Fountain of Neptune: Iconic Landmark of Bologna
The Fountain of Neptune (Fontana del Nettuno) is one of the most iconic landmarks in Bologna, Italy. Located in Piazza Nettuno, just a short distance from Piazza Maggiore; the fountain of Neptune Bologna commands attention with its grandeur and impressive sculpture.
Designed by the renowned Flemish sculptor Giambologna (Jean de Boulogne) in the 16th century, the Fountain of Neptune was commissioned to celebrate the marriage of Alessandro de’ Medici, Duke of Florence, and Margaret of Austria. The towering statue of God Neptune, the God of Sea stood majestically at the center of Piazza del Nettuno in Bologna. The fountain with statues of cherubs and mermaids was one formidable sight.
Tourists were hovering around this fountain taking pictures from various angles. The statues were sculpted in 1566 by Giambologna and the muscled God arrests the attention of every tourist even today.
Giambologna was summoned from Florence to create a bronze statue of Neptune. He created the Rape of the Sabine Women marble sculpture which is located in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence’s Piazza della Signoria.
Fountain of Neptune Bologna – Interesting Facts
It is said that Giambologna wanted to make Neptune’s genitals bigger but the Church forbade him from doing so. Not to be tamed, he designed the statue in such a manner that from a certain angle the outstretched thumb of his left hand seems to stick out from the lower abdomen, similar to an erect pen_s. So that was what the tourists and photographers were trying to capture!
Fountain of Neptune in Piazza del Nettuno Bologna
The statue of Neptune is 4m tall and weighs 2,200 kg. In Bologna, the statue goes by the name of Il Gigante – or al zigant.
Students at the University of Bologna take 2 counter clockwise turns around the fountain due to the popular belief that it will help them pass in their exam. It is based on the belief that Giambologna kept walking around the fountain as he was pondering how to best make the statue of Neptune.
Maserati, the luxury sports car company, founded in Bologna in 1914 has trident as its logo. It is said to represent the strength and valor of Neptune.
There are several replicas of the Neptune Statue around the world, I saw one in Parisian Macau.
Just beneath him around his feet are four cherubs; they represent the winds, each holding a marine creature representing the rivers of the Papal States.
Cherub in Fountain of Neptune in Piazza del Nettuno
Further below are four sea nymphs, the reason for all the chatter around I guessed. Elegantly sculpted, these mermaids had water spouting out of their breasts. Quite a strange and unique imagination of the sculptor I thought. They symbolized the four known continents of the pre-Oceania world. They are named after the big streams Danube, Ganges, Amazon and Nile on these continents.
The fountain is truly beautifully made, I felt as I moved on to Bologna Cathedral.
You may like these:
- Trevi Fountain in Rome
- Horse Fountain Residenzplatz Salzburg
- Neptune Fountain in Schonbrunn Palace Vienna
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Unfortunately, with my job loss almost two years ago, my travels have halted. I regret I will probably never get to see the marvels of Bologna. I am so glad, though, I've been to Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence, Lucca, Portofino, and some other beautiful places in Italy.
WoW! The statue is majestic, must have been thrilling to see right??
Lovely, even it looks strange and unique.
It's always a wonderful experience to see objects of art and beauty. Being able to take photos of them nicely, like the way you did this and shared with us, is a quite a bonus. Thanks, Indrani.
Great pictures …. love the scenery!
You post is fortuitous: I was just thinking about Neptune.
Intersting sculptures!!! 🙂
All gals trip to Yercaud
Being a Saree clad Bride's Maid
Great pictures – I love fountains and am attracted to them.
A great historical and beautiful place to be.
Creative structures! Very nicely captured!
Pixellicious Photos
wow! what a surprise! bologna was our home for the last 2 years until we moved to pune. we stayed near the piazza maggiore/nettuno. i see that you have been to mantua, modena etc! great. missing all those places, bologna and italy so much after seeing your pictures.
beautiful f0untain,last photo is quite interesting h0w the sculpt0r thinks 0n putting the water int0 the breast. the stronger and the flexible
Stellar photos. Thank you.
Graet Statues!!!
Especially God Neptune..
Have a Great Week Ahead!!
The statues are beautifully carved.
nice
Beautiful fountains. The last picture made me laugh!
LOVE LOVE LOVE Italy!!!
Giambologna must have known a lot of our globe, creating these mermaids representing those great and famous rivers. The statue is impressive and your photos are beautiful as always!
Thanks for your visit.
Lovely pictures Indrani.. amazing blog.
Love your great work here 🙂
Short Poems
It's amazing how well preserved the fountain is after all the time that has passed since it's sculpture.
Beautiful sculptures.
wonderful sculptures!
Absolutely gorgeous!
What a magnificent and unique fountain! So very Italian in some way…
Quite strange indeed! I wonder if the sculptor had a sense of humor?
That is an incredible structure. It is worth enlarging this photo for all the great detail.
I'm planning to go to Italy one of these years. It sounds like it can't be until 2013.
This is my World!
These are great pictures of the fountain. I think I would enjoy touring Europe just to enjoy the fountains. Thanks for sharing these with us.
fountain, love it! have a nice day!
Putti
joyous!
Warm Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
That's a beautiful fountain and you took some wonderful shots to share it with us.
the public art displays in the form of wonderful fountains are what make Europe truly special, i'd think.
Great pictures Indrani, i like this very much.
greetings, Joop
What a gorgeous fountain! I found that some of the most beautiful fountains were in Italy and I loved them all! These I hadn't seen and your photos, as always, are the very next best thing to being there. Have a wonderful week, Indrani!
Sylvia