Fontana della Navicella: A Charming Roman Fountain

The Fontana della Navicella is a captivating fountain that graces the Caelian Hill in Rome, directly in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Domnica. The fountain's centerpiece is a detailed marble and travertine replica of a Roman galley, evoking the city's rich history. The origins of the fountain are somewhat mysterious, with some believing the original sculpture was an ex-voto offering to the goddess Isis, protector of mariners, possibly from sailors stationed nearby. These sailors may have been part of the Castra Misenatium, who operated the velarium (the awning that shielded the Colosseum). The original sculpture was lost during the Middle Ages, but fragments were rediscovered in the early 16th century. Pope Leo X commissioned Andrea Sansovino to create a copy in 1518-1519. For centuries, the sculpture served as an adornment to the piazza. In 1931, the fountain was created by connecting a branch of the Acqua Felice aqueduct to the sculpture. At this time, it was restored, re-oriented to face the city center, and placed within an oval basin decorated with a mosaic of fish and boats. The galley is crafted from white marble and features a boar's head on the prow. The fountain has undergone restoration work, including after a vandalism incident in 2005.