read: "Marinus Ioannis F. Torlonia Dux / Locatitiae domus ab se comparatae / magna parte deiecta ac solo aequata / in prospectum medium suarum aeram viamque laxavit / fronte ab inchoato restituta et fontis hilaritate addita / loci dignitatem urbisque decorem auxit / ANNO MDCCCXLII", convinced that works like these benefited the prestige of the palace but also of the area as a whole. It is a gem that I invite you to visit if you are in the area because it is very particular even if quite ruined. Helpful tips and information? Leave a like and check out other reviews made."

Roberto Cecchini

"The Torlonia Fountain is located in the historic center of Rome, in Rione IV (Campo Marzio), on Via Bocca di Leone.

The fountain, still in perfect working order today, was created in the 19th century on the wall of the recess facing the impressive 17th-century Palazzo Torlonia.

Like many of Rome's fountains, it was created using various archaeological finds from ancient Rome. Its façade is framed by two pilasters with round arches, featuring the Torlonia coat of arms supported by two splendid rampant lions. Below this is a large rectangular plaque indicating that the fountain was commissioned by Duke Don Marino Torlonia on land he owned.

The most notable of the works is the beautiful Roman sarcophagus (2nd-3rd century AD). The clypeus contains the bust of a man in a toga, and on each side are symmetrically depicted two fauns and a young, bare-breasted woman. Below, two large lion paws rest on marble blocks set in a semicircular marble basin at ground level.

At the top is a grotesque mask, with a spout pointing from its mouth, from which water pours into the sarcophagus. The sarcophagus, in turn, has two spouts on the lower right and left, from which water pours into the semicircular basin with a rounded edge.

The work has double protection: a low metal railing shaped like the basin, and four granite columns inside it.

The work is in fair condition considering its age."

Stefano Manzo

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Misiu martino