Fontana Maggiore Fountain, Perugia, Italy
Fontana Maggiore - Circa 1277 - 1278
The Fontana Maggiore in Perugia, Italy is arguably one of the the most beautiful landscape fountain designs of the 13th century anywhere. The Fontana Maggiore Di Perugia (major fountain) is located in the center of the square of Perugia, and is considered to be one of the great masterpieces of Italian architecture, from that period in existence. Perugia, the capital of Umbria, is located 70 miles North of Rome and 60 miles South of Florence. This city famous for the Umbrian School of Painting between the 13th - 16th centuries, overlooks the valley of the Tiber River.
Who designed Perugia's Fontana Maggiore? Nicola Pisano (1220-c.1280) and his son Giovanni Pisano (1245-1320), both sculptors were responsible for designing and carrying out the work. During the early Renaissance period, Renaissance architecture including formal fountains and fountain design became a very important contribution to the arts.
The Renaissance in Italy began a new phase of fountain design in which sculpture became prominent. A common type was a sequence of circular or polygonal basins on a vertical support topped by a fountain figure from which water spouted. Even the great Leonardo da Vinci designed fountains. During the Italian Baroque period, fountain designs included compositions of basins, sculpture, and water display. The Fontana Maggiore has stood the test of time in taking its place as one of the finest examples of fountains during this time.
Fontana Maggiore - Perugia: A Symbolization of Freedom
This decorative water fountain not only represented the freedom of Perugia from past Roman rule but was also a celebration of the completion of the aqueduct systems that supplied the city's water from the springs of Paciano mountain, some 5 miles away. Its decorations are undoubtedly focused towards the civic values of man, his activities and accomplishments during his life on earth.
The design of Fontana Maggoire
The architectural design of this renaissance period landscape fountain consists of two polygonal basins, one white stone and one pink stone, placed one above the other. This structure is surmounted by a bronze basin with a group of three bronze nymphs holding an urn, from where the water gushes.
The upper polygonal basin stands on 24 small columns, each surmounted by a statue. The statues represent characters from the mythological tale of the founding of Perugia. Solomon and other biblical characters are also featured, including Moses, John the Baptist, the Archangel Michael and the Archpriest Melchisedech. There is also a personification of Rome, the Church, Theology and the saints Peter and Paul.
The lower basin comprises twenty five sections, each of which is divided into two panels. The sculpted panels describe episodes from the Old Testament, classical myth, Aesop's fables and the twelve months of the year.