Fountain of Neptune

Standing proudly in the square that bears its name, the Fountain of Neptune is one of Bologna’s most iconic landmarks. It was built in the 16th century by Italian architects Bartolomeo Ammannati and Tommaso Laureti. At the centre stands a striking bronze statue of Neptune, sculpted by Giambologna, one of the greatest artists of his time, who also created the Neptune Fountain in Florence. This monumental fountain was installed in 1565, as part of a redesign of Piazza Maggiore. It was commissioned to honour Pope Pius IV, who had recently been elected. In the sculpture, the Pope is symbolically portrayed as Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, signifying his global power and authority, just as Neptune rules the seas. Look closer, and you’ll see the god surrounded by four cherubs, each one representing one of the major rivers at the time, the Danube, the Amazon, the Nile, and the Ganges. At the base of the fountain, four mermaids complete the scene. There’s also a cheeky detail in the statue’s design. Giambologna added that touch on purpose, and it caused quite a stir back in the day. Because of its size, the fountain earned the nickname “Il Gigante”, the Giant. It’s long been a popular meeting point and gathering place. There’s even a local student ritual... Before exams, they circle the fountain twice counter-clockwise for good luck! No matter what brings you here, this Renaissance masterpiece remains one of the city’s proudest symbols. It even inspired the logo of the car manufacturer Maserati, none other than Neptune’s trident. Maserati was actually founded here in Bologna, in 1914!