060608

The fountain is situated close to the Lateran obelisk built in the square by Domenico Fontana in 1588 and is fed by the Acqua Felice.It was started under pope Clement the Eighth Aldobrandini (1592-1605), whose coat of arms is present, and built at the expense of the Chapter of the Lateran Basilica. It was continued under Leo the Eleventh Medici (1605), who added two Medicean fleurs-de-lis and a bronze statue of San Giovanni the Evangelist, all lost now. It was lastly completed by Paul the Fifth Borghese (1605-1621) in 1607. The fountain was probably designed by Flaminio Ponzio. It consists of a pond with pod-shaped motifs next to a high base with two large side volutes that frame the facade surmounted by an ovum frame, under which are the stars and the band that can be referred to Clement the Eighth. An eagle is represented in the middle of the facade and two dragons on the sides pouring water from their mouths, that frame a panel with the papal tiara and keys. The eagle and the dragons are the symbols of Paul the Fifth Borghese. Under the panel a shell supported by the intertwined tails of two dauphins pouring water from their mouths down into the pond below. By an ancient tradition on the night of San Giovanni the Roman people used to wet their hands in this fountain, because its waters had the power of driving away witches and evil eye.