At the corner of Piazza Barberini on Via Veneto, the Fountain of the Bees is a small Bernini-designed fountain with a scallop shell and three bees, the emblem of the Barberini family. Its scale makes it an easy pause while exploring the square, and water from its spouts can refill your bottle. Look closely at the shell and bees, then continue to the larger Triton Fountain nearby. Pope Urban VIII, a member of the Barberini family, commissioned the fountain.
The shell and the Barberini bees
The fountain’s open scallop shell and three bees refer to the Barberini family emblem. Pope Urban VIII, a member of the family, commissioned the work. Its position at the edge of Piazza Barberini gives it a different scale from the larger Triton Fountain nearby.
Look at the shell’s shape and the bees at its base. Water flows from the fountain into a low basin, and the spouts can be used to refill a bottle.
Reconstruction at Via Veneto
The fountain’s design is attributed to Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The original fountain was dismantled during urban works, and its parts were later mostly lost. When it was reconstructed around 1915, only a few original pieces were included; the design followed Bernini’s original.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is the Fountain of the Bees?
It stands at Piazza Barberini, on Via Veneto in Rome.
Who designed the Fountain of the Bees?
The fountain is attributed to Gian Lorenzo Bernini and was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII, a member of the Barberini family.
Can you refill a water bottle at the fountain?
Yes. Water flows from its spouts and can be used to refill a bottle.
How long should I spend at the Fountain of the Bees?
The input does not give a typical visit duration. It is a small fountain that can be paired with the nearby Triton Fountain.
