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Fontana della Barcaccia - "Fountain of the Ugly Boat" or The Boat Fountain This is one of Rome's "talking statues" (story below). |
| Oris Barber's Comentary: "[This is a] photo of The Little Boat (also known as the Stone Boat). I was a Marine Guard at the [U.S.] embassy in Rome many years ago, and have begun to return on occasion just to relax, sit at sidewalk cafes, watch people go by and re-visit the places I came to know. If you want more photos I can send them right away..." |
| Yes, Oris, we want more of your gorgeous photos! A bit more on Fontana della Barcaccia: It is said that Bernini's inspiration for this masterwork, designed in 1629, came from an old boat beached during the overflowing of the Tiber river in 1598. It was constructed at ground level to compensate the low pressure of the acqueduct of the Acque Vergine at that time. It was decorated on the inside by two Barberini "sun mouths" sprouting water out in a fan. Two coats-of-arms of Pope Urban VIII Barberini are apparent externally. |
