At the southern end of Piazza Navona, the Fountain of the Moor pairs a broad marble basin with a dramatic central figure wrestling a dolphin. Giacomo della Porta designed the original fountain in the late 16th century; Bernini later added the central sculpture, bringing movement and tension to the scene. Look closely at the marine figures and carved details, then take in the fountain against the square’s Baroque buildings. Street artists and cafés add to the setting, though the square can be busy.
From public fountain to Baroque scene
The Fountain of the Moor stands at the southern end of Piazza Navona. Its first form dates to the late 16th century, when Giacomo della Porta designed the basin and its decoration. The fountain was later transformed in the Pamphilj period, when Bernini’s central design turned it into a more dramatic sculptural scene. Giannantonio Mari carried out the central figure.
At the centre, a Moor wrestles a dolphin. The twisting pose draws the eye upward from the water and gives the compact composition its sense of struggle. Shells, masks and tritons add more detail around the basin, while the marble creates a contrast between the broad bowl and the sculpted figures. The fountain combines a practical public feature with the display and spectacle associated with Baroque Rome.
Looking closely at the sculptures
A slower look reveals how the figures and marine forms guide the eye around the fountain. The central struggle is the focus, but the surrounding details help turn the basin into a small underwater scene. The original fountain included four newts as decoration; during the 1874 restoration, Luigi Amici made copies to replace them.
A popular story links the fountain to Sant’Agnese church across Piazza Navona. It claims that Bernini shaped the statues as if they feared Borromini’s church would fall on them. This is a legend, not a documented explanation of the sculpture. You can see both the fountain and the church from the square, making it easy to consider the story alongside the two works.
Häufige Fragen
Where is the Fountain of the Moor?
It is at the southern end of Piazza Navona in Rome.
Who made the Fountain of the Moor?
Giacomo della Porta designed the original fountain. Bernini later designed its central figure, which Giannantonio Mari carried out.
When is a good time to visit?
Early morning or late afternoon brings fewer people and better light for photography.
Is the Fountain of the Moor wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the entrance is wheelchair accessible.
