Rome

The small fountain in Piazza delle Vaschette was originally behind the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Porta Angelica. The church was demolished to make way for the present day Piazza del Risorgimento. It was for this reason that the fountain was moved to its present location in the 1930s. The fountain was designed and built by Francesco Buffa at the end of the nineteenth century. It used to contain Aqua Angelica and this is noted on a plaque on a lintel which can still be seen to this day. The fountain is now in a rather unusual position. It inside a cavern which is reached by two semicircular stone staircases which take you down to around 1.20m below street level. The fountain leans again a brick wall which supports it. The fountain is made up of a small and very old basin which is in all likelihood the original. The basin is set in a marble niche. Sadly, the fountain is in a state of disrepair and has not been well-looked after. However, it still works as it should.

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